The Dare Dreamer Movement by Julene Fleurmond

One of my first blogs that I started back in 2007 was called GEM and was hosted on Blogger. It started with a poem I wrote called Little Brown Girl, inspired by girls I’ve witnessed in the inner-city who seem to be losing hope because they don’t know hope exists.

From seeing girls getting pregnant to dropping out of school, my heart breaks to see any child, whatever the background, fail to realize their purpose and worth. We see how women are objectified in the media and the way positive role models for African American girls are so few on TV. It’s up to us – mothers, sisters, aunts and mentors – to instill confidence in the next generation.

Overtime I started other blogs on my own domain and discontinued the GEM blog, but I recently was inspired to revisit it…

A few months back via the Internet I met an inspiring woman named Kara Norman who co-founded a wonderful organization for girls called GEMS and Jewels Empowerment Group with Adriane Simmons. Kara and I connected and she took the time to encourage me – she is truly a kind-hearted person who is being the change she dreams of seeing in the world.

Learning about the work the GEMS and Jewels Group does to motivate girls, from organizing etiquette classes to college preparation field trips, really made me begin thinking about how I could also mentor girls in my community. Remembering my own childhood and teen years as shy, unconfident girl, her group would have nurtured me so much to grow as it is doing for so many girls today. If every girl had dedicated mentors like Kara and Adriane I’m sure there would be more strong, confident women in the world.

The GEMS and Jewels recently had their Kick-Off Celebration for the year and below is a booklet I had the pleasure to create for them and a poem I’ve written dedicated to their vision and girls:

Dreams of Gems and Jewels

Your eyes glint
With passion for life,
Your dreams sparkle
So very bright.
You have purpose,
Worth, power and gifts
So walk and dream
With confidence…

You are one very special girl,
Who has the power to change the world.
You’re precious, unique, talented,
Intelligent too,
One day your dreams
Can come true!
This is why we celebrate you
Because you are truly
A Gem and Jewel!

More Information About the GEMS and Jewels Empowerment Group for Girls:

Website: http://www.gemsandjewelsgirl.com

Mission: The mission of the G.E.M.S. and Jewels program is to promote self-esteem, self-awareness, self worth and respect within the lives of young girls and teens. Through enrichment workshops/activities, cultural awareness, community service projects, mentorship, leadership/educational programs and social activities G.E.M.S. and Jewels will accomplish these goals and create confident young women who will make a difference in our world!

You are more than the choices that you’ve made, you are more than the sum of your past mistakes, you are more than the problems you create, You’ve been remade.

‘Cause this is not about what you’ve done, but what’s been done for you. This is not about where you’ve been, but where your brokenness brings you to.

This is not about what you feel, but what He felt to forgive you, and what He felt to make you loved.

I love this story that has been circulating the news and Internet, of a homeless man Ted Williams, who has been given the job of his dreams after years of hardship and living on the streets. He truly shows us that you can’t judge a book by its cover and that one can arise from difficulty and put his talents to use. Even more inspiring is how he used his weaknesses and current platform to talk about his faith and express his gratitude.

Watch this touching interview Williams did on the Today Show and how he was reunited with his mother after several years:

On my site Dream in Soul I had the honor to interview Dianna Hobbs, who is a writer, journalist, speaker, entrepreneur and now recording artist. She shared her heart and journey of pursuing her buried passion and gives advice to others who may need direction in bringing their God-given dreams into fruition. I am so very inspired by her wisdom and the many facets of her ministry, especially her publication for women, EEW Magazine and her new music. I had her first single “Do What He Said” on repeat recently while working on a project I had been struggling with. You will definitely be inspired by her words of encouragement:

When you have a divine urging inside of your heart it can be hard to ignore it, but can sometimes become difficult to press forward to what God has called you to do. Purpose often doesn’t come without its detours especially when obstacles and disappointments blur the vision God placed in our heart.

Dianna Hobbs can attest to facing obstacles when pursuing music, her buried passion. As the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of EEW Magazine, the premiere Christian publication for African American women, she has paved a path of influence in media throughout the years, along with pouring out daily encouragement on her blog.

Behind the scenes though she felt God drawing her to begin her music ministry. It was only recently that she got the courage to do what He said, and thankfully she did. Now Dianna is inspiring many hearts through her music, which blends CCM, pop, R&B, and sometimes, soft rock along with encouraging messages. In this interview Dianna talks about her journey and gives advice to others who may need direction in bringing their God-given dreams into fruition…

Lisa Bevere is a bold woman of faith, and I love the videos below featuring her story of how she came to ministry. Despite initial defiant thoughts and doubt she is ministering to women everywhere about the power of God. I’m inspired by her to push past my comfort zone and step out to what God has called me to do.

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