10 New School Role Models For Our Brown Girls
During this age of social media and reality TV we must pay close attention to who our girls are looking up to. Introduce these 10 Brown Girl leaders to your daughters, students, and mentees to inspire the greatness within them. Your Brown Girls can follow these amazing girls on social media to stay updated on all of the great things they are doing in their communities and in the world.
Mari Copeny aka ‘Little Miss Flint’
If you are looking for a way to show your Brown Girls that they can make a difference no matter their age, then you must introduce them to Mari Copeny. At 8 years old Mari, who is known as “Little Miss Flint” because of her activism, instrumental in getting President Obama to go to Flint, Michigan during the water crisis to ensure people received the support they deserved. Mari also raised over $10,000 in two weeks to provide backpacks to over 1,000 students in the area. Mari is the definition of girl power being the youngest Women’s March Youth Ambassador, National Youth Ambassador for the Climate March, and Youth Ambassador for Equality for Her. Mari’s favorite school subjects are Science and Reading. She is evidence that age has no bearing on making a difference.
Social Media:
Twitter: @littlemissflint
2. Simone Askew
Although many of our “New School” Role Models are in the entertainment industry in some form or fashion, 21-year-old Simone Askew is known for a different reason. On March 14th, 2017 Askew became the first African American women to hold the highest position at the United States Military Academy at West Point. As first Captain of the Academy’s Corps of Cadets, Askew is responsible of overseeing the performance of approximately 4,400 students. As the holder of this position Simone has broken racial and gender barriers at the Academy. With graduating classes of around 1,000 students each year, less than 20 are African-American women.
Simone had been working towards this goal since the day she saw troops being led across an Annapolis football field as a child. On that day she asked her mother what it would take to hold that position. In high school, she was a great student, athlete, and leader, she used all of these attributes to get into West Point. She worked daily to ensure she would one day hold the position and even missed her high school homecoming queen crowning to attend a West Point recruiting event. Askew’s hard work and dedication has gotten her far and she will continue to break barriers as a member of our military.
3. Nadya Okamoto
Harvard University student Nadya Okamoto founded the non-profit organization PERIOD, the organization provides feminine-hygiene products to the homeless. Okamoto who is now 19-years-old was once homeless with her family. Nadya didn’t talk about her struggle for fear that people wouldn’t understand due to the stereotypes of Asians coming from wealthy families and being model students.
After speaking to many homeless women who faced difficulty when menstruating, and were too embarrassed to ask for help, Nadya started the nonprofit. Since then the organization has helped more than 78,000 people. PERIOD has since gone global to combat the issue of girls in underdeveloped countries missing school due to inadequate resources.
Last year Nadya ran for Cambridge City Council as the youngest candidate, although she didn’t win she made historic waves in student and youth turnout. She is currently writing a book about The Menstrual Movement, youth activism, and her own experiences overcoming adversity.
You can keep up with Nadya and the PERIOD organization on Social Media at:
Twitter: @nadyaokamoto
Instagram: @nadyaokamoto
Facebook: @Period. Inc.
4. Yara Shahidi
17-year-old Yara Shahidi describes her work as Zoey on the television show Black-ish as activism through art. But outside of the show Shahidi is an activist in all areas, as a soon to be Harvard student (she was accepted into every college she applied to), sister, natural girl, and fashionista, she is the epitome of a role model for a Brown Girl of any age. Yara is proof that balance is a real thing as she has been balancing AP-Classes, acting, and being an advocate for girls everywhere. Yara has worked with Former First Lady Michelle Obama with her Let Girls Learn Initiative and recently Yara interviewed Secretary Hillary Clinton during the teen vogue summit in Los Angeles.
Her new spin-off show “Grown-ish” recently premiered on the Freeform network. “Grown-ish” which can be described as a new-school version of the cult classic “A Different World” follows the events of Zoey’s life as she begins college. In real life Yara plans to double-major in Sociology and African-American studies at Harvard. If you are looking for a Gen Z Brown Girl to introduce to your daughters,
Check out the “Grown-ish” star at:
Twitter: @YaraShahidi
Instagram: @yarashahidi
Facebook: @YaraShahidi
5. Zendaya
Our first experience with 21-year old “It Girl” Zendaya was when she came across our television screens as KC Undercover on the Disney Channel. When she entered production for the show she ensured that her character would not sing or dance, (although we see this on TV daily it is not the reality for most of us), she decided her character would be a Brainiac. Zendaya also insisted that her character be martial arts trained and be socially awkward unlike most of the extra cool girls that we usually see on TV.
Since her breakout on the Disney Channel Ms. Coleman has recorded a self-titled album and written a book “Between U and Me: How to Rock Your Tween Years with Style and Confidence”. Aside from her career pursuits Zendaya has a list of philanthropic efforts longer than most adults in Hollywood including on her 18th birthday rallying her 19 million Instagram followers to feed 150 schoolchildren in developing countries for a year. How did you spend your birthday? You can check out Zendaya as Anne, a trapeze artist in recently released “The Greatest Showman”. Zendaya is proof that you can master your career on your terms.
Social Media:
Instagram: @Zendaya
Twitter: @Zendaya
Facebook: @Zendaya
6. Chloe x Halle
You may have heard about these Brown Girls as the Protégés to the Queen Bee herself Beyoncé, but there are many other sides to this amazing duo. The sisters Chloe (19) and Halle (17) hit the scene first via YouTube singing their versions of cover songs. Since then the girls have created original music, appeared on the runway for major fashion brands, and most recently appeared on our television screens alongside Yara Shahidi in the show “grown-ish”. These amazing Brown Girls actually wrote and produced the theme song “Grown” for the show.
