America’s Big Sister Foundation held an inspiring girls’ empowerment conference at Alabama State University on Nov. 2 at the Vivian DeShields Auditorium, beginning at 10 a.m. and concluding at 3 p.m. The event focused on bolstering confidence, resilience and unity among Black girls. The conference’s keynote speaker was Tragil Wade, foundation founder and sister of retired National Basketball Association (NBA) player Dwyane Wade.
Wade’s address left a powerful impact on the audience as she delved deeper into her personal journey, underscoring the importance of resilience and self-belief in overcoming adversity.
She recounted experiences of hardship that shaped her, revealing moments from her youth when she had little to eat and no stable home. “There is no way that I would have made it, no way that I would stand in front of you if I did not believe in myself,” Wade said. “I come from places where food was scarce and shelter was uncertain. But I stand before you, not with all the answers, but with the message that you can overcome anything you face.”
Wade’s words resonated as she called for a mindset of empowerment, sharing that her journey was marked by relentless faith and perseverance. “Every time I faced a challenge, every time I heard a ‘no,’ I got an attitude with life. When they tried to tell me that I wasn’t a winner, I got an attitude with all those who thought I would not succeed,” she said. “And every time I see them, I walk in their face and smile high because all they thought I would do was lose.” She invited the young women in the room to adopt this same determination, to “get an attitude” with any barrier life placed before them.
Wade discussed the critical elements she adopted to navigate her path: confidence, resilience and empathy. “I had to be confident, I had to have resilience and the third thing was empathy,” Wade said, noting how the foundation of her success was as much about understanding others as it was about pushing through her personal struggles. “Empathy means to understand other people’s feelings. We are losing that, and it is hurting our communities. We have to be the ones who lift each other up, who tell the next person how great they are, especially when society tries to push us down.”
Reflecting on why she started this foundation, Wade shared that her mission to empower young girls comes from her own painful experiences. “I attest pain into purpose,” Wade said. “When I started my nonprofit, I really wanted to be the big sister for young girls who need hope, because I know what it feels like to be without it.” Wade spoke openly about her struggles with self-harm, a difficult period that ultimately became a driving force behind her commitment to helping others. “I tried self-harm. That’s how bad it was for me,” she said. “But I want to bring hope into the hearts of girls, to show them that they can go through things and still come out stronger.”
Wade’s powerful message urged the young women in the room to believe in themselves, be resilient in the face of challenges and support each other. “I am here to let you know that life is going to ‘life,’ but you have to believe in you,” Wade said. “Whatever you are battling, you can overcome.”
Erica Sidney, the host of the conference, shared her own journey and encouraged the young women in attendance to embrace the opportunity to learn, grow, and connect. As a 2007 graduate of the university and a native of Verbena, Alabama, Sidney reflected on how her time here shaped her and instilled values that she continues to carry.
“Being here today is deeply personal for me,” Sidney said. “Alabama State was not just a school; it was a community that empowered me and prepared me for the doors that would open in my life. Today, I want every girl here to know that they are enough, that they are important and that their future is as bright as they imagine it to be.”
Sidney highlighted the mission of the foundation and the reason behind the conference. “We travel to different states to empower and enlighten Black girls ages nine through 18, focusing on mental health awareness and confidence building,” Sidney said. “For me, it’s about giving back and creating spaces where young girls feel seen, heard and valued. It means so much because I was once in their shoes, and I know the impact these experiences can have on self-esteem and self-worth.”
Drawing on her own experiences, Sidney emphasized the importance of having a “village” of supporters, mentors and friends. “Your village is invaluable,” Sidney said. “Take everything you learn here today, and then, when you are able, pay it forward. Support the young girls in your community, just as we are supporting you now. It is this cycle of giving back that makes us stronger as a community.”
Sidney noted that as a board member of the foundation, she has seen firsthand the challenges young Black girls face today, particularly with the pressures of social media and society’s expectations.
“In my role, I get to travel, and I have seen how powerful these gatherings are,” Sidney said. “These young girls are facing issues we didn’t have to deal with as much when I was growing up, like the overwhelming influence of social media on self-image and confidence. It breaks my heart to see young girls doubting their worth because of the images they see online. That is why we are here, to remind them that they are more than enough, just as they are.”
Tara Ellis, a panelist at the conference and leader of Aspiring Live Productions, brought her experience and passion for youth mentorship to the stage. Ellis was invited by Erica Sidney to join the panel and share her insights with the girls.
“Miss Erica and I did a retreat together, and she saw firsthand the kind of work I do with young people every day,” Ellis said. “When she asked me to be part of this panel, I knew I had to be here because this is the kind of event that can change lives.”
Ellis led a workshop centered around her mentorship program, “IAM, Period,” which focuses on building self-confidence and a strong sense of identity.
“This program is about knowing who you are, owning your identity, and, for those who believe, knowing who you are in God,” she explained. “Especially at ages 15, 16 and 17, it is so important to understand yourself, to recognize your unique qualities and to start discovering what makes you special.”
She spoke to the attendees about the critical stage of self-discovery that they are in, describing it as a time to explore their skills, passions and strengths. “Now is the time to start recognizing your abilities and qualities. This is when you begin to decide what kind of person you want to be,” Ellis said. “That way, when you go out into the world, when you are faced with choices and challenges, you know exactly what aligns with who you are, not what someone else says you should be.”
Ellis shared her belief in the power of community, urging the attendees to reach out for support and to help others whenever possible. “Overcoming these challenges is not something you do alone. It takes a community,” she said. “We are here to fight for our community, to guide each other, to make sure we don’t repeat the hardships of the past. We have to be the ones who are there for each other.”
Madison Ivory, an attendee and military service member, shared her personal reasons for participating in the conference and reflected on its impact. Coming from a background where self-confidence was a journey, Ivory expressed gratitude for the empowering atmosphere.
“What brought me here is how much this conference stands out to me,” Ivory said. “I never really had confidence in myself, especially when I was younger. Being part of this feels like the type of empowerment I wish I had back then.” Ivory credited her mother and Erica Sidney, who she mentioned were close friends, as important influences in her journey toward self-assurance.
Ivory spoke passionately about how the event could uplift Black girls and provide them with a sense of community and self-worth, especially in a society that often imposes limitations on them.
“I think especially for Black women, this conference is so important,” she said. “It shows them they don’t have to feel limited by the color of their skin. It’s about knowing that they can be great just as they are.”
Nyla Barnett, another attendee, echoed Ivory’s sentiments, emphasizing the transformative power of the conference for young Black girls. Initially attending through her aunt, Barnett admitted that she hadn’t fully understood the depth of the event’s mission until she experienced it firsthand. “Once I heard what they were actually doing, I realized it was much more than just working with girls,” Barnett said. “It’s about something deeper, a true sense of empowerment and support.”
Barnett shared that seeing other Black girls and women with similar stories and goals was a confidence boost for everyone involved. “I think just being around other Black girls their age and seeing others who look like them can really boost their confidence,” she said. “It’s powerful to see yourself reflected in others and know that you are not alone in your journey.
When asked about what she hoped young girls would take away from the experience, Barnett responded with a message of self-acceptance. “I want every girl to walk out of here knowing that they are beautiful and unique,” she said. “You are your own person. Don’t worry about anyone else’s expectations or judgments.”
