New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/08/2017 -- Harlem Girls Cheer, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization that seeks to enhance the 360-degree development of minority girls and young women, ages 8-18, through cheerleading, celebrates its one-year anniversary today.

Six Harlem-based professionals first launched the organization last year on International Women's Day 2016. The idea behind establishing Harlem Girls Cheer (HGC) was to provide minority girls and young women with resources and opportunities that are often difficult to find, in order for them to grow and succeed as confident, well-rounded women. In the first year of the organization's history, the founders set an aggressive agenda to provide the participants and their families with a series of activities that provided empowerment, mentorship, leadership skills and strived to move closer to a long-term goal of gender parity. In honor of International Women's Day 2017 – HGC plans to #BeBoldForChange by participating in a day without women, wearing red in solidarity.

Radina Russell, Founder and Director commented, "Our first year has been extremely rewarding. We have been able to provide a number of unique opportunities to our participants and look forward to doing more within the Harlem community in year two."

In its inaugural year, Harlem Girls Cheer hosted educational activities such as an Independent and Charter School Education Fair, a College Prep Session that counseled the team's high school students, and a Personal Investing session for the team's elementary and middle school students in conjunction with BlackFem; Coordinated a leadership event, A Conversation About Diversifying Senior Roles in Corporate America, a fireside chat with an Executive Search Consultant for minority professional women aged 30-45; Hosted an outing to see Hidden Figures; Sponsored a trip to see the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions; and Developed a social media campaign for Black History Month that aimed to highlight black female athletes who broke barriers and dominated the sports industry in spite of adversity.

HGC also kick-started its first competitive cheer season with the Harlem Roar, the organization's official competition team. Since the launch, HGC has achieved numerous accomplishments both on and off the competition mat and within the Harlem Community.

The Division 8 cheer team placed third at the American Youth Cheer National Championship in Orlando, Florida and the Division 8 and Division 10 cheer teams placed first in the Empire State Youth Football and Cheer Competition. Harlem Roar is currently competing in post-regular season All-Star Competitions across New York and New Jersey.

This year the team will have its first ever graduating class. The team has three high school seniors who combined have been accepted into twelve institutions and plan to enroll in college this fall.

For more information on Harlem Girls Cheer please visit www.HarlemGirlsCheer.org.

Follow us on: Twitter @HarlemCheer | Instagram @HarlemGirlsCheer |
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#IWD2017 #BeBoldForChange #HarlemGirlsCheer

About Harlem Girls Cheer
Harlem Girls Cheer, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization that holistically develops girls into accomplished, active, confident women through academic enrichment, competitive cheerleading and character building activities.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

New York, NY -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/03/2016 -- Harlem Girls Cheer, Inc. today announced the appointment of Ms. Rashida Maples-Watkis, Esq. to the Board of Directors as an independent director. The appointment is effective August 4th, 2016 and will expand the Board to 7 directors.

As the Founder and Managing Partner of J. Maples & Associates, Attorney Maples-Watkis has extensive corporate transactional and litigation experience in the real estate, entertainment and non-profit sectors. She handles issues regarding deceptive trade practices, copyright infringement, secured transactions, breach of contract, unjust enrichment claims, entity formations, contracts for artists and labels, copyright and trademark registration as well as corporate acquisitions and mergers of small businesses, among others.

Attorney Maples-Watkis is a frequent speaker at seminars and CLE programs across the country and is also contributing editor to "She's The Law," HelloBeautiful.com's legal blog for millennial women of color. Attorney Maples-Watkis is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and previously served as the Director of Cheerleading for the Harlem Jets Cheerleaders from 2007 to 2012.

Co-founder and director, Radina Russell, commented, "Attorney Maples-Watkis is an excellent complement to our existing Board skill set, bringing a demonstrated commitment to the community, relevant cheerleading and non-profit experience and important transactional acumen to the table. We believe her experience will further support our goal to unlock the full potential and build a legion of active, confident and accomplished next generation women leaders."

