Cierra Lemott 
Girls Like Me Project, Inc. strikes again with another amazing and empowering event for girls across Chicago. This year’s Day of the Girl celebration was held at the historical South Shore Cultural Center.
Chicago Day of the Girl, celebrated on International Day of the Girl, focused on showing girls their power through different activities. This four-hour-long event included various activations including Black Girls’ Wellness Oasis and GLMPI Live Talk Show as well as an art installation, global connections, an exclusive short film screening, a talent showcase and a jump rope demonstration.
Teagan McPherson, a student at Legacy Charter School, enjoyed the yoga, stating that it was “relaxing” and allowed participants to “release a lot of stress.” She used this opportunity to make new friends and meet other like-minded girls.
“Today means to me that I can be able to meet new people and explore what this international holiday is for girls,” said McPherson.
The gathering began with a brief word from Lakeisha Gray-Sewell, founder and executive director of GLMPI, followed by meditation and yoga to calm and center the girls in attendance. Sponsors of the event included Black Girls Jump, Family Focus, Sista Afya Community Center and Black Girls Smile.
“This is a manifested vision. This is a culmination of just hard work and partnerships, not just ourselves are here. This is a collaborative effort,” said Gray-Sewell. “We want all the resources that are in this city, all of the information, everything that is for girls, to celebrate, to be advocated for, to be educated, to be shared, we want to bring all that into one space.”
Sheila Foster, principal at Legacy Charter School, brought 15 girls from her school out to the event to enjoy all of the activations and good energy there were to offer. She enjoyed the double dutch.
“It really does mean a lot to bring girls together so that they can realize the power that they have in community and the power that they have in learning new activities together as well,” Foster said.
Events like these always leave me feeling empowered and more connected to other community members. More events like this should happen to unite girls. There are so many things in the world that want to tear us apart when we should be sticking together.
“I want girls to identify this city as their own, not just their neighborhood or school. I want them to know that there are spaces like the South Shore Cultural Center that belong to them. Places that they can find serenity and peace, places where they can feel safe and protected,” said Gray-Sewell.
For more information about Girls Like Me Project, Inc., visit their website at www.girlslikemeproject.org.
By Cierra Lemott, Columbia College Chicago alum
Instagram: @kodakscamera
X: @LemottCierra
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