Sisters of Nia: A Cultural Enrichment Program to Empower African American Girls

Grades 5-9. Sisters of Nia presents a unique cultural enrichment program designed to reinforce and bring out the strengths of African American preadolescent and adolescent girls. In the Kiswahili (Swahili) language, the word nia means purpose or goal. This group counseling program helps girls plan and achieve their future goals as they make the transition from elementary to middle school and from middle to high school. Group sessions cover topics such as African and African American culture, positive female role models, leadership, relationship skills, analyzing community and media messages, personal hygiene, health, and education. The program helps girls in achieving the direction, identity, and critical consciousness that lead to more positive self-esteem and relationships with others, greater ethnic pride, and higher expectations for future accomplishments.