Gem-N-Me is an all-girls program in Cleveland, Ohio. It was developed to teach leadership and empowerment skills because there are a number of dynamics in our modern society which impede the progress of young girls and women of color.These forces work include: misinformation via social media, the “sexualization” of young girls, increased poverty, domestic violence, trafficking, and self-medication to name a few.
We work to encourage, enlighten and empower adolescent girls in the choices, and challenges in their lives. Every session is based off a gem’s characteristic-which we continue to do in the blog. This month’s gem is fire opal. Fire opal focuses on vision and creativity. With the fire opal, we learn that real creativity lights a fire within you. Some of the characteristics include:
Facilitates creativity and new ideas- Raises the passion of love
- Increases energy and motivation
- Supports during times of change
- Protects against danger
- Helps to increase wealth
In just this short period, we have learned to become the Jill of all trades. From nothing we have produced, marketed, and created a brand on our own. We have done this while facilitating our own projects and services. From the beginning, we have been conscious of listening to other people’s visions so that it does not taint our vision. For the creator, it is important that you tap into your own creativity and not everyone else’s ideas-no matter how good they are-taint your own vision. What is yours is yours.
Thinking outside the box, the idea came about to do an incentive program. Since each session is based on a gemstone characteristic, our Gems should receive that gem at the end of each session. Co-Founder Kristiaun created handmade jewelry while she was in graduate school and the bracelets are a natural extension of her creativity.
This sparked the creation of ideas beyond what we are able to do at this stage of our program. Currently, we both work full-time jobs, and have families. Both co-founders have had to learn to be creative with time and the balancing of home and life during the start-up phase.
To help with your personal creative process:
- Don’t be afraid to let your mind wander-Think outside the box. Talk your ideas out loud. No idea is a stupid idea.
- Find the environment that allows you to be creative. Some people like quiet places, some are only able to function when they have procrastinated and have a tight deadline.
- Take care of yourself! Eat. Sleep. Practice mindfulness. It’s amazing how much an empty stomach inhibits our ability to be creative and productive.
- Get rid of your to-do list- Have you ever sat down to be creative but could not because your to-do list was in the back of your head (laundry, grocery shopping, wash car etc). When our minds are clear we are able to let our minds wander.
- Be fearless- don’t listen to other people and let them stifle your creativity.
“Girls and women should learn all things on their own and not have to depend on anyone else.”
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