Oak Park and River Forest High School has a new club designed to build self-acceptance and leadership skills in girls of color.
Pretty Brown Girl is a national nonprofit organization that operates across 25 states. Since its founding in 2010, the organization has reached approximately 60,000 students in 400 schools, according to its website, prettybrowngirl.com.
OPRF’s Pretty Brown Girl club was founded in February by Latonya Applewhite, executive director of equity and student success. “I want them to develop strong social-emotional skills and intellectual curiosity in a space that feels affirming, inspiring and supportive,” Applewhite wrote in an email. “Being around peers who are on similar journeys can be incredibly powerful.”
The club runs after school on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Room 2131, the Motivational Mentorship space. Students who want to join can reach out to Applewhite at [email protected] or her assistant Melody Brown at [email protected].
The activities are student driven, according to Brown. “This group is mostly run by PBG themselves, and out of respect for this space and the autonomy it gives to allow students to speak candidly about school/community issues, my role is very minimal,” she said.
The club has been a valuable experience so far, according to Jada Clay, a sophomore. “During the club we talk about uplifting each other and how to be good friends,” she said. “This club has taught me how to manage my time with people and how to be patient.”
During a recent club meeting, the students started with social time and snacks provided by Brown. Then they transitioned into their club discussion for the day. The topic varies depending on the day but usually relates to learning new ways to have self confidence and assert healthy boundaries with themselves and others.
Sophomore Savannah Sehn recommended that others join. “I’ve learned about the differences in boundaries with friends and families,” she said, “so I would recommend joining Pretty Brown Girl to other people because here we build strong communities with new friends and people within the school.”
Pretty Brown Girl has been covered by New York Magazine, Essence Magazine, NBC News and National Public Radio for their community-building agenda. According to a 2012 NPR interview, the organization was founded by Sheri and Corey Crawley after they had a birthday party for one of their young daughters in a popular store that sold dolls. None of the girls who were Black chose dolls that looked like them.
The Crawleys understood that there was more work to be done for young girls who were challenged by a lack of self esteem and skin color issues. Their determination for change led to the creation of Pretty Brown Girl, named after the affectionate term Cori Crowley used for his own daughters.
Today the whole family helps run the Pretty Brown Girl organization. CEO and Co-founder Sheri Crawley advocates on issues related to gender and racial inequality. Corey Crawley is responsible for the logistical and operational functions of the organization. The couple’s daughters, Laila and Aliya, are also involved, according to their website profiles.
The ultimate goals of the program are “self-love, academic achievement, character building, community advocacy, and leadership,” the website states.
