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OUR MISSIONWe help girls develop into women who achieve their dreams and fill the roles of leadership in this nation and world.
OUR VALUES
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OUR STORY
In 2012, our founder Joy Lindsay lost her younger sister, Kimberly Anyce Lindsay, to gun violence. Kimberly lived her life in service of others; she believed deeply in the power within each girl. Joy became determined to preserve her sister’s legacy.
She started by writing a children’s book, “When a Butterfly Choose to Fly,” that dealt with themes of sisterhood, loss, and change. Joy then shared the book with hundreds of students in Newark, New Jersey. On her school visits, she realized how many young women had stories of their own to tell. She wanted to help them do it. Joy saw that the writing process wouldn’t just be educational--it would be healing, empowering, and build a community of girls who were unafraid to raise their voices.
So Joy launched Butterfly Dreamz with that bold vision: to use stories to change lives and empower a generation of young female leaders. In honor of Kim, we would rally around the image of a fearless butterfly, and center around three goals--to live boldly, dream big, and fly high.
Joy formed our Advisory Board to help her execute her vision. Since our first program pilot in 2015, we have earned over $100,000 in outside funds, gained almost 3,000 social media followers, built over 50 partnerships with local community organizations, schools, and businesses, and published 4 young adult books. More importantly, we frequently hear from our girls that we’re changing their lives. In the 2016-17 school year, 100% (6/6) of the seniors in our Girls Club pilot program secured admission into college (5/6) or a job training program (1/6). Additionally, 100% (15/15) of our program participants felt that the Girls Club program was instrumental in helping them set and achieve personal and scholastic goals, including increasing their GPAs, improving relationships with family members and friends, finding employment, and saving money. According to one of our students, “Butterfly Dreamz teaches girls that nothing is impossible.” That’s exactly how we want them to feel.
She started by writing a children’s book, “When a Butterfly Choose to Fly,” that dealt with themes of sisterhood, loss, and change. Joy then shared the book with hundreds of students in Newark, New Jersey. On her school visits, she realized how many young women had stories of their own to tell. She wanted to help them do it. Joy saw that the writing process wouldn’t just be educational--it would be healing, empowering, and build a community of girls who were unafraid to raise their voices.
So Joy launched Butterfly Dreamz with that bold vision: to use stories to change lives and empower a generation of young female leaders. In honor of Kim, we would rally around the image of a fearless butterfly, and center around three goals--to live boldly, dream big, and fly high.
Joy formed our Advisory Board to help her execute her vision. Since our first program pilot in 2015, we have earned over $100,000 in outside funds, gained almost 3,000 social media followers, built over 50 partnerships with local community organizations, schools, and businesses, and published 4 young adult books. More importantly, we frequently hear from our girls that we’re changing their lives. In the 2016-17 school year, 100% (6/6) of the seniors in our Girls Club pilot program secured admission into college (5/6) or a job training program (1/6). Additionally, 100% (15/15) of our program participants felt that the Girls Club program was instrumental in helping them set and achieve personal and scholastic goals, including increasing their GPAs, improving relationships with family members and friends, finding employment, and saving money. According to one of our students, “Butterfly Dreamz teaches girls that nothing is impossible.” That’s exactly how we want them to feel.
OUR NAME
In Kim's honor, Butterfly represents courage, strength, and boldness, the same qualities we awaken in our girls through our books and programs. We spell Dreamz with a “z”. We know it’s different. We know it’s not spelled that way in the dictionary. Leadership means breaking with convention. Time and time again, the world tells our young women that they’re not meant for greatness. For centuries, the halls of power have looked a certain way--largely white and male. The young women of Butterfly Dreamz are stepping up and stepping in. Some will be uncomfortable. Some will say they just don’t “fit.” That they’re too loud, too bold, flying too high. We say--fly higher, get louder, be bolder. Make change.
