We recently connected with Te McCutcheon Raper and have shared our conversation below.

Te, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Power House Dollz is more than a mentorship program—it’s a movement born from healing, lived experience, and a deep desire to shift the narrative for young girls. As a young girl, I struggled with insecurity, especially around the color of my skin. I didn’t feel beautiful or good enough, and those feelings lingered into adulthood. During my divorce, I resurfaced those thoughts… but this time, God reminded me: my pain had purpose. I realized many girls face those silent battles—feeling unseen, unheard, and unsure of their worth. That revelation lit a fire in me to change the story.

Power House Dollz was born from that fire—a safe, empowering space where girls explore their inner beauty, build confidence, and develop a strong sense of identity. This mission is deeply personal—I’ve lived it. And now, I’m committed to helping the next generation of girls rise above insecurity and walk boldly in who they are.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was thinking I had to do it all on my own—that asking for help meant I wasn’t strong enough.

As I built Power House Dollz, I tried to wear every hat: founder, mentor, organizer, fundraiser. I believed that because I started it, I had to prove I could carry it. Over time, that mindset led to burnout.

At one of our early events, I was juggling everything and struggling to stay present. One of my board members gently pulled me aside and said, “Te, let us help you. You’re not meant to do this alone.”

That moment changed everything. I began trusting my board, mentors, and volunteers more and building a true team. And I learned that asking for help isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.

Now I model that same lesson for our Dollz: you are powerful, but your power grows when you build with others.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Founding Power House Dollz during my divorce was one of the biggest tests of resilience I’ve faced. I was in the middle of one of the hardest seasons of my life—not only building a program from the ground up, but also balancing life as a mom and trying to hold myself together emotionally.

There were many days when I felt overwhelmed or questioned if I was strong enough to keep going. But every time I saw the impact Power House Dollz was having—whether it was a girl discovering her confidence or a parent sharing how much the program meant to their child—it reminded me that my purpose was bigger than my pain.

That season taught me that resilience isn’t about never feeling weak; it’s about choosing to move forward anyway. I kept showing up—as a mother, a founder, and a mentor—even when it was hard. And because I did, both Power House Dollz and I became stronger.

Now, when I tell our Dollz they are capable of overcoming anything, I speak from experience. Resilience is the reason this program exists—and it’s something I strive to model for them every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.phdollz.org
• Instagram: Powerhousedollz
• Facebook: Te McCutcheon Raper, Power House Dollz