NEIGHBORHOOD ASSIST
Winners
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY MENTORING PROGRAM WINS $25K FROM STATE FARM TO CONTINUE INSPIRING, EMPOWERING, AND UPLIFTING BLACK AND BROWN GIRLS!
Imara Roose Inc. was selected, amongst a pool of 2,000 applicants, as one of 200 finalists,
and was voted into the top 40—winning $25,000 from State Farm’s nationwide grant competition.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY—Imara Roose Inc. is the only winner of State Farm’s Neighborhood Assist nationwide grant competition from Prince George’s County and will use $25,000 to continue effecting change in the lives of black and brown girls. Through a ten day crowdsourcing campaign, Imara Roose rallied the public and ultimately landed a spot as one of the top 40 winners.
Imara Roose is a volunteer-based 501(c)(3) mentoring program for girls of color, by women color. Their mission is to inspire, empower, and uplift black and brown girls to break through systemic barriers and change their trajectory. To date, Imara Roose has focused their efforts at Eleanor Roosevelt High School (ERHS) in Greenbelt, MD—impacting over 100 students through one-on-one mentoring, over 250 workshops, and 10 field trips. Programming is traditionally held in-person, however Imara Roose refused to let the COVID-19 pandemic hinder their efforts—they will be 100% virtual during the 2020-21 school year.
This $25,000 grant will afford Imara Roose significant financial support to continue advancing their mission, actualizing their vision, and maximizing their impact. The pilot program at ERHS is the first step in their efforts to scale, replicate, and customize the Imara Roose model in schools and districts across D.C. and Maryland with the goal of changing the narrative for thousands of black and brown girls.
Click here to learn more about Imara Roose—who they are, what they do, and how you can support their movement. Play an integral role in advancing Imara Roose’s mission as a member of the executive board, work directly with students as a mentor, help maximize their impact as a community partner, join a workshop as a guest speaker, or serve as a donor/sponsor to ensure mentees can continue participating at no cost.
For updates, follow @ImaraRoose on all social media platforms and for inquiries, email info@ImaraRoose.org.
Features
Finalists
WITH YOUR VOTES, PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY MENTORING PROGRAM
EMPOWERING BLACK AND BROWN GIRLS COULD WIN $25,000 FROM STATE FARM!
Imara Roose Inc. is a finalist in State Farm’s Neighborhood Assist grant competition—
selected from 2,000 applicants.They need your votes—
use all 10 votes every day, September 23rd-October 2nd, to help them win $25,000.
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD—Imara Roose Inc. was selected as a finalist in State Farm’s Neighborhood Assist grant competition! Making it this far, amongst a pool of 2,000 applicants nationwide, has brought them one step closer to winning $25,000 to continue effecting change—empowering black and brown girls to break through systemic barriers and change their trajectory!
Imara Roose is a volunteer-based 501(c)(3) mentoring program in Prince George’s County, for girls of color, by women of color. It was founded by an alum of Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Halima Adenegan, who was compelled to create a resource for black and brown women to inspire, empower, and uplift black and brown girls—preparing them for the likely barriers and challenges they will face because of their race and gender. “We’re doing this invaluable work, because it's needed. Winning State Farm’s grant competition will serve as a true catalyst—better positioning us to scale, replicate, and customize our model in schools and districts across the country,” said Adenegan.
Imara Roose is driven by young professionals, undergraduate and graduate students who are passionate about giving back and effecting change. The majority of volunteers are affiliated with University of Maryland, Bowie State University, and Howard University. Eleanor Roosevelt High School principal, Reginald McNeil, noted that “because of the young women who have volunteered over the years, and continue to do so virtually during COVID-19, I’ve witnessed growth in countless students.” “With $25,000 from State Farm, Imara Roose will be able to strengthen their impact and expand their reach beyond Roosevelt,” said Principal McNeill.
Imara Roose takes a holistic approach to supporting their mentees—focusing on their personal, academic, and professional development. Each mentee receives one-on-one support through the Bigs & Littles program. During weekly Mentor Monday meetings, mentees and mentors discuss a range of topics, from sense of self to health and wellness. Through College & Career Readiness workshops, mentees increase their academic engagement and college preparedness. Imara Roose’s Career Exploration component provides exposure and affords mentees the opportunity to connect with women of color through panels and field trips to spaces where they have been traditionally underrepresented—including Capitol Hill, Google, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the White House.
To date, Imara Roose has impacted over 100 girls and the vast majority have graduated and are pursuing their dreams. Former mentee, now mentor, Sham Abraham, is a senior at Morgan State University pursuing a career in psychology. Sham was eager to return to Imara Roose because of the impact it had on her, “I saw myself in my mentors...they looked like me, guided, and supported me personally and academically,” said Abraham. She is urging the public to help Imara Roose win State Farm’s grant competition—“vote for Imara Roose so we can continue supporting girls to prepare for life after high school and to become fierce fearless leaders in their industries.”
Click here to help Imara Roose win $25,000 to continue effecting change in the lives of black and brown girls—use your 10 votes every day from September 23rd-October 2nd! You must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. resident to vote.
For updates, follow @ImaraRoose on all social media platforms and for inquiries, email info@ImaraRoose.org.