Smart Girls Luncheon - Boys & Girls Club of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County

I was recently invited as the guest speaker for the Boys & Girls Club of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County's Annual Smart Girls Luncheon.  The SMART Girls is a health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem enhancement program for girls ages 8 to17. The program is designed to encourage healthy attitudes and lifestyles that will enable early adolescent girls to develop to their full potential. The SMART Girls program is sponsored by Tupperware Brands.

The year's annual event theme was "Beautifully, Wonderfully Me," encouraging self-esteem, confidence and positivity through various workshops.  During their "Mirror Mirror" workshop, girls were given the chance to decorate mirrors with positive messages as they discussed body image, self-esteem and confidence.  Another workshop, "My SHE-RO," girls discussed positive role models in their lives, how they were inspired by them and what they can do to serve as role models for their peers.

 

I spoke to over 35 girls about my journey as Miss District of Columbia International and  community service that I have been engaged in for over twenty years. I encouraged the girls to participate in volunteerism, to stay positive and dream big.  My message to further their education and attend college resonated with the girls and sparked questions on how they could pursue their career goals.

Following my speech, I was thanked for my attendance and presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.  A special thank you to Admiral Oaks Club Director, Ms. Moriah Smalls for hosting and inviting me to the luncheon.

Paying it forward,

Keia Brown

Miss District of Columbia International 2015

#FinancialSmarts Presentation - High School Events

#FinancialSmarts Presentation for Mischa Toland Entrepreneurship 

Academy for Girls

Through my partnership with Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, we have joined efforts to educate young ladies on Financial Smarts in preparation for college.  I had the pleasure on May 9th to share my story and educate rising high school juniors and seniors from Mischa Toland Entrepreneurship Academy for Girls.  We discussed financial literacy to help eliminate or reduce the amount of student loan debt borrowed while promoting free money opportunities.  

Mischa Toland (Founder) and the young ladies of the Academy

                             


           #FinancialSmarts Presentation for Western High School

On May 12th, I also had the opportunity to speak at Western High School in Baltimore, Maryland on my platform.  I spoke to three separate groups during their lunch breaks about preparing for college, financial aid and locating free money options to help finance their higher education.  The students were extremely receptive and asked pertinent questions about the FAFSA and merit scholarships.

Western High School's Principal, Ms. Michelle White

Another huge thank you to Ms. Marianna Campagna and Ms. Candace Baker from Girl Scouts of Central Maryland for facilitating my sessions and providing endless support.

Paying it forward,

Keia Brown
Miss District of Columbia International 2015

A Bigger Picture's Unleashed Conference 2015

The 2nd Annual "Unleashed" Conference, hosted by A Bigger Picture, Inc. was held on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at the E. L. Haynes Public Charter School.  The event welcomed girls in grades 6 - 12th to encourage self-confidence, developing your personal brand, setting goals, and making healthy decisions.  There was an impressive turnout with over 100 participants for the day's event.  The event was FREE to attend with a donation of canned goods.  Over 155 canned goods were donated.  Ms. Chanel Evans, founder of A Bigger Picture, Inc. organized an empowering program for the day and I enjoyed interacting with the young ladies and other featured speakers.

Keia with Founder, Chanel Evans

As one of the guest speakers I was asked to talk to the young ladies about fashion, pageantry and my platform, Financial Smarts for Students. The audience were especially engaged with the impromptu runway modeling competition in which several of the audience participated.  Following the event several young ladies approached me for assistance in helping them to apply for college.  

 

"Reducing student loan debt through financial literacy."

Keia Brown

Miss District of Columbia International 2015

Girls Inc. Dothan Visit

GIRLS INC. extended an invitation for me to visit their Dothan, Alabama location on Thursday, April 23, 2015.  Upon arrival I was greeted by the executive director of the Dothan Chapter, Jaime Lewis and over 40 girls who attend the after-school programs.  I was excited to speak about my platform “Financial Smarts for Students”, the importance of staying in school, getting a good education to qualify for scholarships and grants.   The girls were very attentive and almost all were interested in furthering their education by attending college.  When asked what their future ambition is, some responses were: physician, teacher, WMBA player and model.

Girls Inc. of Dothan is dedicated to educating and empowering girls.  They are focused on instilling each girl with confidence and strength to believe in herself and to achieve a lifetime of great success.  Their program offer girls 5-18 years of age a space that honors girls, inspires girls and supports girls.  Community focused all of our programs are built around the need of girls living primarily in Dothan and Houston County.  As girls’ interests, needs and abilities change with age, the programs change with them. Programs are created with a continuum of services in mind. Girls can enter at the age of 5 and grow into programs that help them develop into young adults.

Girls Inc. teachers accepting my donated items from their Summer Wish List

Girls Inc Dothan

Paying it forward,

Keia Brown

Miss District of Columbia International 2015

Daisy Badge Camp - Respect Authority Petal

This past Saturday, Nation's Capital Girl Scout Troop #5466 held a Daisy Badge Camp to earn badges for Considerate & Caring, Respecting Authority and Making the World A Better Place.  An invitation was extended to me to be Guest Speaker to discuss "Respecting Authority."

    

                  

I especially enjoyed being with these little Daisy Girl Scouts and was overwhelmed with hugs from all.  I made sure to tell them that although I have a crown on, every girl has an invisible crown on their head and that ALL girls are princesses!  Thank you to Troop Leaders, Mrs. Germell Brown and Mrs. Faith Stewart for inviting me to such a wonderful program.  Being a former Girl Scout myself, I know firsthand how valuable the importance of sisterhood and

"girl power" means to every woman.

   

"Thank you, Miss Keia for gracing us and our Daisy Girl Scouts with your presence this past Saturday!  They had a ball and enjoyed meeting a Real Princess... their words. :) You are such an inspiration; May God continue to bless you richly!" - Germell Brown, Troop Leader 5466

“Helping those who give back, pay back!”

Keia Brown, Miss District of Columbia International 2015

Girlz With Glam End of the Year Party

Girlz with Glam Founder & Young ladies

I was recently invited by Ms. Angelica Bowman, founder of Girlz with Glam to be a guest speaker at their "End of the Year" Party.  Girlz with Glam is a non-profit organization for creative positive change in the Washington Metropolitan region.  Its focus is to empower, encourage and support young ladies between the ages of 10-18, to dream BIG!

During the event, I had the opportunity to speak to the young ladies about 1) building self-confidence, 2) my experience in pageantry, 3) and my platform, SponsorChange.  I have to admit, the best part was teaching the girls how to "rock the runway."  The girls had a lot of fun and made my evening.

Holding the title of Miss District of Columbia International is partly about the crown and sash, but the greatest gift is experiencing the opportunities to interact with the community and hopefully make a difference in someone's lives.

Thank you to the girls of Girlz With Glam, and its founder, Ms. Bowman for the invitation.  I had a "glamourous" time with you all!

"There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women." - Kofi Annan

Keia Brown
Miss District of Columbia International 2015