As seen on Michael Baisden Live
Yandy Smith-Harris is a true #bossbabe. But as much time as she spends calling the shots and making moves, she dedicates an equal amount of her schedule as a mentor and helping young girls in need.
The 36 year-old ‘ serial mompreneur’ and television personality star partnered up with Towers High School in Decatur, Georgia to provide 30 girls with free dresses for prom.
Smith-Harris also shared a few words of empowerment, reminding the girls of their self-worth and value.
“We want you guys to know that no matter what challenges you go through, no matter how difficult this time of year may be, no matter whether or not you feel it inside, we just want you to know from our perspective, that you’re important, we appreciate you and you deserve to be a princess on your day,” she tells them.
According to The Shade Room, each girl was selected by their advisor and was also given makeup consultations from brands such as CURLS, The Mane Choice , Dove and Black Opal Beauty. The girls were also treated to a red-carpet, Hollywood-type photoshoot and words of wisdom from Ms. Yandy herself.
Smith-Harris has been giving away prom dresses for the past three years.
The #PUDPrincess prom giveaway is also part of her non-profit, ‘Everything Girls Love: Partners Uplifting Our Daughters’ or EGLPUD, which is dedicated to “transforming young girls into tomorrow’s leaders.” EGLPUD is apart of ‘Every Girl Wins’ Alliance, which partners, promotes and positions women to help other women through networking and investing.
During her inspirational talk with the high school girls in Georgia, the Harlem native asked if any of the girls were working or had internships. If they did, she told them to take advantage of those opportunities because they never now where it may lead them.
“Wow you guys are the bomb, cherish those internships. Learn as much as you can, build relationships at your job,” she told them, explaining how she received her opportunity to go Howard University thanks to a scholarship from The Gap Store.
Smith-Harris’s next endeavor is hosting her annual teen empowerment workshop for young girls in the New York City area. The PUD Empowerment Workshop is a four-week intensive program for girls ages 14-17. During the interactive workshop, girls will be mentored on a variety of topics such as confidence, self-esteem, goal-setting, leadership, dressing for success and public speaking . Yandy and a team of her “powerhouse friends” will be conducting the workshops.
“We share all of our ideas and tips about building confidence and becoming a future leader,” she tells her followers in a video posted on PUD’s Instagram page.
“I’ll be sharing a little secret on becoming a success, anything from creating a brand to marketing yourself to leveraging your relationships to finding your purpose,” she adds.
The workshop takes place on Saturday, May 5.
The media mogul has always been about women empowerment, mentoring, supporting and helping others.
Model Alexandria Janell calls Smith-Harris ” her mumsie” and considers her as one of her greatest inspirations.
“You have believed in more that I have ever believed in myself,” Jenell writes on her Instagram post. “You have never left my side, every single time I’ve ever needed you, you’ve always been there for me, no matter what.”
Smith-Harris is best known for her appearance in VH1’s hit reality series, Love and Hip-Hop New York. She is a public speaker and author of the children’s book titled My Blended Family. She is also wife and the mother of two children, Skylar and Omere.
To learn more about EGL Win Alliance click here
To learn more about the Girls Empowerment Project click here
