High-Level Summary
In this episode of Rise Urban Nation, host Taryell Simmons sits down with nonprofit executive and advocate Bria Virgil to discuss empowerment, leadership, and systemic change for Black women. Bria shares her evolution from grassroots organizing and AmeriCorps to leading Ambassadors of Change and the Miss Black International Ambassador pageant system. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of mastering fundraising, nurturing youth self-efficacy, and building sustainable platforms where Black women can thrive.
Key Takeaways
Fundraising Drives Systemic Change: Developing robust fundraising skills is essential for grassroots organizers to secure resources and achieve lasting policy transformation.
Nurturing Youth Self-Efficacy: Establishing school-based healing circles and leadership curriculum helps young Black girls overcome early societal biases and build self-belief.
Pageantry Beyond the Crown: The Miss Black International Ambassador system redefines pageantry by emphasizing state advocacy campaigns, professional development, and community impact.
Embracing Organizational Growth: Effective leadership requires strategic synergy, transparent communication, and releasing rigid, self-imposed deadlines during restructuring phases.
Detailed Outline & Topic Breakdown
Welcome and Southern Foundations: Taryell and Bria connect over their Southern roots and AmeriCorps backgrounds, establishing Bria's lifelong mission of advocating for Black women.
Entering Fundraising and Nonprofit Work: Bria details how her AmeriCorps VISTA service led her to discover fundraising, dispelling common myths about nonprofit compensation and emphasizing creative problem-solving.
Ambassadors of Change and Mental Health: Bria introduces the mission of Ambassadors of Change, highlighting their in-school Elevated Outcomes program and the urgent need for healing spaces to address youth mental health.
Male Allyship and Structural Equity: Taryell and Bria discuss the role of male allies in supporting Black women leaders, addressing imposter syndrome and healthcare disparities.
Empowerment Through Pageantry: Bria explains how the Miss Black International Ambassador pageant creates holistic platforms for Black women to lead community initiatives and advocate for statewide policy reforms.
Leadership Lessons and Strategic Planning: Bria reflects on the value of project management tools like Asana, team synergy during organizational restructuring, and the lesson of releasing artificial timelines.
Future Milestones and Community Support: Bria outlines upcoming initiatives, including the tenth anniversary pageant in Atlanta and the spring 2024 Houston summit.
Memorable Quotes
"I am an advocate for Black women across the nation and creating spaces for Black women to thrive. That is what I want to be known for." – Bria Virgil
"Deadlines that you set for yourself are not real. Remove them, guys... you have to go through the whole journey." – Bria Virgil
"Do what you love and love what you do. Don't chase the money, let the money chase you." – Taryell Simmons
Resources, Tools, & Recommendations Mentioned
Organizations: Ambassadors of Change (AOC), Miss Black International Ambassador (MBIA), Youth Rise Texas, Girls Empowerment Network, AmeriCorps VISTA, NAACP.
Software and Platforms: Asana (CRM and project management tool), Instagram.
Key People: Patrice Harrison (Founder of Ambassadors of Change), Nancy, Steve Harvey, Alton Sterling.
Upcoming Events and Accounts: MBIA Annual Pageant in Atlanta (October 11–15), Houston Girls and Women Summit (Spring 2024), Instagram accounts @BriaVirgil, @NBIApageant, and @AOCInc.
