My Story

Hi. My name is Damali Elliott and I am all about young women! Helping to bring out their creativity, expand their knowledge, find their passion, broaden their perspective of the world, develop self Love and embrace sisterhood!

In 2009, I had a “crisis of purpose” and began a search to find my unique talent and life drive. I began to seek advice and build my relationship with the “one” who could help… God! I can’t tell my story without mentioning the author of it all. That year after many prayers and finding an awesome church…God spoke to me and whispered (with enthusiasm) Petals-N-Belles!

During my “crisis of purpose” I received numerous phone calls from friends and family members asking me to speak with the young women close to them, because they were either acting out, not focused in school or severely depressed. I thought it was odd that I was asked to speak with them, (what do I know?)but I was honored and excited. So I went on a few dinners and a couple of trips to the mall while speaking with each of these young ladies, trying to find the root of their pain. A few long conversations later, with a pact of secrecy, one by one each young lady started to let me in. : ) It became very evident that these young ladies were dealing with similar challenges; low self esteem, hanging out with the wrong group of friends and not feeling confident in their ability to achieve academically.

This experience changed my life! I lost a sense of time and identity, I found myself constantly thinking of ways to engage them and figure out the best advice to give. Light Bulb and a Huge Smile: This is it… this is what I want to do …work with young girls! But How? As I continued to work with these young ladies who were all in the same age group, all facing similar problems- all bright with a world of potential, I thought…what if I got them all together to talk? What if they helped each other through their problems and I made sure the conversations remained supportive and productive, giving my input when necessary.

With the support of family and friends I went after this. Curious if there was a need. I held a dinner at my home and invited all of the young ladies I knew between the ages of 17 and 21. They came, we ate and laughed and I proposed my idea. What if ...just what if we got together every other week for the next 4 months to talk about the problems and the challenges you all face as individuals, eventually finding solutions as a group.

My experiment was successful! I found that there was a need and each young lady that participated in this group walked away wanting more. Determined to bring my idea…now my dream into fruition, I created Petals-N-Belles. In the last year I have founded Petals-N-Belles, Inc. a group mentoring organization geared to young ladies ages 12 – 22 based in New York City.

So here I am, a year later, no longer having a crisis of purpose, undeterred and preparing Petals-N-Belles to launch this January 2011 with 18 young ladies in high school. This is my dream and I am relentless in my mission!

I work for Petals-N-Belles, Inc. full time and have exhausted all of my earnings, savings and credit towards it with a Huge Smile. We are focused on expanding the curriculum, finding amazing dedicated volunteers, working on the strategic planning and finding a permanent location in New York City. So much has been accomplished but so much more needs to be done. At Petals-N-Belles we look forward and rarely look back!

If you have read thus far; I commend you and ask that you pay close attention. We need your help! If you love the thought of young women having a safe space to discuss real life issues and receive awesome guidance or love a good story about an everyday person fulfilling her dream and passion. This is it! - Please support Petals-N-Belles anyway you can. I have no doubt that together we can create something enchanting that will blossom in our communities and change desserts into gardens.

CHANGE A LIFE TODAY

Petals-N-Belles offers individuals, corporations, foundations and NGOs– an opportunity to participate in a program that ensures not only the social and cultural development of young ladies but also a way of understanding their place in the world.

Change a Perspective. Change a Life. Donate Today.

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• Petals-N-Belles

  “You want to change the world, just change one girl’s life and that will have a ripple effect more powerful than you can ever imagine.” - Oprah

  
  

  “Every girl deserves encouragement, motivation and the opportunity to be heard.”

  
  

  “We encourage young women of all ages to dream, plan and strategize.”

  
  

  “PNB is dedicated to ensuring young women, social and cultural growth while inspiring them to dream.”