BROOKLYN, NY – For the third consecutive year, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Inc. will host 30 dynamic girls from around the world at the BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Queens' Camp for Leadership and Excellence; a two-week overnight leadership development and immersion program for girls between the ages 13-17. The 2013 Queens' Camp will be held at Columbia University in the City of New York, a prestigious ivy league research institution, from July 20-August 3, 2013. Through a highly competitive selection process BLACK GIRLS ROCK! will handpick 30 exemplary teenage girls who are in good academic standing, exhibit strong leadership capabilities, and who have a vested interest in their personal and professional development, civic engagement, and social issues impacting women and girls of color.
The BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Queens' Camp for Leadership and Excellence programs boost confidence and self-esteem by enabling girls to cultivate their writing, public speaking, media literacy, critical thinking, creativity and innovation processes. In addition, the camp teaches girls the importance of sisterhood and service to others while also emphasizing the importance of excellence and self-determination. Housing the two-week leadership camp at Columbia University's campus will bring attendees closer to the elements of academia, the visual & performance art culture exhibited throughout New York City, and dynamic local artists, activists, educators, and entrepreneurs who will facilitate workshops during the immersion program. The camp features a plethora of courses including, signature BGR programs like: the BLACK GIRLS ROCK! DJ Turntable Lab, 'Diggin’ in the Crates' music history workshops, the BGR Empowerment Circle, Taste the World Culinary Series, BGR Guitar Clinic, leadership forums, financial literacy, spoken word, creative writing, and more.
Founder, Beverly Bond said, “It is so important to nourish the next generation of young women through mentorship, to show them the depth of their intrinsic value, and to provide programs that support the talents and skills needed for exceptional leadership. I started this summer intensive program because I wanted to cultivate the emergent generation of global thought leaders and I knew that it was important to create a space where girls from around the world could come together, learn and build with one another.”
2012 Queens’ Camp participant, Travia Gallon, wrote, “After attending Black Girls Rock! Queens’ Camp I've been inspired to not only better myself but my community and peers by setting a good example. Good enough no longer satisfies me. As a Black girl who rocks, I've now dedicated my life to exceeding the expectations of others. I am smarter, stronger, and I rock harder. This camp experience has changed my life and my perspective. The world seems so much bigger!”
For more information and to download a camp application, visit www.blackgirlsrockinc.com.