ADVISORY BOARD
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Joy Lindsay
Joy Lindsay has worked in consulting, finance, and public education management. She is the author of the children’s book, When a Butterfly Chooses to Fly and the young adult activity book, The HerStory Journal. Joy holds a BBA in Finance from Howard University and an MPA in Nonprofit Management from NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. She is a proud member of the North Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Joy is passionate about education and youth. She hopes to use her diverse skills and background to ensure all children have equitable access to quality education and the opportunity to pursue their dreams. joy@butterflydreamz.org |
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Tashiah Singleton
Tashiah Singleton is committed to serving youth and young adults by helping them recognize their potential and exposing them to various educational and career opportunities. She is a member of Metropolitan Baptist Church, where she serves on the Education Ministry and the Liturgical Dance Ministry. Tashiah has worked in government, as well as charter and public education. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice and graduated with Honors distinction from Rutgers University. Tashiah writes weekly on her blog, TalkswithT, which serves as an open forum to engage community members and keep conversations going. tashiah@butterflydreamz.org |
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Tiffany Davis
Tiffany Davis has served as an advocate for low-income elderly residents in Washington, DC and for victims of various crimes in the State of Maryland. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Print Journalism from Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, North Carolina and her J.D. from the historic Howard University School of Law where she focused her studies on public interest law. Tiffany is licensed to practice in the state of Maryland and lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband and children. She enjoys hiking, volleyball and mentoring youth. |
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Heather Lindsay
Heather Lindsay is a highly successful leader with over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She is the divisional vice president in Healthcare Services Corporation (BCBS IL, TX, NM, OK & MT) Government Programs Division overseeing Enterprise Medicaid Operations. She holds a BS from Chicago State University and an MPA from Indiana University Northwest. Butterfly Dreamz is personal for Ms. Lindsay as the mom of Kimberly Anyce Lindsay. She is humbled by the act of love in one sharing their personal stories with others and uses Butterfly Dreamz as an outlet to help heal the pain while inspiring others. |
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Tony Lindsay
Tony Lindsay is the author of seven novels and two short story collections. He has published book critiques and reviews for Black Issue’s Book Review and contributed to a number of anthologies and online content. Tony writes bimonthly articles for Conversations magazine, and he writes non-fiction book reviews for Hartman Publishing’s N’DIGO. Tony has an MFA in Creative Writing from Chicago State University, and a Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Illinois – Chicago. He teaches at Ivy Tech Community College, South Suburban College and Westwood College. You can connect with Tony by visiting his website: www.pen-4-hire.com. |
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Cathy Bristow
Cathy Bristow is founder and principal of BRIDGES Consulting. Cathy’s expertise in change management and leadership has been honed through many experiences, including being the first woman and African American chief union negotiator in the wine industry. Cathy’s clients include Fortune 500 corporations, universities, and community-based businesses and nonprofits. She is an adjunct professor at Cornell School of Labor Relations and is a certified executive coach. Cathy participates in the International Public Policy Institute and is a board member of Community Meditation Center. She is also an active member in First Corinthian Baptist Church. Cathy holds many awards for her leadership and service to the global community. She earned a BS from Wheelock College, a Lamaze Certificate from UCLA School of Nursing and an MBA from Pepperdine University. You can learn more about Cathy at www.cathybristow.com. |
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Jessica DeLucia
Jessica M. DeLucia, founder and owner of Keys to Literacy and Learning, LLC, has always loved working with her students and their families. Jessica’s strong literacy background has developed through her roles as an educator, literacy coach, research partner, and entrepreneur. Jessica completed her undergraduate program at Salve Regina University, specializing in both Elementary and Special Education and her master’s degree in Literacy Education from New York University. Currently, Jessica is proud to be an adjunct professor in the Master of Literacy program at NYU and the Curriculum and Teaching Department at Hunter College, as she supports and inspires other educators to become literacy experts. Jessica's company has grown exponentially and prides itself with a brilliant and talented team of educators that all believe collaboration and customized education is the key to student achievement. |
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Giona Jefferson
Giona Jefferson is a television host, producer, and writer based in Brooklyn, New York. She is the upcoming host and producer of Brooklyn Lately, a new web talk show slated to launch in the fall of 2015. Prior to her career in media, Giona worked at the Department of Justice, and is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Howard University. |
