Wings of Elegance is an organization in the Brightwood community of Indianapolis that hosts quarterly workshops on an array of topics to benefit under privileged girls from 9yrs-17yrs. While not exclusive, the program primarily serves the black community. A workshop is comprised of a number of 30-40 minute sessions of different topics and activities; arts and crafts, etiquette, health and nutrition, conflict resolution, community and civic involvement, education and career planning, etc. to vary the kid's exposure. They try to put professionals in front of them for the purpose of providing good information, but also in having session leaders who look like them they see the opportunities that exist in realms that they may not have thought of.
On Apriil 9th, Jeniece Fleming, Miss Banks of the Wabash visited the program. Although she was asked to come share her platform, "Unity Starts with YOU," she spent the morning learning an African folk dance, money management skills, and even made a homemade pizza.
In regards to her platform, she spent time explaining the difference between a bully, victim, bystander, and ally in the context of the Holocaust. Then the girls and Jeniece had a discussion about these terms as they relate to growing up in Indianapolis. Most of the girls shared how they have been bullied because of their intelligence or because of their ethnicity or their size. Then the group discussed the importance of loving yourself and being thankful for who God has created you to be. Lastly they discussed how important it is to say something and be an "ally" when others are being talked about or bullied.
