La’Keisha Gray-Sewell, Founder & Executive Director, of the Girls Like Me Project, and 2020 Chicago Peace Fellow speaks about her inspiration to start this initiative, how it evolved since its inception, and how reimagining the way the community is measured is important for Black girls’ wellbeing and prosperity.
She is dedicated to empowering Black girls and helping them identify and critically examine the cultural, environmental, and media messages that influence their development, including negative stereotypes or gendered racism. Through different programs, her organization equips these girls with the tools and strategies to become influential, independent digital storytellers who transform their communities and foster global sisterhood.
In this interview with Goldin Insitute, La’Keisha dwells on her mission to guide Black girls participating in their programs in discovering their self-worth by dismantling stereotypes and negative media messages.
Girls Like Me Project Empowers Black Girls
Behavioral issues in her son’s classroom inspired her to start the organization, which under her leadership has served more than 700 girls through its transformative programs and events. “That initial impetus was also fueled by a desire to uncover the voices of the positive and ambitious girls who are otherwise stunted by urban plight and poverty. Over time, that vision evolved beyond “proving” to others the intrinsic value of those girls, and instead directly guide them to discover their self-worth by dismantling stereotypes and negative media messages that speak otherwise.” she says. La’Keisha highlights that in these times “the vision is expanding to design and test research-based interventions, and also use storytelling as a tool for advocacy and policy change.”
Girls Like Me Project Reimagining What Liberation Means to Them
Community initiatives, such as this one, have to measure their impact on the wider community, so they can better understand and address their needs. For measuring the impact of her organization, La’Keisha brings a unique and meaningful perspective to the table. Initially, she draws our attention to the fact that for too long, metrics of impact have been set by systems that oppress and harm Black girls. “Nonetheless, the Girls Like Me Project rejects those measures and reimagines what liberated Black girls look like, how they act, and how they relate.” Beyond counting how many girls they reach at the Girls Like Me Project, they value changed behavior and their outlook of mental and physical safety as well as connectivity to social supports and resources that empower them to thrive. “We measure behavior modification and retention; how long a girl stays with our program and referrals from the girls we serve, parents, and community members.”
For Black people to become leaders and change-makers in their communities, she shares her words of wisdom. “My advice to young Black people who aspire to be leaders and change-makers is to honor yourself. Truly lean into your uniqueness, do not tuck yourself in or code switch. Honor your voice and your experience as the standard.” Then lead from there, she concludes.
Support the Girls Like Me Project by donating, volunteering, and getting involved.
About La’Keisha:
La’Keisha Gray-Sewell is a new media relations and strategic communications consultant by trade, and a girl’s advocate by life assignment. An internationally recognized urban girls advocate, a media literacy expert, and speaker, La’Keisha founded Girls Like Me Project Inc. to train girls in media literacy and empower them to navigate beyond negative media stereotypes to become global legacy builders. Under her leadership, the Girls Like Me Project has served more than 700 girls through its transformative programs and events.
In addition to her advocacy work, La’Keisha is a published author, having released her memoir and empowerment book, Move Beyond the Block, in 2018. She also hosts Move Beyond The Block TV show and podcast, aiming to uplift unheard voices and stories.
For more, check her Goldin Institute profile.
