Winston-Salem based nonprofit, LEAD Girls of NC, works in our community and through partnerships with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County middle schools to provide preteen girls whose resources do not match their limitless potential, with tools to become change makers and leaders in their communities. 

“These girls are our leaders of tomorrow, and we want to instill in them the belief and confidence that they can achieve anything they set their minds to,” says LEAD Founder and Executive Director Joy Nelson Thomas. “At LEAD, our focus is on those middle school years where our trained facilitators provide evidence-based programming to equip the girls for success, unlock their resiliency and build their confidence.” 

LEAD serves nearly 400 girls in Forsyth County through its school-based programs, weekend curriculum, summer camps and Girls Rising Expo. Fundraising is a huge priority for Thomas and her staff as demand for LEAD programming is outstripping its current resources. 

“As our success story has spread in the community, more schools are asking for LEAD programming,” says Thomas. “Our goal is to increase philanthropic support so we can add more trained facilitators to serve them.”

Dominique – Current Ambassador and Future Nurse

Dominique participated in LEAD through her middle school years and now serves as a LEAD Ambassador in high school, helping with community events such as the LEAD Girls Rising Expo. She also speaks in the community about the impact that LEAD Girls has had in her life. 

“It’s important for our community to know just how powerful this program is in changing a girl’s life,” she says. “LEAD is building our confidence, building our community, building our ability to set and reach goals, and encouraging us to consider our future careers and business aspirations.” 

Dominique’s own career aspirations came from participating in LEAD’s year-long STEAM program which exposes the girls to a wide variety of science- and arts-based fields and careers in the community. She was inspired by the work they did exploring the field of biomedicine and is now considering a future career in nursing. Being part of the LEAD program has also helped Dominique become a stronger, more confident person. 

“When I came to the program, I was very shy, and I did not know how to express myself,” she says. “At school, I had experienced bullying and body shaming. Once I joined LEAD, I was able to talk about those feelings, and I found that many girls shared similar experiences. Talking about those difficult things helped me realize I was not alone. As we expressed our feelings, I think we all became more confident. We have built a wonderful community by having a safe space at LEAD where we can be our true selves.” 

Emily – Budding Floral Designer and Business Owner

When Emily, now an 8th grader, joined LEAD Girls last year, she had no idea how much the program would change her. One special experience was LEAD’s Fashion Entrepreneurship Camp this past summer. The camp touches on all aspects of becoming an entrepreneur – in fashion and other industries. One of the camp’s popular activities is an afternoon spent with Jennifer Brannon, co-owner of Green Bee Floral Designs in Winston-Salem. 

Emily loved her time at Green Bee where the LEAD girls made their own floral arrangements. “I really enjoyed putting together the different flowers and creating something so beautiful. I learned about the Green Bee business as a fun and creative career path for me.”

Emily put this inspiration into practice by starting her own business, Sweet-Pea Floral Design, and crafting a unique company logo. Along with her mom, she purchased a variety of fresh flowers to arrange and sell on the weekend. One customer was so taken by Emily’s talent that he posted a photo of his arrangement which went viral on social media. 

“Being part of LEAD has definitely made me a more confident person,” says Emily. “I saw that especially this year as I returned to school. It pumps up your self esteem. And, I’ve made some really good friends. Plus, I’ve got an idea of what I might like to be when I grow up which is very exciting.”

Jennifer Brannon, Green Bee’s owner and a longtime supporter and volunteer for LEAD, enjoys having the girls come to her studio to learn about starting a business. 

“I always hope that the girls leave their camp experience with us with the basic knowledge and skills to open any business,” says Brannon. “When we started Green Bee, everything seemed overwhelming and insurmountable. With the tools and knowledge of what I know now, it seems so simple. If I can take what I know, and make the process less intimidating and more streamlined, not only can it seem fun, but more attainable, as well.” 

As a gesture of good faith in the girls’ future businesses, Green Bee gives each girl their first dollar. “It’s a way to show them that we believe in them and that we are always here for them, now, and in the future,” says Brannon. “That’s the first step really – believing you can do it and having someone else who believes in you.”

Over the years of being involved with LEAD Girls, Jennifer and her team at Green Bee are delighted to know the impact they are having on our community’s future business owners.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to hear that the camp and Emily’s experience with us at Green Bee has inspired her to open up her own floral stand this summer and pursue floral design and selling flowers,” says Brannon. “It’s one thing to see an actual business emerge, but it’s great that it’s a floral business. I am just so proud of her. I cannot wait to have her back in the studio and hopefully nurture that seedling of entrepreneurism that she is starting!”

Jennifer knows that there are many girls like Dominique and Emily just waiting to engage with LEAD and whose lives will be transformed through its mission and programs. She encourages other businesses to consider how they can support LEAD, financially and as mentors, so that LEAD can continue to expand its footprint in Forsyth County. 

“Our business first got involved as a way for us to financially give back to our community, but LEAD girls quickly gave back to us,” says Brannon. “There is no way you can spend any amount of time with these girls and the people who volunteer their time for the organization and not want to do more. We give back as much as we can during the year through our business to help these LEAD girls grow into our next leaders, entrepreneurs and community rockstars!”