Do you know a teen who needs to be inspired?
Magic City Momma recently spoke with Chianti Cleggett, founder and executive director of the Young Women’s Empowerment Conference, about her upcoming event, which will be held on March 12.
Tell me about the Young Women’s Empowerment Conference.
The Young Women’s Empowerment Conference (YWEC) is an annual career-focused event for girls ages 14–19. The purpose of YWEC is to connect the teens with professional women and introduce them to varied careers. Regardless of race and socio-economic status, girls aren’t often encouraged to achieve their dreams. We want to show girls that they should dream big and pursue what makes them happy. I have always believed that it’s important to love your job — I do, so I know it is possible.
Why did you decide to start it?
In my own way, I want to empower girls to be their best and be happy. Throughout my career, it has been disappointing that many of my interns were college graduates who had pursued one thing, but had an undying desire to go in a different direction professionally. I would encourage them to pursue their dreams because I meet many people who are unsatisfied with their careers, and therefore their lives.
So in 2008, a few months after hearing about Maria Shriver’s women’s conference, I started YWEC. I had been asking God to use me, plus I have always enjoyed being a mentor, and this is the assignment He gave me. My desire is that the attendees will learn something at the conference that will help guide them in the direction of their dreams during college and throughout their lives.
Why did you decide to target young women?
I like to see women succeed. It energizes me to hear about women accomplishing another first or doing phenomenal things in general. Sometimes I reach out to say “congratulations” or “great job,” even when we don’t know each other. Also, most of my mentors have been women, and I believe in passing on what I know. What I know, is that women’s aspirations are equally as important as men’s. The women in my family, and many of the women in my networks, are both mothers and accomplished professionals. So, it’s important that I teach younger women to understand that they should have something to bring to the proverbial table…and something of their own to take away should they need or want to be excused from that table.
Can girls still register? If so, what do they need to do? If not, how can they be notified of future events?
Our deadline was February 12. Teens who are interested in applying for 2017 can sign up to receive our enewsletter on our website www.ywecbham.com. We will send out an email notice and post it to our site when the 2017 application is available.
Why do you think your event is so popular?
We have had teens attend from around Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and Texas. Girls have even applied from Africa! YWEC is popular because it’s a great event where teens come to simultaneously learn from professionals, mingle with their peers and have fun. They get empowered to genuinely believe in themselves, accomplish their dreams and help others. Numerous times, we have received correspondence from mothers who said their daughters gained a boost to their self-esteem after attending the event. The girls began talking to their moms about their ideas for the future, and the moms loved it.
Another big draw is that it’s a day all about teen girls, and it’s free. The advice, the goodies, the lunch, the entire day of empowerment is possible thanks to sponsors like Alabama Power and America’s First Federal Credit Union, as well as small businesses and individuals who believe in empowering our future leaders.
What is the biggest lesson you want girls to learn from attending?
I want teen girls, and women in general, to know that our dreams are important and worth pursuing, no matter what. Being happy is worth it. The other lesson is something I recently learned: God is infinite and He blesses us with infinite possibilities, we just have to be open to them. For instance, journalism has always been my first love. However, today I have three careers that I love equally—(1) my full-time career in sales at the Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau, (2) freelance writing/editing, and (3) leading YWEC. Before, I never would have considered doing two of these things. Now, I can’t imagine my life without them.
What advice do you have for other women who want to make a difference, but they aren’t sure how?
To make a difference, you only need to figure out the things that matter to you. Everyone has a gift to share, and there is always a need to be filled somewhere. If you are into fashion design, you could donate an item you create to a person in need each month. If you love to read, perhaps it’s teaching literacy to adults or reading to children. Try out different volunteer projects to see what moves you. As a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., serving the community is one of my top priorities. I also volunteer with various other projects, because I enjoy it.
What’s next for Chianti Cleggett and the Young Women’s Empowerment Conference?
Over the past five years, I have mentored about 15 girls from the conference. They are called YWEC Ambassadors. We meet monthly and have workshops on varied topics. The most immediate next steps are to host quarterly events to keep more girls engaged and empowered. However, I subscribe to Oprah’s principle that, “God can dream a bigger dream for you than you could ever dream for yourself. Success comes when you surrender to that dream—and let it lead you to the next best place.” That said, I don’t know what God has in store for YWEC long-term, but I am open to it for sure.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
I truly love having the opportunity to be involved in guiding the future of young women. I feel honored to have been chosen for this work and I thank God for trusting me with this assignment. As a mentor, it’s fun to be privy to teen girls’ lives, their struggles and their triumphs. It’s rewarding to watch them grow into awesome, accomplished young adults.
To learn more about the Young Women’s Empowerment Conference, visit www.ywecbham.com, follow @YWEC on Twitter or email [email protected].
