We, at The Pyramid Project, have designed the E.G.I Initiative to cultivate young ladies’ understanding of self-awareness, help them embrace their identities, and develop talents that are essential to achieving goals.

As part of the E.G.I, our Elle-vate Forum offers exceptional opportunities for young ladies to interact with, learn from, and build relationships with prominent, professional and successful women from different walks of life in corporate, non-profit and government environments.

The Elle-vate Forum provides young ladies with unparalleled access to such role models who help them, through dynamic and interactive discussions, learn how to take Power, Responsibility, Inspiration, Determination and Excellence (P.R.I.D.E.) in who they are, take P.R.I.D.E. in each step they take in life, and Elle-vate their mindset. These discussions teach young ladies how to generate a sense of self-worth, hold themselves accountable for their actions, build and sustain determination and become empowered individuals. They inspire and encourage the young ladies to use those learned tools and resources to build the life they desire and manifest their dreams.

In September 2016, we most notably sponsored six young ladies from Rolling Fork, Mississippi and Hollandale, Mississippi on a three-day visit to Washington, D.C. During the visit, The Pyramid Project ensured the young ladies had an opportunity to witness the grand opening ceremony for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, which featured guest speakers and performers such as U.S. President Barack Obama, former U.S. President George W. Bush, U.S. Representative John Lewis, Museum Director Dr. Lonnie Bunch, Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Angela Bassett, Stevie Wonder and Patti Labelle, among others.

Following the ceremony, the young ladies were among the first to enter and tour the museum. During the museum tour, the young ladies also had the opportunity to interact with Civil Rights leader Jesse Jackson, Harvard University Professor and Peabody Award winner Henry Louis Gate Jr., journalist Roland Martin and actor/comedian Chris Tucker. In addition to their participation in the museum’s grand opening activities, the students fortune continued as they reflected at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, visited with Attorney General Loretta Lynch at the U.S. Department of Justice, toured historic Howard University and toured the White House.

The youth’s weekend culminated with their attendance to the annual Elle-vate Forum, which took place at George Washington University Law School. Panelists included U.S. Army First Sergeant, Natasha Jameson Randolph; Fourth Year, Howard University, doctoral student Brandale Mills; and Natchez, Mississippi native Dr. Kwamme Anderson, who each reflected on and shared their life experiences as well as the actions they implemented to become successful, professional women. The panelists also fielded numerous questions from the students.