Power Chats & Relatable Role Models: Empowerment for Texas Girls

Not every teen and tween girl has access to strong adult relatable role models, especially ones who look like them.

We know that girls who are introverted or shy in new situations may feel more confident in small groups or one-on-one. Power Chats are a frequent part of Girls Empowerment Network programming to help girls become more confident and build their internal belief in themselves (also called their self-efficacy).

Girls Empowerment Network uses Power Chats to give girls of all backgrounds opportunities to meet multiple adult relatable role models whether they are participating in-school groups we call Girl Connect, at Camp, Pathfinder Leadership Summit, Spark Change Day and other events throughout the year. Our programs are held across Texas, including in Austin, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and surrounding areas. We’ve even held Power Chats virtually.

What Is a Power Chat?

A Power Chat is a term we use to describe one-on-one and small group discussions between girls and adult relatable role models about career paths, community leadership, and life in general.

Adult volunteer Saya Obayan, MD, MPH, FAAD, started volunteering for Girls Empowerment Network Power Chats in 2015 or 2016.

““We go to these wonderful elementary schools and… mostly black and brown girls in the school’s majority and talk to them about our careers,” she said. “The kids are so creative. They are so curious that I just felt so honored to share space with them and to be able to share my story and to let them know that ‘Look you know you can basically do whatever you want!” ”

— Dr. Obayan

Conversations can be about whatever is going on in their lives, career possibilities and topics girls are interested in discussing.

Power Chats are held at the elementary, middle and high school levels. As girls grow older, they have more questions about life after high school and careers to pursue.

How Does a Power Chat Work?

Power Chats operate similar to speed networking to give girls and adult relatable role models time to connect with one another. Sometimes they are held one-on-one and sometimes they are held with small groups that circulate from station to station with the adult mentor remaining stationary at one of the tables.

“The mentor would be stationary at one of the tables and then the girls would circulate throughout the room and talk to you and ask you questions,” Dr. Obayan shared. Icebreakers and interactive activities also help keep the energy up.

A team of 10-12 adults volunteers are needed to meet with girls during a Power Chat session, which lasts about an hour.

Benefits of Power Chats

Power Chats create community and make connecting one-on-one easier. Dr. Obayan shared her experience as a mentor, “One of the girls shared that she was going through a very difficult time at home… to have that safe space in school where you can say ‘Listen, I'm going through something challenging right now.’ And to have the ability to set that boundary of ‘I don't really want to talk about it, but I want to let you know something is going on’ and to feel held in that space is something just very special.”

Small group settings can feel less intimidating for girls and make it easier to share what is on their minds. “For girls who have difficulty speaking up, who have difficulty saying what's on their mind, or maybe hold back a little bit more, the small group setting is so essential because they will feel safer about sharing those things,” Dr. Obayan explains.

The ability to ask a professional in the field, somebody who looks like you and who has maybe had similar life experiences can be tremendously validating for both girls and their relatable role models.

How to Volunteer

Power Chats are held throughout the school year and into the summer at Girls Empowerment Network programs in Texas and virtually. To become an adult relatable role model, learn more about Girls Empowerment Network’s volunteer opportunities, which are available in Austin, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and points-in-between. Then you can sign up to volunteer! If you’re interested in supporting Power Chats, email us!

Girls Empowerment Network Board Chair and Social Work Clinical Assistant Professor Eboni Calbow, PhD, interviewed Saya Obayan, MD, MPH, FAAD, owner of Skin Joy Dermatology, which specializes in the care of all types of skin, hair, and nails. During their conversation, they spent time talking about Power Chats. Watch the full conversation. See excerpts at 2:22 and 12:45-16:00. This article was written by Amy Carr.