Meet The Matriarch, Inc.
Youth Spokeswomen Jazmin & Maiyah with Congresswoman Donna Edwards for the 4th District of Maryland
Inspire, motivate & encourage are just a few ways The Matriarch Inc. empowers girls every single day! The Matriarch helps young ladies in the foster care system find peace in knowing they’re not alone in the various trials they face. This influential organization serves as a sisterhood for girls ranging from ages 10 to 18, as well as a resource for community outreach, education and advocacy.
Orginally created by Tiffanie McNeill, she launched this program to fill a void in her community & to reclaim the young ladies of the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. These amazing women are also committed to the community at-large, and plans to sponsor events, seminars and classes that bring awareness to important t issues and serve to improve the quality of life for families in the Washington, DC area.
Let’s get to know The Matriarch Inc. a little better…
(L to R) Aviane Livingston, Fundraising Director; Tiffanie McNeil, Founder & President; Danielle Dzidzienyo, Treasurer/Partnerships & Contracts Director; Tiana Beard, M.Ed., Education & Marketing Director
The Matriarch, Inc. is an awesome nonprofit that caters and motivates young ladies from a variety of backgrounds. What inspired you to launch this inspirational program?
The idea for The Matriarch started several years ago. It began to take shape when our Founder, Tiffanie McNeill began working with foster care children, as well as coaching a youth cheerleading squad in Washington, DC. She saw an intense need through these venues, and through regular interactions with family and friends. So many girls seemed to be following a dangerous and destructive path with no positive guidance. Tiffanie wanted to impact this problem directly by working with girls on the issues of self-esteem, self-image, developing a positive vision, and nurturing a positive lifestyle that makes the best out of their gifts and talents. Having seen the same issues in girls in foster care and girls in biological homes, she saw a way to not only impact girls’ lives, but to bridge a gap between girls who may feel a divide based upon their home status. Tiffanie has such a strong passion for mentoring and counseling, she will be beginning her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling this year.
What are some of the activities that The Matriarch, Inc. has done in the past and any future events?
The major program of The Matriarch is the B-Fly Society (BFS). The BFS is a youth sorority for girls aged 10-18, that will assist the young ladies in developing the tools and strategies needed to become positive and productive young women who will, in turn, positively impact their communities through giving back what was given to them. The BFS takes on a sorority format to facilitate developing the bonds of positive sisterhood, which is something that is sorely lacking in today’s society, with such media influences as The Real Housewives of ATL and other shows that portray women as catty, selfish and combative. With many of the Board members having experience in collegiate sororities, they bring a unique perspective and insight into the ups and downs of sisterhood and can give a total view of sorority life and forming lifelong bonds between women. The Pieces of Me Induction Program is an 8-week course of sessions designed to give the girls a jumpstart to their new lives as sisters bonded in love and community. At the end of the eight weeks, the girls will begin working to impact their communities and schools though attending and hosting events throughout the area.
As a part of the BFS experience, we will be hosting an annual B-Fly Society Launch Party & Anniversary Explosion. This event will serve as the girls’ coming out show, where they will perform and present themselves to the community as a united force in sisterhood. This event will occur every summer and will feature performances by each line of the BFS that has been inducted during the previous 12 months. There will be guest speakers and performers to make this event an annual favorite among the youth in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area!
The Matriarch, Inc. representing at the Maryland Resource Parent Association Conference.
If you had to give 3 pieces of advice to young ladies out there who are struggling to be comfortable in their skin – what would it be?
- No matter your color, size, shape or family background, you are made in God’s image, and God doesn’t make any junk!
- Everyone has a unique purpose in this world. Each of us must find that purpose and live in it.
- NEVER be afraid to ask for help with anything you’re struggling with. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to a parent, reach out to another relative, a teacher, counselor or someone. You are never alone, and there are people out here who genuinely want to help with whatever you need.
When working with young girls, both parties learn from each other. What’s one thing you have learned from working with teenage girls?
Often times we criticize “women” for not knowing how to get along and to work together as a team. Now that I am actively working with teens I realize that this cycle starts early and many of the women learned to be the way that they are when they were little girls. They were never equipped with the tools to deal with their own personal issues instead they learned negative behavior and never outgrew it.
We tend to pull characteristics from others in our lives or from people we admire, who inspires you and why?
My late grandmother, Norris A. Brown inspired me to be the person I have become. When I was a little girl I would go to my room and pretend to be her. She could command an audience, had great speaking abilities, was known to be a powerful woman but was compassionate at all the right moments. As long as I continue to strive to be JUST like her I will be focused for the rest of my life! I recall her ordering food for the homeless man that everyone else walked by and attending the prom with the boy that everyone teased. These experiences have grounded me and made me pay attention to those that are often ignored. I also love all that Oprah Winfrey stands for but I am thankful for the time I had with a person that I could actually bond with on a personal level. My grandmother was the matriarch of my family and that’s where the name of the organization originated from.
We’re all about EMPOWERMENT at C.O.R.E. Mag, what does empowerment mean to you?
Empowerment means providing someone or a group with the necessary skills, tools and strategies to identify, execute and maintain their goals for their lives. True empowerment occurs when mentees become self-sufficient and can then turn to empower those coming up after them. Empowerment shouldn’t be a crutch, but a nudging in the right direction, with supports along the way.
Where do you see The Matriarch, Inc. in 5 years?
The Matriarch has taken off and surpassed all of the goals set for its first year so we are reaching for the stars. In 5 years we plan to be a household name with a variety of programs to offer young ladies. We are currently working on partnering with other organizations of like mind to provide a well rounded program for the young ladies. The ultimate goal is to obtain our very own location where we can offer mentoring at various levels.
Fun Faves! Song? Food? Artist?
Food—The Matriarch Board loves to eat! And we’re not picky! We recently hosted a brunch for volunteers which featured two kinds of quiche, chicken wingettes, biscuits, fruit salad, grits, bacon, homefries, and strawberry cake. We are introducing the young ladies to new foods as well. We are all about trying new things.
Song—The song we use in our website opening is Pieces of Me by Ledisi. This song embodies the fact that we are each different in our own way and these differences make us special. We also love the song Ma-Ki-Da-Da which was featured in the Color Purple Movie which means little sister. The young ladies will learn a similar version of this song during the 8 week session.
Artist—We all like a variety of different music, so to list all of them would take a couple pages! We support all positive music. Many of the young ladies like Willow Smith, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Cee-Lo. If the artist has a catchy beat with a positive attitude we will listen to it!
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