Meet Bianca Myrick | Nonprofit Executive Director, Consultant & Adjunct Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bianca Myrick and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bianca, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I founded Pretty Purposed due to my experiences as a young girl growing up in an under-resourced community. I wish there was an organization like this as I was growing up. Once I became a classroom teacher I also realized that more than ever today, girls need a safe space and so much more than just the academic curriculum. Although things could be rough growing up, If it were not for the long term love, nurturing, and consistent support of those around me such as my mom, family, teachers, and mentors-I would not be where I am today. So finally in 2015 while I had some extended time off of work due to domestic violence, I decided to use that time to heal, wrap myself in care, and start a nonprofit that would provide safe spaces where girls could develop leadership skills, increased self esteems, and just connect with caring role models. During the last couple of years, I also began working with other programs to support them in building capacity, so I began consulting.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am part-time executive director of two nonprofits. I am a consultant, and I teach at Virginia State University as an adjunct, where I get to work with students that are interested in the nonprofit and philanthropy field. I am also a co-founder and serve as Vice President of Collective 365, an organization that uplifts Black and Brown communities through grantmaking to Black and Brown organizations, individuals, and businesses. Essentially I am leveraging my roles to step into the nonprofit, philanthropy, and consulting sector full time after being a teacher for twelve years. It may seem like a lot but it feels very natural and aligned so I am excited.

As the founder and executive director of Pretty Purposed, a nonprofit that inspires communities to empower young women and girls, I am deeply committed to uplifting my hometown community by supporting our girls. Our programs include school and community based group and one to one mentoring, school based social emotional learning circles. Activities range from sessions on healthy cooking and fitness, self esteem and self care, goal setting and gardening, conflict resolution and communication skills; career development and leadership activities. Essentially our goal is to support girls and young women in being the best version of themselves using a strengths based approach. I think what sets Pretty Purposed apart is the beautiful intergenerational exchange between the women and girls involved within our organization. We value all perspectives and wisdom. Pretty Purposed also is truly a home-grown organization. We started with seven girls and we have grown to have partnerships with multiple schools and communities, and this is due to relationship building.

I am also in a part time executive director role at the Virginia Association of Environmental Education (VAEE). We empower educators with the tools they need to ensure children are environmentally literate. As a newcomer into this space, I am currently digging in to grounding ourselves as an organization, and developing partnerships to ensure children have access to outdoor experiences in underrepresented areas. We are also centering environmental justice, which is deeply important to me. Clean water, air, neighborhoods, safe homes, healthy food access, and children enjoying the outdoors should be critical to everyone. Additionally, environmental education is a very white- led space, so maybe I am here to disrupt that a little.

I am excited about a few things. Pretty Purposed just began some youth led advocacy work back in the winter, that consisted of a few girls participating in advocacy day at the General Assembly, where they speak with delegates and legislators about issues impacting youth. We are excited about our girls using their voice, and we want them to know that their voices and ideas are valued. We are also finishing up our own curriculum that we have been modifying and adapting to our program with the support of our girls. We are scaling it so communities that want to start girls groups can use it. We are also doing some coalition development that will be rooted in strategic partnerships designed to support young women and girls. This is really new for me, so it is invigorating.

Additionally, I have been doing more consulting work now that I will no longer be in the classroom. I have several clients I am working with that are doing great work expanding their youth programs and I enjoy helping them figure out what that looks like. I am also doing some curriculum development for the Virginia History Museum which is cool.

The road here has not been easy. Up until this year, I have been a teacher and serving in the role as nonprofit executive director. The first three years Pretty Purposed was all volunteer based, and now we have part-time staff-including myself. As a black and woman led nonprofit, we do a lot more on less. Studies show that we are significantly less funded than white led organizations. One way I am overcoming that challenge is developing partnerships, having a solid fund development plan, and this year was my last year in the classroom because I am pursuing nonprofit leadership and consulting full time. Fund development takes time, so I really want to make sure that what we have is sustainable. The disparities in philanthropy is one of the main reasons I joined Collective 365- I figured I could be apart of that change.

I think the big challenge has been how do I build the nonprofit while I was working full time?

Time management, organization, and listening to people is key. When someone gives me feedback, wisdom, or advice that is in this field, I discern, and then I listen and take heed. Having a really good team and being open to collaboration has also been a driving force. It also important to figure out how to scale and put processes in place for when you are not around. I also take things slow. So many people and organizations are in a rush, but I actually push against that and I am clear with people about that. Everything does not have to be transactional-can we just get grounded first? Can we take care of ourselves so we can show up for our community and others? Let’s build a relationship and go from there. I also stay really grounded in my faith and my beliefs. As a mother, my home is my first priority, so I also try to set solid boundaries around that.

I have also had to navigate personal challenges. As a survivor of domestic violence, it has been a hard to navigate that at times while being in leadership. I think overall I just want people to know that your life and work can align with who you are. Your story is also essential to how you show up in spaces, and remember that your lived experience is just as valuable as your education.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am based in Central, Virginia, where we have great food and lots of history. Maybe it’s the teacher in me but I love exploring museums. I would probably do the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, The American Civil War Museum, the Virginia History Museum, and the Black History Museum and Cultural Center. I also like being out in nature so we would definitely do some walking trails. Brunch and dinner would be at C’est le Vin Art & Wine, Southern Kitchen or Ms. Girlee’s Kitchen. I would also take them to Old Towne Petersburg for some antique shopping, and one of my favorite places to eat- DJ’s Rajun Cajun.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The women that have provided long term mentoring, encouragement, nurturing, and support from childhood well into adulthood deserve to recognized.

Those women are: my mother Darlene Myrick, two dear aunts Mary and Margie Myrick, my cousin and college professor Shandra Claiborne, my child’s first day caregiver Darlene Thomas, the women of Ayinde Dance Ministry, my very close circle of CCPS colleagues, and the women and girls that are connected with Pretty Purposed.

“The circles of women around us weave invisible nets of love that carry us when were weak and sing with us when we are strong.”

-Sark

Website: www.prettypurposed.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettypurposed/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/prettypurposed

Twitter: https://twitter.com/prettypurposed

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrettyPurposed/

Other: https://www.collective365.org/ https://vaee.wildapricot.org/ https://www.instagram.com/thevaee/