08/25/2026
WOW! Their energy. Their ideas. Their teamwork. Their sisterhood. Their LEADERSHIP!
What an incredible M.O.M.E.N.T. we shared with Amicettes on Saturday during the S.H.E. is ME! S.H.E. is the M.O.M.E.N.T. Empowerment Retreat!
From the moment they entered the room, they were challenged to SEIZE THE MOMENT. With M.O.M.E.N.T. as our word of the day, we made sure that throughout the retreat, every moment counted.
We began with “Who Are We? – Code Keepsake,” taking a moment to explore what we value as individuals and what we value as Amicettes. The girls then transformed those reflections into creative ties that represented their identities, values, and connection to the Amicette Code.
Next, we were inspired by some phenomenal special guests, including Dr. Santia Deck, Brooke Hart Jones, and Varonica “The VV Show” Mitchell, who poured encouragement, wisdom, and GIRL POWER into our Amicettes!
Then it was time for Influence-HER Monopoly: The Amicette Edition! But this wasn't just a game. Every move represented a lesson in planning, money, teamwork, and real life. Our teams earned grant funds, encountered a few “Life Happens” moments, worked with their bankers to manage their money and pay their debts, and then received the ultimate challenge: Use the money you have left to develop a program, service project, or fundraiser! And their ideas did not disappoint!
From there, we grabbed our Leadership Passports and traveled through the M.O.M.E.N.T. — Mindset, Ownership, Mission, Ex*****on, Navigation, and Teamwork. Through six interactive leadership stations, MOMENTors (volunteers for the day) challenged Amicettes through carnival style games that physically represented a leadership concept: Knocking down Negative Thoughts, Owning your Voice, Strength, Growth, etc., and Aiming for for your Why to name a few. Every challenge reminding each girls that leadership isn't a position/title you hold; it's reflected in how you think, the choices you make, the actions you take, how you navigate challenges, and how you work with others.
We were then joined by an extraordinary innovator and leader Dr. Tahira Reid Smith, inventor of the first automatic Double Dutch machine. Even more special, our very own Amicette Reporter led the interview! The conversation gave our girls an opportunity to see innovation, perseverance, creativity, and leadership in action and themselves in the magic!
Then, it was time for our Amicettes to use their voices. We heard from our candidates for leadership roles. They came prepared and stood confidently to share why they are ready to serve and lead.
Ending the day with a take home gift that drove the message to Bloom Where You are Planted. Thanks to the contributions of community supporter Creative Growth Studios, the girls left with the challenge to choose a path and recognize the gifts they have. They are capable and ready to seize the moment!
What a DAY.
They thought.
They created.
They problem-solved.
They laughed.
They collaborated.
They used their voices.
They supported one another.
They LED.
And somewhere between all of the activities, conversations, challenges, laughter, and sisterhood, something beautiful happened: they made the M.O.M.E.N.T. their own.
S.H.E. is ME! S.H.E. is the M.O.M.E.N.T.
And these young ladies reminded us that their moment isn't somewhere in the future. Their M.O.M.E.N.T. is NOW!
What a way to kick off amazing school and program year! Seize the moment Zeta Youth!
Thank you to all who made the day a success:
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - Tau Delta Zeta Chapter
Sabrena Ball, President
Alison Merritt, 3rd Vice President and Youth Advisory Chair
Corisa C. Myers Amicette Advisor
The Amicette Advisory Team
Youth Advisory Council
The Distinguished Pearls Foundation
VIPs - Very Important Parents
Amazing Zeta Youth
Every single MOMENTor for the Day
Professor Brandy Turner, Director of the Center of Women in Cyber from Capital Tech University
Lou and I Custom Tees
J. Roberts-Owens
Mary Lawrence
Felicia Scott
Eureka Thompkins
Dr. Tahira Reid Smith
Dr. Santia Decks
Varonica "The VV Show" Mitchell
Brooke Hart Jones (Founder and CEO of HBCYou DollZ and HBCYou KidZ)
Creative Growth Studios
Loraine Tate
4 the Healing in You Inc.
Jump Dreams, Inc
