Our Founder

 

As the founder and Executive Director of Go Girlz Inc., Shirley Phillips uses her own story as a testimony to how    valuable and effective distinguished role models and an abundance of opportunities can be to a young girl in the      inner-city. Growing up in the poverty-stricken Cass Corridor section of Detroit, Shirley was fortunate as a youth      to have positive influences in her life, who provided her with the necessary skills, love and support that prepared    her for womanhood. Inspired by her mother and the female students she has taught in both Detroit and New York   City, she recognized that there was a disconnect between who her inner-city girls believed themselves to be and       who they really were by nature. After daily interactions with these girls, and the combination of her own varied       experiences with low self-esteem and lack of self-worth as a teen, she realized the dire need to provide positive       examples and role models to this demographic, so that they could be afforded the same opportunities for which she was provided. A successful educator, real estate professional and youth mentor, Shirley continues to funnel this organization with her passion and undying devotion to the empowerment and advancement of our girls.

Shirley’s educational and professional experiences include a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from the University of Michigan, A Master’s degree in Education from Marygrove College, A Fellowship award from the NYC Writing Project ( Lehman College), as well as various community service and literary honors. She is an advocate for women and children and has served on the board of SADA’S House, a non-profit for domestic violence prevention against women and children. Presently, Shirley is an educator within the NYC public school system, as well as a real estate professional.

“I want every young girl to know that their worth is not determined by what society thinks. I want them to know that being female is a blessing and not a curse. Most importantly, I want to teach inner-city girls that their way of thinking determines their way of acting. If you think lovingly, you will act lovingly—not only towards others, but, most importantly, towards yourself.”

                                                                                                                                            –Shirley Phillips