Meet F.L.Y Mentoring
Do YOU know that you should be F.L.Y everyday?? I’m not talking about the clothes you wear or the hairstyle you rock but you should be Forever Loving Yourself all the time! LaNetta Price launched F.L.Y. Mentoring Services Inc. which is an organization dedicated to teaching life skills, etiquette and self esteem to African-American girls between the ages of 11-17. The Houston based organization is completely dedicated to reaching out to schools, churches and various youth organizations to provide unique workshops in order for girls to mature into confident, graceful young women.
Let’s get to know LaNetta and F.L.Y Mentoring a little better…
Please share how the idea of F.L.Y Mentoring was develop and the mission behind the movement
The initial idea of F.L.Y. Mentoring Services came about through my mentoring with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. I developed a great relationship with my Little Sister and really began to see the effect of this great pairing. I definitely began to feel as if I was really making a positive difference in her life. This experience was very rewarding and I began to think bigger. I wanted to find a way to impact and empower more girls. F.L.Y. soon became my great vision. I wanted to dispel the negative images of young black girls in our community. I understood that there were millions of girls that did not have positive role models, which is clearly visible in our communities. I wanted the opportunity to show girls how valuable they are and not to succumb to common stereotypes. F.L.Y. Mentoring Services is designed to equip girls between the ages of 11-17, with valuable life skills which include self-esteem and etiquette. F.L.Y. is an acronym which stands for FOREVER LOVING YOURSELF. The program focuses on empowerment through confidence. I certainly feel as if a confident girl can do anything that she puts her mind to. This confidence can radiate through schoolwork as well as personal relationships. The girls in F.L.Y. are gaining valuable skills that will guide them through adulthood.
F.L.Y. stands for Forever Loving Yourself, what piece of advice would you give to teen girls on how to truly love themselves?
I would tell girls that in order to love yourself you have to exude confidence. This confidence is reflected in the way that you treat your body, nurture your mind, and feed your spirit. Confidence is not only the way that you treat yourself, but the way that you treat others as well. If you are a confident individual you will exude that energy in all aspects of your life. A girl that loves herself wants nothing but the best for herself. She works hard and doesn’t give up. A girl that loves herself can be seen from a mile away. She is positive, respectful, smart, strong, classy, and beautiful from the inside out.
Working with youth both parties learn from each other, what’s one thing you have learned from working with girls?
I have definitely learned that the teenage girls of today are dealing with tremendous pressures of society. I truly believe that we are living in a different time and age where media is playing a large role in how our girls feel about themselves. The girls have basically taught me that there are few to no positive or “like” images of themselves on T.V. As a community, we must recognize this and begin to come up with a more positive outlet for our girls.
What is the main goal you accomplish when you host different workshops for the young ladies?
One main goal I accomplish in each workshop is developing a sense of sisterhood. I allow the girls to be themselves and teach them to accept differences. The girls are placed in a positive environment where they can uplift and learn from each other. This has a tremendous effect on how the girls feel about themselves. If they see another girl accomplishing a great goal, they are more likely to strive to reach their own personal goals. If the girls see another girl carrying herself with grace, they are more likely to want to duplicate that behavior. I honestly cannot sum up one goal for all of these workshops. I truly believe that each girl takes a piece of each workshop and applies it in order to strengthen certain areas of her life.
We tend to pull characteristics from others in our lives or from people we admire, who inspires you and why?
I am inspired by my mother who was and still is such a great role model in my life. She has built her life around helping others and I have the desire to do the same. Throughout my life she has taught me to be a caring, respectful, giving, and classy individual. She has given me experiences throughout my life that I can only pray to give my daughter. I have watched her work diligently in her career as well as in her job in caring for her family. She has an unparalleled work ethic. I strive to gain this in all of my endeavors. I feel that every girl should grow up with a positive role model in her life. A young girls’ first role model should be her mother. She should see her image reflected through her mother. I have learned many life lessons from my mother. She inspires me to be strong and independent. She inspires me with her positivity and her grace. With my mothers’ watchful eye, I was able to be my own quirky self without having to conform to what others thought about me. Overall, my mother has taught me to work hard and continue to strive for my dreams.
Where do you see F.L.Y Mentoring in the next 5 years?
In the next 5 years I see F.L.Y. chapters in several states. I want to provide this unique and empowering experience to as many girls as possible. I also plan on having yearly conferences for girls around the country. These conferences will be a larger version of the intimate F.L.Y. workshops. Girls will be able to meet other girls from around their city or state and form unique bonds. I want to expose them to great female leaders and other positive role models from around the country. The girls will be truly motivated throughout these conferences. Lastly, I see F.L.Y. being able to create a unique way for teens to express themselves, and become empowered through the media.
We’re all about empowerment at C.O.R.E Mag, what does empowerment mean to you?
Empowerment is such a strong word. In my opinion, empower means to teach. It means to equip an individual with the skills it needs to succeed. I feel that once an individual is empowered, they in turn should empower others. It is our responsibility as adults to empower our youth. To empower is to make a life-long affect on one’s life. I truly believe that with more teen empowerment programs, we can change the current generation and mold an upcoming generation.
Fun Faves!!- Food? Song? Artist?
It is very hard to narrow down my favorite food to one thing. I absolutely love lasagna as well as all soul food. What is better than greens, ribs, chicken, mac and cheese flushed down with pound cake or banana pudding?! I am also a very big candy addict. I seriously need help with this issue. ☺ I do not have a favorite song, but one has been my favorite for the past year, which is currently on my website www.flygirlsmentoring.com It is an inspirational song called “Beautifully Made” by Leah Smith. This song has truly touched me as well as countless others. It exemplifies what a lot of girls think about themselves when their self esteem is low but also shows us that we are all beautiful. My favorite artist of all time would have to be Anita Baker. I love all types of music. My faves are certainly gospel, R&B, pop, and jazz.
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