"I have always had the passion to positively contribute to the lives of young women through mentorship and leadership," Attorney Maples-Watkis remarked. "In living out this passion, I am thrilled to be a part of Harlem Girls Cheer, Inc. as they continue to further the empowerment of young women yesterday, today and in the future."

About Harlem Girls Cheer, Inc.
Harlem Girls Cheer seeks to nurture girls, ages 8-18, into complete scholar athletes, focusing on mind, body and soul. Through unique programs, competitive Cheerleading and community service, Harlem Girls Cheer helps young girls blossom into accomplished, active, confident women with strong character. Collectively, the coaches have over 25 years of coaching experience and have helped youth girls actualize their athletic abilities on the mat, while simultaneously encouraging high performance off the mat - in school and beyond.

For more information about Harlem Girls Cheer please visit www.HarlemGirlsCheer.org.

Follow us on:
Twitter @HarlemCheer
Instagram @HarlemGirlsCheer
Facebook Harlem Girls Cheer
LinkedIn Harlem Girls Cheer

Media Contacts:
Brittnee Anderson, Co-founder
Colleen Dean, Co-founder
Info@HarlemGirlsCheer.org

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

New Initiative Aims to Inspire and Empower Minority Girls and Young Women through Cheerleading

New York, NY -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/08/2016 -- Harlem Girls Cheer, Inc., a new organization launched today, will put gender on the agenda in metro New York City through a focus on the multidisciplinary development and empowerment of minority girls and young women ages 8-18.

"We are excited to launch Harlem Girls Cheer on International Women's Day 2016 and do our part to accelerate progress toward gender parity," said Co-founder Tennille Tatum-Evans.

Gender parity is linked to economic prosperity and through competitive Cheerleading, educational programs, life skills workshops and community service, Harlem Girls Cheer will seek to unlock the full potential and build a legion of active, confident and accomplished next generation women leaders.

Charlotte Reid, Co-founder, noted "Girls and young women in our community are motivated and ambitious, but there are gaps in access to the type of resources and opportunities that will equip them with the necessary skills to achieve success. Harlem Girls Cheer identified one such gap in women's athletics and aims to narrow that divide by establishing a competitive Cheerleading program, the Harlem Roar."

The Harlem Girls Cheer model is designed to provide a supportive environment that allows a young woman to build her self-esteem and nurture her sense of community. The organization's co-founders Brittnee Anderson, Colleen Miller, Charlotte Reid, Radina Russell, Ashley Scruggs and Tennille Tatum-Evans, use Cheerleading as a way to simultaneously encourage healthy behavior, teach accountability, provide leadership opportunities and build character.

"Harlem Girls Cheer will also partner with industry leaders and local businesses to conduct life skills workshops on an array of topics that will inspire and empower our participants. We want to encourage the participants to achieve their personal goals and set them on a path for long-term success," said Ashley Scruggs, Co-founder.

Co-founder Radina Russell, remarked "We believe in the unlimited power and potential of women. If we want our girls to grow into active, confident and accomplished leaders we need to build a ladder of opportunity. Today's announcement is the first step on this journey."

For more information about Harlem Girls Cheer please visit www.HarlemGirlsCheer.org.

Follow us on: Twitter @HarlemCheer | Instagram @HarlemGirlsCheer | Facebook Harlem Girls Cheer | LinkedIn Harlem Girls Cheer

#IWD2016 #PLEDGEFORPARITY #WOMENWHOLEAD #CHEER

About Harlem Girls Cheer, Inc.
Harlem Girls Cheer seeks to nurture girls, ages 8-18, into complete scholar athletes, focusing on mind, body and soul. Through unique programs, competitive Cheerleading and community service, Harlem Girls Cheer helps young girls blossom into accomplished, active, confident women with strong character. Collectively, the coaches have over 25 years of coaching experience and have helped youth girls actualize their athletic abilities on the mat, while simultaneously encouraging high performance off the mat - in school and beyond.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm