Voting For A Girl
Prince George’s Young Women’s Mentoring Group Competes for $25,000 Grant – and Seeks Community Votes to Win
There’s another good reason to vote this season. But you get to support young black and Latina women on this one.
According to a recent press release from Imara Roose Inc., the group has been selected as a finalist in State Farm’s Neighborhood Assist grant competition.
Making it this far, amongst a pool of 2,000 applicants nationwide, has brought them one step closer to winning $25,000 to continue effecting change—empowering black and brown girls to break through systemic barriers and change their trajectory.
Imara Roose is a volunteer-based 501(c)(3) mentoring program in Prince George’s County, for girls of color, by women of color. It was founded by an alum of Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Halima Adenegan, who was compelled to create a resource for black and brown women to inspire, empower, and uplift black and brown girls—preparing them for the likely barriers and challenges they will face because of their race and gender.
“We’re doing this invaluable work, because it's needed. Winning State Farm’s grant competition will serve as a true catalyst—better positioning us to scale, replicate, and customize our model in schools and districts across the country,” said Adenegan.
Imara Roose is driven by young professionals, undergraduate and graduate students who are passionate about giving back and effecting change. The majority of volunteers attended University of Maryland, Bowie State University, and Howard University. Eleanor Roosevelt High School principal, Reginald McNeil, noted that “because of the young women who have volunteered over the years, and continue to do so virtually during COVID-19, I’ve witnessed growth in countless students.” “With $25,000 from State Farm, Imara Roose will be able to strengthen their impact and expand their reach beyond Roosevelt,” said Principal McNeill.
Former mentee, now mentor, Sham Abraham, is a senior at Morgan State University pursuing a career in psychology. Sham was eager to return to Imara Roose because of the impact it had on her.
“I saw myself in my mentors...they looked like me, guided, and supported me personally and academically,” said Abraham. She is urging the public to help Imara Roose win State Farm’s grant competition. “Vote for Imara Roose so we can continue supporting girls to prepare for life after high school and to become fierce fearless leaders in their industries.”
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