OUR MISSION
Braiding With A Twist's Mission
Braiding With A Twist’s mission is to empower youth by creating an environment where they can learn, grow, and believe in their inner and outer beauty by way of braiding.
We envision a community where our youth can thrive as successful, healthy entrepreneurs.
WHO WE SERVE
Braiding With A Twist Serves...
Annually, Braiding With A Twist enrolls 100 at-risk teens ages 11-17 years, many who face the challenges of living in high poverty within St. Petersburg. Classes are held at the Campbell Park Resource Center, located in the neighborhoods with scarce opportunities for teens.
MARLO'S STORY
As Braiding With A Twist's Founder and Executive Director, Marlo Jenkins created the program from her experiences growing up in south St. Pete and dropping out of the 9th grade as a teen mother. Marlo's challenges with poverty, school failures, foster care, and teen motherhood led her on a journey of grit, resilience, and self-discovery, raising four children, completing a bachelor's degree, and starting a non-profit to help at-risk teens.
Marlo's understanding of at-risk teens' needs guides the Braiding With A Twist program, engaging teens facing similar challenges. The program connects with teens' interests and passions in braiding, a highly valued activity in the African American community.
Braiding With A Twist's ultimate goal is for teens to explore their feelings, feel empowered, love themselves, and plan for their futures.
Meet Marlo Jenkins, the Founder
