Today we’d like to introduce you to Bria Gilmore.
Hi Bria, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m an Alabama native from a small city called Midfield which is located just west of Birmingham. After graduating high school in 2010, I traveled to Washington, D.C., to begin my studies in Business Finance at Howard University. After graduating in 2014, I started a full-time position at a large financial services company located in Tampa, FL. Since I had interned with them, I had already built a community by connecting with a local church as well as with coworkers in the area. After recognizing that my passions were elsewhere, I stepped out on a journey to take the skills and resources I had gained as a business student and use them to benefit my community. In 2015, I joined the staff of my local church, Bay Chapel, and began connecting with the middle and high school students there. After serving and connecting with them, I realized that I had a passion for equipping and resourcing the next generation, especially high school girls.
I remembered what a challenge my teen years were and that the only reason they were successful was because of the women who mentored and believed in me. That’s what I wanted to do for others. So, in 2018, I set out to launch my nonprofit, EquipHer. EquipHer is a life skills and character development program for high school girls. Through hands-on life skills training and one-on-one mentorship, we offer an experience for teen girls to sharpen their internal character while receiving tools that will equip them for life today and in the future.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Though there were many challenges prior to my move to Tampa, I would say one of the biggest challenges was making the decision to leave my corporate job. I had studied for this career and calculated every step to get to my goal. However, it didn’t take long at all to realize that I was setting out towards a dream that was no longer mine. It’s a difficult decision to make a career change, but it’s even more challenging when you just started. I had no idea what would be my next move. As I began looking for another job, I started volunteering in an administrative role at my local church just to help out. Who knew that I’d love it so much? That’s how life goes, the next step will take you where you least expected. I was once a full-time volunteer and am now the Business Director overseeing Administration, Finance, and Human Resources.
This position allowed me the space and freedom to become the founder of my nonprofit, EquipHer, as well as launch my life coaching business. On my best day, I couldn’t have planned any of this out, but the ride is so much fun. So, for those who are struggling right now, my encouragement is that you’ll see that the best part of the story is the journey. The road is never smooth, but I think that’s what strengthens us for the seasons ahead.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When I founded EquipHer, it was with one goal in mind – equip and resource the next generation of women in this world. I am an administrator at heart with a huge passion to invest in students by preparing them for life ahead and partnering them with people who can be a resource in their journey. After realizing that I couldn’t mentor all the students I encountered, I knew that there might be other women who are just as passionate about mentoring. So, I launched EquipHer. It is a place where women – young and seasoned – can connect and grow together through mentor-mentee relationships and peer-to-peer relationships. We are most proud to see the students who graduate from the program return as volunteers for the students coming behind them.
There can never be too many mentoring programs out there. The youth need it desperately. And, if we’re really honest, the adults need it, too. We need to find a place to make a difference, so EquipHer hopes to offer adult women the opportunity to do something beyond themselves. This is a place to give back in a way that could change the trajectory of a young lady’s life.
Our mantra is “Journeying Together” because we never want to communicate as if anyone on the Dream Team (our volunteer team) has it all figured out. However, we are creating a space where we join their journey called life, if only for but a short time to offer wisdom as well as learn from them.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
My biggest lesson personally and within the context of leading the nonprofit has been to simplify. The Covid-19 Crisis forced us to simplify the way we do things more so than change them. Prior to COVID, we’d host our monthly gathering events, which include guest speakers, sessions, and activities majority of the day. After reviewing, we realized that we were just as effective with a half-day schedule. The fast pace actually kept the students more engaged. It’s easy to go overboard when you have a desire to do things well, but this year taught us that less is oftentimes more… or just enough. Students care more about consistency and genuineness than they do about the “bells and whistles.” So, we’ll definitely continue to navigate that balance of offering a phenomenal experience without running ourselves and the volunteers ragged.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@equip-her.com
- Website: https://www.equip-her.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equip_her/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EquipHerProgram
Image Credits
Chloe Dam Photography Meahgan K Photography Jessica Sizemore
