Bright Futures Program

ON A MISSION TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE

For nearly 20 years, the Bright Futures Leadership Program has encouraged high school girls who show incredible promise to interrogate social constructs of race and gender. In recent years, we have seen that many girls who have the least access to leadership, confidence building, and empowerment training often reside in the most under-resourced Columbus neighborhoods.

In 2019, through a partnership with the City of Columbus Recreation & Parks Department, Bright Futures relaunched as a neighborhood-based leadership program for girls in middle school that provides confidence building and empowerment training focused on social justice concepts in local community centers in the Hilltop and South Side neighborhoods. Throughout the program, girls participate in activities and discussions about concepts like institutional racism and sexism and explore how those systems of oppression impact their self-image, worldview, and relationships with others. They build critical thinking skills and leave with the confidence to advocate for themselves and create change in their communities.

The Bright Futures curriculum invites girls to process who they are and the power they have to make the world around them a better place through fun and educational sessions that encourage critical thinking and community building. By discussing topics like racism, sexism and intersectionality, we aim to upend insecurities rooted in oppressive ideas and institutions, and inspire participants to advocate for social change.

During this time of uncertainty around the Covid-19 pandemic, our team continues to work hard to ensure the safety of our young participants while still providing quality programming.

For more information please contact Christian Johnson or call or text 614-407-6574.

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Are you interested in learning more about how to join the Bright Futures program? Please submit the form below.

Bright Futures is made possible by the generous support of: