Free2Rise News Flash

Free2Rise received an American Association of University Women (AAUW) Grant and is now involved in collaborative partnerships. Several of the girls made the National Honor Society, honor roll, and scored top in the nation for French.

Grant update

Free2Rise received a 2-year $10,000 grant from the Association of American University Women (AAUW) for our educational enrichment program. The grant was awarded in increments of $5,000 in 2014 and $5,000 in 2015.

Partnerships

The National Congress of Black Women Brunch (NCBW) and Arundel Middle School are now Free2Rise Partners. A Collaborative Youth Recognition Event was held to recognize the Free2Rise 8th graders who are now High School Freshman, and recognition was also given to Danielle Nicole Perry, who was a senior volunteer that tutored Free2Rise girls. Danielle is now a freshman at Delaware State University. The girls were recognized with accolades, certificates & monetary gifts. Dr. E. Faye Williams, National President of the National Congress of Black Women (NCBW) was present to speak about the collaboration of Free2Rise with NCBW & Arundel Middle School. Dr. Williams also presented Free2Rise with a certificate for our service to youth. The Free2Rise non-profit collaboration with NCBW will be a model for other cities where there are NCBW chapters. Free2Rise will also be looking to partner with other schools in Baltimore, Prince Georges, and Montgomery County. We will keep our donors posted on new collaborations.

National Congress of Black Women CBC Brunch

Jeniaya Amos, the Free2Rise High School Youth President, attended the National Congress of Black Women Annual Awards Brunch during Congressional Black Caucus. Jeniaya was able to see and meet people who have been instrumental in politics, law and entertainment. Some of the local greats honored were Prosecutor Marilyn Mosby, Radio and TV personalities, DC Journalist, Jacqueline (JC) Hayward, Civil Rights Activist and Sirius XM’s Radio Host, Joe Madison, and TV One’s NewsOne Now host and Managing Editor, Roland Martin, Posthumius Honoree, News Director, Shelia Leigh Stewart, the Jackie Robinson West Little League team, Congresswomen, Honorable and the Honorable Bonnie Watson Coleman. It was an exciting evening for Jeniaya.

African American Policy (AAPF) Forum

Free2Rise volunteered for an African American Policy (AAPF) Forum on “Black Girls Matter” and was reflected as a sponsor for the town hall forum on “girls of color...breaking the silence” held at Howard University. Women and girls of color provided testimony across a range of issue areas, including school push-out, incarceration, public and private violence, trafficking, foster care, economic wellbeing and homelessness. Key decision makers participated in the hearings as commissioners to suggest and advance tangible interventions. AAPF is doing great work for women and girls and Free2Rise Educational Foundation is happy to support them.

Honors

‪Four of the Free2Rise Girls made the National Junior Honor Society, Lauren Lee, Haley Updike, Olivia Gadsen, and Jeniya Amos. Two of the Free2Rise Girls were the top 20 students in the nation for high scores for the national French exam, Olivia Gadsen and Jeniya Amos. Both girls received high school credit for French. Ninety-five percent of the Free2Rise girls made honor roll 1 or more times during the 2014-2015 school year. We are extremely proud of all of the Free2Rise girls and excited about their increased level of confidence, decision making, and leadership skills. Free2Rise will remain connected and follow our 9th graders throughout high school and college.