Jazzmin Brooks Dafina Bobo

Girls in Motion
wins Ann Bancroft Award
The 13th annual Ann Bancroft Awards, to be held In addition to the Ann Bancroft Awards, the ABF’s
Wednesday, April 29, 2010 at the Hyatt Hotel generous donors and mentors help underserved
in downtown Minneapolis, will recognize four girls take the first steps toward fresh possibilities.
recipients for their accomplishments and support ABF Micro Grants – of up to $500 -- fund
of girls and women. The four winners are: co- meaningful experiences for girls, many of whom
winners Jazzmin Brooks and Dafina Bobo; are disenfranchised and close to falling through
Adrienne Diercks; Cindy Reuther; and Women’s the cracks. Mentors encourage the girls to use
Environmental Institute (WEI). an ABF Micro Grant as a springboard to the next
exploration and to gain a new perspective on their
The Ann Bancroft Foundation www. own abilities and goals. Girls discover new self-
annbancroftfoundation.org is a non-profit confidence and self-knowledge as they open their
organization whose mission is to support girls eyes to a broader world -- and to new possibilities
and women in realizing their highest dreams within themselves.
and potential. The ABF endeavors to recognize
individual achievement and promotes initiatives Jazzmin Brooks and Dafina Bobo are (co-winners)
that inspire courage, risk-taking, integrity and of the Dream Maker Award “Girl” category
individuality in girls and women. (leadership and achievement).

McFarlane Reader March 22-28, 2010

 In 2004, Brooks and Bobo wanted to find
a way for girls to develop a sisterhood of
high educational standards, leadership and
a commitment to service. They were 11-
years-old. Two years later, these young
activists created Girls in Motion Minnesota,

Jazzmin
which promotes excellence in education,
vocation, leadership, civic service and the
arts through a variety of educational and
career opportunities. Today, the two high
school juniors are empowering girls to
lead dynamic and purpose-driven lives.

The two girls, who have known each

other since pre-school while attending
Harvest Preparatory Charter School,
believe it is important for young girls to
and
Dafina
dream that the world can be a better
place. Therefore, it is most important to
first teach them how to gain the skills
needed to participate in that change.
Led by Brooks and Bobo, Girls in
Motion (GIM) was formed in 2006 to
serve all girls of various heritages are committed champions for
and socioeconomic backgrounds to
take on leadership roles.
accessing opportunities for youth in
their community, believing girls can
Today, Jazzmin, a 17-year-old
junior at Blaine High School, and
make the world a better place one
Dafina, a16-year-old junior at girl at a time,” said Nicole Randolph,
Blake School, are empowering
girls to lead dynamic and purpose-
parent and community liaison with
driven lives. “Jazzmin and Dafina Nellie Stone Johnson School.
are committed champions for
accessing opportunities for youth
in their community, believing
girls can make the world a better
place one girl at a time,” said
Nicole Randolph, parent and
community liaison with Nellie
Stone Johnson School. “Their
sound judgment and mature
outlook ensure a logical and
practical approach to their
endeavors.”

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This exceptional duo believes “when you help one girl, you event addressing financial literacy, entrepreneurship and
help us all.” They have already accomplished so much as etiquette called “Girls Get Your Money Right!” The workshop
young people but they’ll be the first to admit there is so helped students heading to college how to manage student
much more to do. Jazzmin Brooks and Dafina Bobo truly loans, checking and savings accounts, and avoiding the
are two girls in motion. pitfalls of credit cards. GIM has also partnered with Wells
Fargo to provide free checking and savings accounts to
GIM’s programs target 6th- to 12th-grade girls in Minneapolis students, and with the Anika Foundation to provide young
and apply values based on Kwanzaa Principles: unity, women with tips on how to interview and proper dress for
self-determination, collective work and responsibility, an interview.
cooperative economics, purpose and faith. Their activities
help girls learn to define their goals and dreams; to support HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases are being
each other and their personal endeavors; to create service- contracted at alarming rates by African-American women
learning projects; and to promote literacy among their peers. and girls. Brooks and Bobo helped to write, produce and
By using their innovative platform, girls can have healthier record a series of public service announcements about HIV/
relationships with friends, families and communities, AIDS. GIM also created HIV/AIDS awareness messages
resulting in increased self-esteem, better choices and with Juxtaposition Arts sidewalk painting to educate those
actively planning for a future of success. passing by about the effect of the disease on the community.
This summer, GIM will host its second annual teen summit
Understanding that their overriding objectives are broad, to educate young women about prevention, testing and how
they are all critical to helping girls to become productive and to become community advocates for this important cause.
successful. Brooks and Bobo have identified several key
areas where they, along with other GIM volunteers, have Girls in Motion has only begun to scratch the surface of
donated thousands of hours of volunteerism and preparation educational initiatives and ideas to help girls prepare for
to educational programs and community service. the future. A new project recruited 120 young students to
attend their first science event with the U of M Association
Providing community service is another objective central to of Multicultural Scientists. Another event will host its first
the organization. Led by Brooks and Bobo, girls fundraise essay competition in July addressing, “What does following
and create partnerships with organizations and businesses in the footsteps of our ancestors mean to you?” A subsequent
to provide food to needy families or the elderly; to purchase retreat will help students understand what slaves endured
school supplies for students; tickets to significant community while escaping to freedom.
lectures and programs; tickets to theater, circus, sporting
and arts events. GIM hosted a teen summit “Justice Remix,” Proceeds from the event will further the
where colleges, art centers, authors and artists collaborated efforts of the Ann Bancroft Foundation.
to address how youth can solve community problems Event sponsors include Best Buy Women’s
through artistic expression. Over 150 students attended as Leadership Forum, Imation, Dunn Brothers
well as collected food items that were donated to the Nelly Coffee, Women’s Foundation of Minnesota,
Stone Johnson School. KARE 11 and Minnesota Women’s Press.
For ticket information contact www.
Managing personal finances is a challenge and concern to annbancroftfoundation.org or call Tracy
many girls after high school. Brooks and Bobo created an Adams at (763) 479-4499.

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