4 Young Black Girls That Are Making History
Children are our future! The youth are taking the lead making a difference in the black community. This black history month, we want to highlight young girls who are making history today.
KHERIS ROGERS
Kheris Rogers is the 14-year-old Co-CEO of Flexin’ in My Complexion. After being bullied for her dark skin, Kheris started Flexin’ in My Complexion clothing line to inspire others. This line is to bring awareness around racism and colorism while empowering confidence in other black children.
We stand with Kheris because little girls’ self-esteem is crucial to their development, and products like Zoe and Flexin’ in My Complexion clothes help them love themselves wholeheartedly. Click here to see Kheris’s Flexin’ in My Complexion products.
ZURIEL ODUWOLE
Zuriel Oduwole is the 18-year-old filmmaker and girl education advocate. At the age of 9, Zuriel made her first documentary on the Ghana Revolution in the History Channel sponsored National History Day Competition. She’s had many successes with her film’s, alongside meeting with Prime Ministers in Jamaica, Samoa, Fiji and more to discuss climate change and how it affects education.
Her advocacy began when she was 10, being the youngest person in the world to be featured in Forbes magazine. Zuriel speaks to in school and out of school youth about the importance of education. She’s making an impact globally, as she has spoken in 14 countries, including Ethiopia, South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, London, Mexico, and the United States.
Zuriel accomplished so much at a young age, she’s a change agent and a great role model for little girls all over the world. Click here to learn more about Zuriel’s work and global impact.
MARI COPENY
Mari Copeny aka “Little Miss Flint” is the 13-year-old activist and philanthropist helping kids embrace their power through equal opportunity. Originally from Flint, Michigan she used her voice when she sent a letter to President Obama about the water crisis. Her standing up for her community led President Obama approving $100 million dollars in relief for Flint, MI.
Mari continues to use her voice to speak on social justice issues such as environmental racism. Mari raised over $500,000 for her Flint Kids project giving out 16,000 backpacks and school supplies for back to school, alongside her Christmas Toy drive and other initiatives around holidays.
Mari has done so much more for her community at large, essentially showing little girls to not be silent but to stand up for what they believe in. Click here to read more about Mari’s story and the impact she continues to make in her community.
NEIJAE GRAHAM-HENRIES
Neijae Graham-Henries is nine years old, being the world’s youngest woman barber. Neijae formed her passion for cutting hair at the age of 6 when her brother chose to stop attending the Junior Barber Academy in North Philadelphia. Currently, she attends school, giving free haircuts to those in need while learning to perfect her craft with Philadelphia Barbers.
Neijae told TIME for Kids, “I would braid my own hair and my doll’s hair, but I wasn’t really interested in barbering. I thought only boys could do it”. Neijae is an inspiration for little girls all over to follow their passions even if you have to be the first to do it.
These young entrepreneurs are an inspiration for all the little girls worldwide to follow their dreams and to love themselves. We believe representation matters, and every entrepreneur on this list is the pure embodiment of black girl magic. As a woman and black-owned company, Healthy Roots Dolls supports every entrepreneur mentioned and aims to empower little girls to love themselves and their curls.
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