Our programs are unique because we've created a customized curriculum for Black girls by Black women.
The Collective Identity's program is a stand-alone mentoring program structured around the traditional one-on-one mentoring model. The Collective Identity's program is designed to be a stand-alone program or partnered with existing nonprofit programs that could use additional support for their Black girls and gender-expansive youth. Our programs are designed in such a way that if a student enters our program at the age of 13, she will graduate and progress to the next program. They will then become part of a new cohort.
Programs
The Collective Identity has constructed three customized programs that are separated by age: Balance (13-15), Thrive (15-17), and Abound (18-25).
Program Structure
Cohorts:
Each cohort consists of no more than ten students who will advance together through the two-year program. Each cohort will consist of 10 students, with no more than four cohorts per program, per year.
Confabs:
Meeting twice a month, the youth will convene in a facilitated safe space to have informal and private discussions regarding topics and issues specific to them and their experiences. All confabs will touch upon the basics skills of time management, communication, boundaries, nutrition and more.
To keep students thinking about confab discussion topics, the mentors will receive copies of the syllabus and update the students mid-month with playlists, books, articles, and more to maintain engagement outside of the scheduled confabs. We will also create a "slack" or a similar account that will allow each cohort to communicate electronically as a cohort outside of social media. Doing so will provide them a safe space to discuss "in the moment" happenings as a group when they have encountered implicit bias, racism, microaggressions, and the like.
Excursions:
Every other month, we will have culturally enriching excursions to encourage young Black women to open themselves up to new interests and opportunities.
