Programs
Leadership & Student Success Programs
Identity-centered leadership development for girls and young women.
J Smiles Empowerment® provides identity-based leadership development programs that support whole-child growth and prepare students to lead themselves and positively influence others.
All J Smiles Empowerment's programs are guided by the SHE Leaders Framework, an identity-based model that promotes whole-child development by building leadership from the inside out. Students progress through three stages — Secure, Heuristic, and Ethos — strengthening identity, independent thinking, emotional intelligence, and values-driven leadership skills that translate into real-world success at school, at home, and in their communities.
Programs are also adapted for transition-age young women (18-25), including young mothers and women navigating independence, workforce entry, postsecondary pathways, or major life transitions.
CORE PROGRAM
SHE Leaders® Institute — 10-Week Leadership Development Program
The SHE Leaders Institute is J Smiles Empowerment’s flagship program, offering a structured and transformational 10-week leadership experience grounded in the SHE Leaders Framework and designed to support whole-child development. The program helps students build a strong sense of identity, increase confidence, strengthen decision-making skills, and develop the mindset and character needed to lead themselves and others.
Through interactive sessions, guided discussions, reflection activities, and real-life application exercises, participants progress from self-awareness to purposeful action. The program emphasizes emotional intelligence, communication skills, resilience, goal setting, and values-driven leadership.
Each session provides opportunities for students to practice new skills in a supportive environment and apply what they learn to real-world situations at school, at home, and in their communities.
By the end of the program, participants demonstrate increased confidence, stronger interpersonal skills, improved decision-making, and a clearer sense of personal responsibility and leadership potential.
Format: Weekly sessions over 10 weeks
Ideal for: Schools, youth-serving organizations, and community-based programs
SHE Leaders® Intensive — 4-Week Program
High-impact, focused learning in a shorter format. Each series strengthens a core leadership and social-emotional domain, allowing students to build measurable growth within a condensed schedule.
Focus areas may include:
- Identity & self-awareness
- Emotional intelligence & mindset
- Communication & healthy relationships
- Decision-making & integrity
- Leadership purpose & pathways
Ideal for: Enrichment blocks, short-term series, and small cohorts
Additional Experiences
- Small Group Leadership Coaching – Personalized, relationship-centered coaching for deeper emotional intelligence and communication growth.
- School Assemblies & Leadership Talks – Dynamic large-group experiences that inspire identity and leadership shifts.
- Community & Partner Workshops – Customized programs for community centers, churches, and youth organizations.
Custom Workshops
Looking for something more tailored?
In addition to our Signature Programs, J Smiles Empowerment offers customized workshops, assemblies, and engagement experiences designed to meet the unique needs of schools, organizations, and communities.
Periodically, private cohorts of our Signature 10-Week Program may also be offered for families through an application-based enrollment process.
OUTCOMES
Our outcomes reflect a full developmental arc — students build emotional intelligence, strengthen social-emotional competencies, and translate those skills into identity-based leadership.
- Understand and articulate who they are
- Regulate emotions and respond thoughtfully
- Strengthen communication and relationship skills
- Make responsible, value-aligned decisions
- Build authentic confidence
- Navigate peer pressure and challenges
- Lead themselves, and others with integrity
WHO WE SERVE
- Girls and transitioned-age young women (primary focus)
- Middle and high school students
- Transitioned-age young women (18-25), including young mothers and women navigating independence, workforce entry, postsecondary pathways, or major life transitions
- Opportunity youth
- Justice-impacted youth
- Leadership cohorts and affinity groups
- Boys’ groups available upon request
What our Partners and Students Experience
My average customer rating is 5 / 5
I attend Grace Academy School. Ms. Jami came to my school to speak to the girls about the importance of self-love, self-esteem, self-care, and self-respect. By the time she left, we were all empowered. I personally felt I could do and conquer anything. Thank you, Ms. Jami, for making a positive change in our lives.
“I really loved the experience with the program and would like if this keeps going in the future."
