Pigtails & Pajamas Youth Mentoring
Promoting sisterhood, scholarship & self-esteem!
Program Overview
Mentoring and motivating girls, particularly in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM), with an emphasis on young girls of color, is near and dear to Dr. Daniels’ heart.
Reflecting on some of her own experiences growing up as a black girl in America and with the words of Human Rights Activist, Malcolm X, echoing in her mind, Dr. Daniels is no stranger to the challenges black women and girls face in society.
STEAM aside, she understands the importance of supporting black and brown girls, particularly those who may have been adversely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic due to limited face-to-face instruction and those who have also been negatively impacted by horrific acts, images and videos of racial inequality sweeping across the nation. She remembers the importance of mentorship and the support she received during her own childhood from professionals, community members and her older sisters, and the positive outlook and opportunities it afforded her.
Dr. Daniels is no stranger to mentoring black and brown girls. In fact, before the pandemic, she frequently volunteered within her community
(at churches, non-profits, schools, etc.) to serve as a mentor to black and brown girls.
In 2020, Dr. Daniels’ work as a mentor was halted by the pandemic. She worked quickly to put together a means by which she could continue to provide this service to young girls, particularly during these unprecedented times, by launching her very own virtual mentoring program (Pigtails & Pajamas) for black and brown girls.
The program focuses on sisterhood, scholarship, and self-esteem and highlights the importance of self love and positive affirmations. Dr. Daniels is a woman who certainly leads by example. She knows the value of hard work in order prepare for success and is not shy about sharing her own experiences with the girls.
In her youth advocacy work, she leverages the resources from within her network and through multiple social media outlets, and hopes to facilitate connections and opportunities for these young girls for years to come. She is hopeful that the seeds she plants today will have a long lasting, positive affect and will forever change their lives.
The program meets once a month, on Friday evenings and the girls (as well as Dr. Daniels) are all dressed in pajamas and their hair styled in pigtails. The idea behind the themed sessions is to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the girls, allowing them the opportunity to feel accepted and safe while engaging in organic conversation, reinforced by Dr. Daniels’ guidance.
NEW BOOK!
A book written by four remarkable young girls, ages 3-10, who are part of a youth mentoring program called Pigtails and Pajamas. The girls provide short stories, advice and life lessons that, even at their young age, have helped to make them better. They hope to inspire other young girls, especially those who look like them and who may be experiencing challenges or fears throughout their lives.
Special thanks to M.O.M. Successfully Publishing for helping us provide this opportunity to our girls.
The Fall 2023 Program...
with all new special guests!
Are you interested in:
– Signing your little girl(s) up for the virtual mentoring program? If so, please click here to fill out the special interest form.
– Being a special guest/speaker at one of our upcoming mentoring sessions? If so, please click here to contact us. In your message, please provide the following information:
1. Name & age
2. Company or affiliation
3. Explain your experience working with children ages 5-13
4. Ways you have uplifted the black and brown community
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
We would love your support for the girls within the Pigtails & Pajamas program. Please consider donating to our program using the donate icon, below. Your donations will help provide school supplies, scholarship support and self help resources for the girls within our program. If you prefer to donate physical items or materials please contact us.
Program Highlights
Non-profits and Astrophysics!
with special guest, Ayanna Mann
STEM, confidence and public speaking!
with special guest, Temple Lester
Entrepreneurship and chasing dreams!
with special guest, Simone Bridges
Highlights continued...
What does a Scientist look like?
During the inaugural session of Pigtails & Pajamas, in October, 2020, the girls speak about breaking the norms of what a scientist looks like.
Be confident like the Vice President!
The girls share their thoughts on what it’s like having a black, female vice president.
