Camp I Can One Day of Sisterhood
Camp I Can is a favorite annual weekend leadership and personal development retreat for the RWF Girls into Women Program. This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, we had to postpone our weekend away. Camp I Can One Day was born and our girls came together on the grounds of the Boys and Girls Club Collingwood Campus for a beautiful day of sisterhood, and teambuilding. Using what they learned during our spring and summer RWF Zone virtual workouts, teens filmed mini workout videos; created beautiful art; planned activities for our quarterly RWF Cares Community Outreach Initiative and engaged in a fun trust building maze led by RWF Program Manager, Arlisa Robinson.
We also had our annual backpack and school supply giveaway so our teens would be prepared for at home learning when school began. Thank you to our sponsors, Laborers' Local 1191, Laborers' Local 1076, Retired Detroit Police Officer, Ron Griffin and GrindTime Fitness.
A special thank you to our guest teen facilitator, Kendyl Barfield for leading our art workshop, and RWF volunteers Kelita McCall and Adrienne Long for facilitating our fitness and community outreach workshops. A special thank you to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Michigan for our ongoing partnership to empower Detroit youth.
8TH AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY GOLF CHALLENGE RAISES OVER 300K
The Detroit Auto Industry Comes Out to Support RWF Programs
On Monday, August 24, 2020, the Metro Detroit auto industry came together at TPC-Michigan in Dearborn, Michigan for a day of golf with a purpose. The entire sold out event took place outdoors to adhere to social distancing and keep everyone safe.
Foursomes teed off to win the annual crystal trophy and to take the top foursome photo prize. This year's smaller outing welcomed a committed group of supporters who are invested in our mission to empower Detroit youth. We are especially grateful to Lear Corporation for their three years as our title sponsor!
Learn More
Thank you to our 2020 Title Sponsor
Lear Corporation
For information about next year's Automotive Industry Golf Challenge, please contact us at 313-309-9234 or golfchallenge@rhondawalkerfoundation.org
RWF Scholar Power Caravan Awards 2020 Scholarships
RWF Class of 2020 Awarded $35,000 in Scholarships
On Saturday, May 30, 2020, WDIV-TV 4 News Anchor, Rhonda Walker awarded $35,000 in scholarships to 7 outstanding graduating seniors completing the Rhonda Walker Foundation (RWF) Girls into Women Program with honors. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and adhering to Michigan’s Stay Home mandates this year’s 14th Annual Scholar Power Scholarship event had to be cancelled but RWF was determined to award these accomplished Detroit seniors with scholarships for college. The surprise caravan was made up of nearly 20 cars including members of their board of directors, staff, volunteers and mentors and RWF alumnae who drove to the homes of each senior in a RWF Scholar Power Parade and presented them with well-deserved scholarship checks.
See more photos from our amazing day of celebrating the RWF Class of 2020
Thank you to our donors
A special thank you to Lear Charitable Foundation and the Rizik Family Philanthropic Fund for contributing to the RWF Scholarship Fund.
You can help ensure more teen girls receive the support they need to help with college expenses by clicking the link below to donate to our scholarship fund.
RWF TEENS AT CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY
RWF Teens help to host the Ladies Who Lead Luncheon
Thank you to the Renaissance Chapter of the Links for inviting our teens to celebrate International Women’s Day at the Ladies Who Lead Luncheon! Our girls proudly served as hostesses for this inspiring afternoon held at the Colony Club in Downtown Detroit. A special thanks to Susan L. Taylor, CEO and Founder of National CARES Mentoring Movement and Editor and Chief Emeritus of Essence Magazine and Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, National President of The Links, for spending time with our girls to talk about celebrating who they are, being empowered and being “Unbought and Unbossed”! This special celebration of powerful women gave our teens an opportunity to network with some of Detroit's most influential leaders.
Personal Development Put into Practice
Our Personal Development Program pillar teaches our teen girls skills like networking, etiquette and public speaking.
4HER COSMETICS USES CHEMISTRY TO TEACH ENTREPRENEURSHIP
RWF TEENS MAKE THEIR OWN LIPSTICK
On Saturday, February 22, 2020 Detroit entrepreneur, Alyssa Space welcomed the RWF teens to her lab at 4 Her Cosmetics for an exciting workshop on using your passion to build a business. Space, who is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in chemistry. She helped our teens to identify their passion and create a business plan. The highlight of the day was when our girls got to go into the lab and create their own lipstick . With careful instruction from the 4 Her Cosmetics team teens were involved int he process from measuring chemicals to selecting a personal color for their lipstick!
