FIREGRL Clubs (on hiatus)

In October 2006, we launched our first FIREGRL Club, a unique media literacy, health education, and technology training program at the Intel® Computer Clubhouse at the John H. Harland Boys and Girls Club in Southwest Atlanta. At that time, members of our Teen Advisory Board (formerly Girls' Leadership Council) began educating girls in the FIREGRL Club about violence against women and girls and images in the media and hip hop. The girls have recorded educational rap and R&B songs and developing innovative materials for a campaign to raise awareness about street harassment.

The FIREGRL Club provides teen girls in the Atlanta area with information, support, and skills needed to develop leadership potential and create positive changes in their lives and communities. The girls receive ongoing training in health and social justice issues, youth organizing, and media production.

"We're on Fire": FIREGRL Club Wins State Award for Excellence in Health & Life Skills Programming

We are excited to announce that the HOTGIRLS FIREGRL Club program received the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s 2007 Georgia Area Council State Program Award for excellence in Health & Life Skills programming. The program also received a 2007 Honor Award for Program Excellence in recognition of our exemplary work in metropolitan Atlanta.

Click here to read about the FIREGRL Club in the New York Times.

Click here to listen to our anti-street harassment song, "Let Me Tell You How To Talk To Me," recorded at the Harland Boys & Girls Club (produced and mixed by CW). Click here to read the lyrics.

Above: Girls' Leadership Council Members in the recording studio
From left: Jakia, Amber, Sesyl, and Stephy

We are currently re-structuring the FIREGRL Club program and application process. All new participants will be required to submit an application demonstrating their interest in our programs and commitment to making a difference in their communities.

Goals:

• To inform girls about health and social justice issues that affect black young women and girls
• To inspire girls to raise awareness about health and social justice issues through youth organizing and girl-driven media
• To promote and support healthy decision making
• To challenge the way girls view themselves and change the way they are perceived by their peers and society
• To promote positive self-image, self-confidence, self-respect, and positive images of black women and girls

What Does the Girls' Leadership Council Do?

• Give their opinions and advice about issues that are important to youth
• Develop leadership skills and educate other youth about health and social justice issues
• Create educational materials and educate peers about health and social justice issues
• Get hands on experience creating media including web content by contributing to FIREGRL.com (Street Team members learn about web development, conduct interviews, and create stories/movies and other online content)
• FIREGRL Club participants will learn about media production while developing educational content for FIREGRL.com.
• The girls will learn how to create digital artwork, produce their own music, and design Web sites in a fun, girl-friendly atmosphere.
• FIREGRL Club participants will work with HOTGIRLS volunteers, Young Women's Leadership Council members, and mentors from Spelman College to create health campaigns targeting youth.
• Organize the HOTGIRLS annual Summit
• Attend social events and have fun