Social and Civic Whirl: Building Our Success Strategies

Building Our Success Strategies (BOSS) is a mentoring program for girls 10-17 years of age.  This mentoring program was founded by Sonya Phillips/Fashion Designer Stretch Couture and Jamberry Consultant; and Marlo Calloway/President of the Newport News Chapter of National Association of Professional Women.  Their vision is to teach young girls to be “BOSSes.”  It is great to see a mentoring program for our young ladies.  Sometimes, we forget that the girls are in need of guidance and that They Are “The Hands That Rock The Craddle.”

Founders Sonya Phillips and Marlo Calloway envision building strategies to enhance goal setting, entrepreneurship, financial wellness, career choices, fashion outlook/trends, and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).  In other words, develop strategies to build a “Vision Board” for these future leaders.  BOSS in partnership with the peninsula location of the YWCA is the host venue for the mentoring program.

The first session proved to be a wonderful beginning.  It opened with Alesha Brown, the “Joy Guru,” giving emotional and inspiring words of survival.  Twenty-two years old Monae of Monae Modeling traveled from Florida to share information on “How to be the Right Kind of Boss.”  She stressed hiring the right people and the importance of working side by side with your employees.  Sarita Jarmon was also featured as a guest speaker; Capris Elmore kept the day flowing with her operation management skills.  Mentors for this occasion were Kimberly Collins, Lavora Moore, Candy Hayes, Arnisha Murphy, Monier Silas-Lee, Andrea Holland, Tosha Sanders and Dawn James-Taylor.

Please make note of the following dates for BOSS presentations which will take place, each time, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Peninsula YWCA.  October 10th/Money Management with Susan Manion; October 24th/Career Day with Marlo Calloway; November 7th/Handmade Gifts of Love/November 21st/Trashion and Fashion presenter Sonya Phillips; and December 12th Community Outreach Day.  Beginning in January 2016 information will be geared toward STEM – January 23rd/Technology; February 6th/Engineering; and February 20th/Math.  On March 12th/there will be a program wrap-up; and graduation and women’s international month will be celebrated on March 19, 2016.

There is still space for more young ladies 10-17 years of age and volunteers.  All persons – mentors, mentees and volunteers must go through a background check.  

For more information contact either Sonya Phillips at sonyazphillips@gmail.com or 343-7018; or Marlo Calloway at presidentnapwnewportnews @gmail.com or 270-2392.  There is also still a great need for sponsorships.  Look for BOSS to come to the south side next Fall.