Sharron Tendai and Shari Gilmore met while studying at Temple University, and 20 years later the sister-friends have launched a community program called Get Her to the B.A.G (Black Assertive Goals-Getters). This program curate’s wealth-building and wellness experiences for women and youth living in Washington, DC. On December 3, the program’s lead visionary, Sharron Tendai, will receive the “Beauty In You” Community Award from a non-profit organization called Beautiful I Am, for Get Her to the B.A.G. ‘s contributions to the DC community.
Since its inception in February 2023, Get Her to the B.A.G. has engaged nearly 100 participants and partnered with nearly 20 organizations, small businesses and entrepreneurs to deliver educational and interactive wealth and wellness-focused community events. The program’s events are free, open to the public and in partnership with the Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center (https://www.chacc.org/), a nonprofit organization in DC, and funded by the DC’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
Get Her to the B.A.G. makes it a priority to bring experts and partners from the community to share information. At their last event, B.A.G. Girl Summer: A Wealth and Wellness Retreat, they brought together participants to experience Tai Chi, learned about herbs and sampled herbal tea, participated in a sound bath meditation, learned from a womb health specialist and engaged in a vulva anatomy arts and crafts activity. Also at the event, participants heard from a Certified Financial Planner CFP® on the topic of building blocks of wealth. In addition to the program’s in-person events, Get Her to the B.A.G. has a virtual presence such as The B.A.G. Channel
(https://www.youtube.com/@herbigbag) on YouTube, where they post their B.A.G. EDU or educational content, and Instagram (@herbigbag)
(https://www.instagram.com/herbigbag) where they post events and opportunities related to their audience.
“Thank you for creating a space where people can share valuable knowledge and skills. Today we left mentally, physically and spiritually full“, said a participant from the summer B.A.G. Retreat.
Sharron Tendai is a native north Philadelphian, now living in DC, and Shari Gilmore grew up in Jamaica, Queens (NY) and now lives in Philadelphia, PA. The friends met in 2003 while both studying Journalism and Public Relations at Temple University. In 2019, the two conceptualized an empowerment program called Poetry and Education. The purpose of the program was to provide interactive workshops and outlets, and for self-reflection to young women of color. While this program was never implemented, it was the seed that grew into Get Her to the B.A.G.
Get Her to the B.A.G is an empowerment program that achieves its goals by engaging the community in interactive, in-person and virtual learning experiences.
SOURCE: Get Her to the Bag