RWF BELIEVES IN STEM EDUCATION
Providing our teens with opportunities to explore STEM related careers is a key part of our education programming. African- American women hold less than 10% of STEM related careers. RWF is working to give our teens a new vision for the future.
GIRLS IN CONSTRUCTION CAREER INTENSIVE
Devon Industrial and Walbridge welcomes RWF
On Tuesday, February 18, 2020, Stephanie Burnley, Co-CEO of Devon Industrial group and her team from Walbridge and DFM Solutions welcome the RWF Juniors and Seniors for an exciting day of career development at our first Girls in Construction Career Intensive. The purpose of the day was to introduce our teen girls to the multitude of career pathways available in the construction fields beyond the traditional work site. Representatives from accounting, marketing, legal, human resources, information technology, and safety engaged our teens in small group working sessions to provide information about their work. The day concluded with an informative panel discussion with women representing the skilled trades and diversity and inclusion within the construction industry. We are looking forward to Phase II of Girls in Construction that will take or teens to a project site.
Girls Empowered Career Development Program
Career Development is one of our core program pillars. Our Girls Empowered Career Development Program is designed to provide our teens with a multitude of career pathway engagements to inform their choices and opportunities for a positive transition from college into the world of work.
RWF Celebrates International Day of the Girl
Rise Up for Girls Leaves Everyone Inspired
In a packed room, the Rhonda Walker Foundation celebrated International Day of the Girl with our inaugural Rise Up for Girls Breakfast at the Detroit Golf Club on October 11, 2019. Supporters were inspired by the moving testimony of our President and Founder, Rhonda Walker as she shared her vision and why she was moved to found RWF. What followed was a morning of unforgettable testimonies. RWF, senior, Makiah S. brought everyone to their feet when she proclaimed, "not everyone can be an RWF Girl, but when you encounter an RWF Girl you become a part of the Rhonda Walker Foundation."
.jpg/:/cr=t:19.79%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:60.43%25/rs=h:650,cg:true/qt=q:1/fx-gs)
our annual golf challenge raises $250K for detroit teens
7th Annual Automotive Industry Golf Challenge is a great successes
Over 300 of the auto industry's best and brightest gathered once again at the prestigious Oakland Hills Country Club for our annual Automotive Industry Golf Challenge on Monday, July 29, 2019. Our day included brunch, great silent auction, an exciting live auction, dinner, live entertainment and a great round of golf.
A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors for their generous support, Lear Corporation, our Title Sponsor a, BASF, Diez Group, Denso, Linamar, Hitachi/Hitachi Metals, Joyson Safety Systems, Magna Seating, On Semi, Faurecia, Celani Family Vineyards, Flex n Gate, Cobra Metal Works, Gallagher Kaiser, Windsor Machine Group and SET Enterprises.
RWF awards $55,000 in scholarships to our class of 2019
13th Annual Scholar Power Scholarship Breakfast a Big Success
We are proud of our Sweet 16 Class of 2019, our largest class ever, who were awarded $55,000 in scholarships at our annual Scholar Power Scholarship Breakfast, April 27, 2019 at the Westin Hotel in Southfield. In a room packed with RWF Board members, parents, volunteers, mentors, and special guests, everyone was so moved by the testimonies of our graduates. The celebration also served as a time to honor and recognize the support of our amazing volunteers and mentors. Congratulations to our volunteer of the Year, Quintell Foster and our Mentor of the Year, Cynthia Amacker. A special thank you to the Rizik Family Philanthropic Fund and the Lear Charitable Foundation for providing scholarships for our teens who excelled in community service and academics.
your contribution matters
Every year girls in our city face challenges that impede their future success. The Rhonda Walker Foundation works tirelessly to empower girls in Detroit to navigate any challenges and step boldly into a bright future and take their place as leaders in our community.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING RISE UP FOR GIRLS 2020
RWF PARTNERS WITH MAGNA INTERNATIONAL FOR RISE UP FOR GIRLS
The Rhonda Walker Foundation teamed up with Magna International this year to host our 2nd Annual Rise Up for Girls Breakfast to benefit our Girls into Women program. This year's event was live-streamed from the Detroit Golf Club to RWF supporters across the country.
We were inspired by moving testimony from RWF Alum, Courtnie Thomas, now a college sophomore and current RWF senior Arianna L. The morning also featured an inspirational video and words from our President and Founder, Rhonda Walker.
This year's breakfast was co-chaired by RWF Board members Lloyd Banks, CEO & Principal at Banks & Co. and Michael Montgomery, VP Global Purchasing for Magna Seating and a special thank you to Rise Up for Girls committee member, Sheree Calhoun.
If you missed our live stream, you can still watch on our Facebook page at the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/129515617125390/videos/392416088434715