There’s a disturbing trend happening across the nation. Young women are not only being bullied at their schools but also online. There have been increased reports of teen violence, particularly amongst young women of color.
In 2015, Cindy Similen-Johnson, a Haitian-American motivational author, was spurred to action after she watched the evening news about a vicious brawl involving a group of girls at a local restaurant.
“A community activist made a statement I’ll never forget,” Cindy shared. “He said. ‘If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.’ I felt the urge to do something and bring to the community what I learned from the conferences and workshops I had attended during my college days.”
A first-generation graduate of Barnard College, an elite college for women, Cindy already had an empowerment blog called Goal Chic and published a book called “Goal Chic: Changing the World, One Goal at a Time.”
Cindy decided to revive the blog and create a mentorship program that will touch the lives of the young women in her Brooklyn community. Goal Chic’s mission is to “engage, educate, and empower women and girls to be successful in their purpose, personal finances, health & wellness, and relationships.”
She has been awarded for her dedication and tireless efforts to change her community. She presented her idea for Goal Chic and was selected as one of the winners of the PowerUp! Kreyol Business Competition. She has also been nominated and invited as a changemaker to the first United State of Women Summit convened by First Lady Michelle Obama and the White House.
On Thursday, October 20, 2016, she will host a “Take Care of Your Purpose” Workshop for young women to be held at The Bridge Multicultural Advocacy Project (1894 Flatbush Avenue, New York, NY 11210) from 6pm-7:30pm. It’s the first installment of “Take Care of Yourself” four-part workshop series. Admission is free. To RSVP, register at goalchic.eventbrite.com.
Cindy said, “The Workshop will help young women discover their talents and goals, and understand how they can develop, protect, and nurture their purpose.” The featured speaker is Ms. Cena Martin, a Motivational Speaker and Lifestyle Expert.
Goal Chic is also partnering with the Bridge Multicultural and Advocacy Project for Haiti relief efforts. The country was devastated by Category 4 Hurricane Matthew on October 4, 2016. Individuals have the opportunity to donate the following items at BRIDGE MCP’s location:
-First Aid Kits
-Sanitary Wipes
-Medical Supplies
-Hygiene Products
-Water Filtration Supplies
-Water Bottles
