As an African-American educator, I often worked with students who, despite their potential, were deemed unteachable or problematic. I saw how labels and low expectations could shape the way that minority students were ultimately written off. In an era of Black Girl Magic, I wanted to create a space where African-American girls felt seen, valued, and supported despite the challenges they faced—where they could still grow and thrive, just like a rose pushing through concrete. In April 2019, The Concrete Rose Foundation was founded at Idylwild Elementary School. My mission began with mentoring at-risk youth—helping girls who were often overlooked to find confidence and strength. Over time, our focus evolved. We moved away from serving only at-risk youth to offering exposure and opportunities for girls eager to grow, explore, and dream bigger. Our work shifted from supporting girls through challenges to inspiring them with experiences that empowered them to reach higher and step into new possibilities.

​

What began as a recess group has grown beyond what I ever could have imagined. For years, Concrete Roses was limited to students at the school where I worked. As interest grew, we had to turn families away because our meetings were held after school in my classroom. Moving into the community allowed us to expand. Thanks to my Dad’s church, Shekinah Faith Center, we now have a space to host weekend meetings, making it possible to serve more girls across Greater Gainesville. This shift led to our largest enrollment yet—27 girls for the 2024-2025 term. The Concrete Rose Foundation is now more than just Concrete Roses. We are a three-tier organization offering leadership, exposure, and transformative experiences. I am in awe of how far we’ve come. We’re in 10 Elementary and Middle schools across Gainesville, traveling out of state for HBCU tours, step show performances, and being featured in The Gainesville Sun and on TV 20. What started as an idea is now a sisterhood—one that continues to blossom, inspire, and create lasting change.

​