The sisters believe in activism through music and believe that is the best medium for an exchange of ideas. Chloe X Halle are Brown Girls proud to be a part of Gen Z and are not afraid to take risks or defend themselves. They believe that their generation is poised to save the world and they are up for the challenge.
You can find the duo on:
Twitter: @chloexhalle
Instagram: @chloexhalle
Facebook: @chloexhalle
7. Malala Yousafzai
In 2012 Taliban militants ambushed a school bus that Malala was riding in an effort to kill her because of her work fighting for girls’ rights. The incident left the 15-year-old with bullet wounds in her neck and face. Yousafzai not only survived the attack but then went on to become a best-selling author, a winner of numerous international prizes and the youngest U.N. Messenger of Peace. Malala founded the Malala Fund, an advocacy organization for girls’ education worldwide. Along with all of these accolades at the age of 17 she became the youngest person to ever win the Nobel Peace Prize. For 3 years Malala was named to Time Magazine’s list of most influential people in the world.
During an acceptance speech at the United Nations headquarters Yousafzai stated, “If you want to see your future bright, you have to start working now and not wait for anyone else”. Malala who is now a student at Oxford University is proof that if you don’t agree with something you have the ability to change it.
Malala can be found at:
Twitter: @Malala
Instagram: @malalafund
Facebook: @OfficialMalalaYousafzai
8. Amandla Stenberg
“What would America be like if we loved black people as much as we love black culture?”, this quote by Brown Girl Amandla Stenberg in her viral video “Don’t Cash Crop My Cornrows” in 2015 certainly summed up many of our feelings. Since the release of the video she has appeared on Oprah’s SuperSoul Session where she shared a meditation on beauty standards called “My Authenticity Is My Activism”. this Brown Girl has been outspoken in all things gender, feminism, sexuality, and black culture. Amandla’s Brown Girl Magic was also requested to be a part of Beyoncé’s Lemonade movie and was told by the Mrs. Knowles-Carter “When Blue grows up, I want her to be just like you.” As if all of these things aren’t enough to fill her resume she also has many amazing film credits.
She has crossed our screens in such films as “Colombiana”, “The Hunger Games”, and “Everything, Everything”, and has co-authored a comic-book series, Niobe: She Is Life, that features a black female title character. Stenberg has also worked with organizations including No Kid Hungry to work to end childhood hunger in America. Amandla describes her generation as more than just a hashtag but a generation of leaders and advocates. This Brown Girl has been named to the Time Magazine’s list of Most Influential Teens twice and is proof you can speak up for what you believe in no matter your age.
Amandla uses her social media as tool for her activism at:
Twitter: @amandlastenberg
Instagram: @amandlastenberg
Facebook: @Amandlastenberg
9. Simone Biles
20-year-old Brown Girl Simone Biles is an Olympic Gold Medalist and proof that you can do anything you put your mind to. Coming from a somewhat difficult childhood in which she spent some time in foster care before being adopted by her grandfather and step-grandmother. Simone is known for competing using some of the most difficult routines and is the most decorated American gymnast. The very courageous young lady recently released a statement stating that a former USA Gymnastics physician had sexually assaulted her.
Biles is the author of a memoir “Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance”. A biopic based on her book will premiered on Lifetime this month. Simone is evidence that your past does not determine your future and with a lot of hard work and grit you have the power to make all of your dreams come true.
Stay up to date on all things Simone at:
Twitter: @Simone_Biles
Instagram: @simonebiles
Facebook: @Simone Biles
10. Demi Lovato
25-year-old it girl Demi Lovato first crossed our screens on the Disney Channel in Camp Rock. But lately she’s been making headlines for a different reason, as an activist for mental health awareness. Lovato is using her platform to remove the stigma that accompanies mental health. The 25-year-old has been very vocal about her own struggles suffering with depression, an eating disorder, and self-harm. It is crucial for our girls to be aware of their own mental health and to understand that it is ok to not be ok.
Although those in the limelight tend to only share their positive experiences, it is important that our girls are aware that everyone goes through trials. Individuals like Demi are evidence that it is not the trials that create your character but how you grow through the trials.
You can keep up with how Demi uses her platform at:
Twitter: @ddlovato
Instagram: @ddlovato
Facebook: @Demi Lovato
Bonus: Rowan Blanchard
You may know her for the role of Riley Matthews on “Girl Meets World” the series reboot of our beloved “Boy Meets World”, but 16-year-old Rowan has many more accolades to be proud of. Blanchard addressed the crowd during last year’s Women’s March on Washington and spoke about feminism and using her art as activism. Rowan is a thinker and prides herself on reading material that will enlighten her on people and situations that she has not faced. She is outspoken on feminism, human rights, and gun violence.
Rowan states that the things that have impacted her the most are the things written by people closer to her age and thus she writes for her age group. You can read more of Rowan’s thoughts in her recently released book “Still Here”, which includes art and writing from her favorite photographers, poets, and friends along with her own journal entries and snapshots. Blanchard makes our list as a bonus girl who has a lot to say about young people joining the conversation.
You can find Rowan at:
Twitter: @RowanBlanchard
Instagram: @rowanblanchard
Facebook: @Rowanblanchardofficial
