BSI Members Bake Cookies For First Responders
On a Saturday in October, BSI members made hundreds of cookies to present to local first responders and nurses as an expression of appreciation for keeping our community safe and healthy.
In The News
BSI To Debut New Video On TikTok
BSI Gains International Attention In Recent News Story
BSI Members Spend Day At The Wyndham Tournament
As a way to showcase the new blended BSI family, members decided to shoot a video for TikTok, which will premier on September 18. Be sure to follow us on TikTok @BSI-Greensboro (bsigso) to see our new family!
BSI Members Spend Day At The Wyndham Tournament
BSI Gains International Attention In Recent News Story
BSI Members Spend Day At The Wyndham Tournament
The Weaver Foundation, a community partner of The Black Suit Initiative, allowed several members of the organization to experience VIP treatment at the Wyndham Golf Tournament in August.
BSI Gains International Attention In Recent News Story
BSI Gains International Attention In Recent News Story
BSI Gains International Attention In Recent News Story
Earlier this year, BSI went on a virtual guided tour of the bushlands of Australia. This tour, was provided by Hop A Tour Ltd. This virtual tour company chose BSI to be featured in an International news story on VOA News which reaches 85 counties in 46 languages!
Members Write, Produce YouTube Video
Student Garden Boxes Produce Bountiful Harvest
BSI Gains International Attention In Recent News Story
Recent BSI graduate, Justus Pool, was selected as a member of the Honors Student Council at North Carolina Central University, where he is studying Criminal Justice.
This student board serves as the liaison between the director and student members to ensure quality programming, provide student input, create community service opportunities, and assist with student engagement.
BSI-Lynchburg? It's a Possibility
Student Garden Boxes Produce Bountiful Harvest
Student Garden Boxes Produce Bountiful Harvest
On August 21, several members of our youth ambassadors went to Lynchburg, Va to begin our expansion research. We were honored to have been participants in the Heroes in Training Conference hosted by Diamond Hill Baptist Church.
Student Garden Boxes Produce Bountiful Harvest
Student Garden Boxes Produce Bountiful Harvest
Student Garden Boxes Produce Bountiful Harvest
Throughout the summer, students harvested squash, tomatoes, onions, and peppers to distribute to families throughout the community. This was made possible through a grant through the Teen Grantmaking Council.
Local Artist Teaches Canvas Painting Workshop
Local Artist Teaches Canvas Painting Workshop
Local Artist Teaches Canvas Painting Workshop
On a sweltering Saturday afternoon, artist Hubert Jones, worked with BSI members on perfecting their painting techniques as they created their original sunset designs.
BSI Members Create Beautiful Tribute To Moms
Local Artist Teaches Canvas Painting Workshop
Local Artist Teaches Canvas Painting Workshop
Carrie Little, with Abba Design, allowed young men the opportunity to let their creativity bloom as they created live fresh cut arrangements for Mother's Day.
More Members. More Food. More Hands.
Local Artist Teaches Canvas Painting Workshop
2012 Graduate Hosts Virtual Cooking Demonstration
High school students kicked off the school year by preparing lunch for the entire BSI family. Members prepared tacos with 2 types of salsa made from the vegetables harvested from their garden boxes.
2012 Graduate Hosts Virtual Cooking Demonstration
High Profile Corporate Executives Zoom In For Saturday Meetings
2012 Graduate Hosts Virtual Cooking Demonstration
Chef Julian Mitchell, a 2012 graduate of The Sparrow's Nest,Inc., taught members of The Black Suit Initiative how to cook American Goulash. Students were all provided with boxes of ingredients to be able to cook from their own kitchens. For many, this was their first time cooking a meal.
High Profile Corporate Executives Zoom In For Saturday Meetings
High Profile Corporate Executives Zoom In For Saturday Meetings
High Profile Corporate Executives Zoom In For Saturday Meetings
Our partnership with the local office of Nasdaq, has provided us with access to successful corporate executives from across the country. Last month we had successful entrepreneur and President and CEO of Atlantic Life, Roosevelt Giles, speak on his humble begins to his rise up the corporate ladder. In February students were able to interact with co-founder of Starbucks, Dave Olsen.
Work Hard. Play Harder
High Profile Corporate Executives Zoom In For Saturday Meetings
High Profile Corporate Executives Zoom In For Saturday Meetings
Although it was a difficult year, students still read novels, worked in the garden, held food drives and attended workshops. Sometimes, you just have to let go and have some fun! Students spent a Saturday afternoon playing outdoor laser tag. It was a great team building exercise and a great way to forget about the woes of the world.
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Meet The Founder
Evainna W. Ross
Born in Lynchburg, VA, Evainna W. Ross has dedicated most of her life to helping youth secure better educational and economic opportunities through the development of her nonprofit organization, The Sparrow's Nest, Inc.
Upon graduating from North Carolina A&T State University with a B.S. in Public Relations in 1991, Ross began her journey working with youth under the leadership of the late civil rights pioneer, Rev. Prince E. Graves. Ross spent six years volunteering as the youth director of St. James Baptist Church increasing their youth programs' participation substantially.
Ross took what she learned at St. James Baptist Church and developed a community based model and launched The Sparrow's Nest, Inc. in Claremont Courts, a public housing community in Greensboro in October 2008. The Sparrow's Nest , Inc. was a mobile service which provided free programs on Saturdays such as ballroom dancing, sculpting, culinary arts and public speaking directly to youth in 4 of the largest public housing communities in Greensboro. Because of the growing popularity of these programs, Ross felt she wasn't making a lasting impact only seeing youth in these communities once a month. For that reason, in 2010, Ross, with a panel of educators and business owners, interviewed and selected 50 middle and high school youth to be members of a leadership program called The Chosen 50. The majority of these youth were selected from the communities she had served prior. These youth remained in the program until they graduated high school.
During their time in the program, these youth were empowered to make positive decisions for their lives as well as their communities. These youth have developed their own small businesses, developed political campaigns, created a stock portfolio and learned how to purchase their own homes and cars.
In 2014, Ross was recognized nationally by the Ascena Retail Group as an "everyday hero" who has dedicated her life to making the world a better place by empowering children in the areas of education, social support and self-esteem.
The Sparrow's Nest, Inc. has continued to evolve into a program which addresses the need of an ever-changing society. In 2016 they launched their newest division, The Black Suit Initiative, an all male leadership and community engagement program for middle and high school students.
Ross has been married to Kevin for 33 years and they have one daughter, Amariah.