In The News
BSI Students To Launch "My Black Skin" Video In November
BSI Students To Launch "My Black Skin" Video In November
BSI Students To Launch "My Black Skin" Video In November
In conjunction with reading the "Dear Martin" novel by Nic Stone, students collaboratively wrote an open letter to America on their experiences as young Black males in this country. This letter is now being produced as a video and will be launched on November 18.
College Bound Seniors
BSI Students To Launch "My Black Skin" Video In November
BSI Students To Launch "My Black Skin" Video In November
This year, our organization partnered with Seed of H.O.P.E. to provide our 3 seniors with 1 on 1 college prep coaching. To date, all three students have been accepted into their "dream college". Collectively, they have been accepted into over 20 colleges.
4th Annual Food Drive Scheduled
BSI Students To Launch "My Black Skin" Video In November
4th Annual Food Drive Scheduled
For 3 years, The Black Suit Initiative has been raising awareness of food insecurities in Guilford County and has addressed this issue through their collection of thousands of nonperishable items for several schools and food banks in Greensboro.
On December 4th, beginning at 5pm, students will launch their 24 hour, "Locked In To Lock Out Hunger" campaign. This year, collections will support the Hope Chapel Food Pantry and Wiley Elementary School.
Life Skills At The Laundromat
BSI Students Serve As Zoom Panelists for Randolph College Workshop
4th Annual Food Drive Scheduled
Not only are we concerned about the educational aspect of the young men in The Black Suit Initiative , but can they sort, wash and iron their own clothes? Young men who needed assistance in these areas, spent the morning with volunteers Mr. Anthony and Mr. B learning these vital life skills.
BSI Students Serve As Zoom Panelists for Randolph College Workshop
BSI Students Serve As Zoom Panelists for Randolph College Workshop
BSI Students Serve As Zoom Panelists for Randolph College Workshop
Amir Funderburk and Myles Luster were 2 panelists at Randolph College's workshop designed to share ways teachers can make their classrooms more welcoming and supportive learning spaces for Black boys. The program was a part of the Education Department’s initiative on Culturally Responsive Teaching.
Graduate Launches Clothing Line
BSI Students Serve As Zoom Panelists for Randolph College Workshop
BSI Students Serve As Zoom Panelists for Randolph College Workshop
Keshaun Rhodie, a 2016 BSI graduate, is currently a senior at Livingstone College. Earlier this year, Rhodie launched his Create Your Own Reality (CYOR) line of clothing. This casual brand has tee shirts, skirts, shorts and will launch a division of track suits in time for the holidays.
BSI Members Visit Pieces Of Now Exhibit
BSI Members Visit Pieces Of Now Exhibit
BSI Members Visit Pieces Of Now Exhibit
BSI members spent a beautiful Saturday October morning at the Greensboro History Museum exhibit, “Pieces Of Now: Murals, Masks and More” followed by lunch and conversation. Because the pandemic has limited travel, it's great to explore activities within our own city!
Blessing Box Now Available 24 Hours
BSI Members Visit Pieces Of Now Exhibit
BSI Members Visit Pieces Of Now Exhibit
BSI members are also Venturing Scout members, which allows them the opportunity to partner with other scout members to make impactful changes in the community.
The Eagle Scout in this picture built an external food pantry on the campus of Hope Chapel. Members from BSI will help maintain the external pantry to ensure individuals/families in need have access to non-perishable food items 24 hours a day.
BSI Creates Partnership With Nasdaq
BSI Members Visit Pieces Of Now Exhibit
BSI Creates Partnership With Nasdaq
The Black Suit Initiative is proud to welcome Byron Loflin as one of its newest volunteers! Loflin is VP & Global Head of Board Engagement at Nasdaq in Greensboro, NC.
Loflin will serve as a monthly facilitator of financial literacy workshops which will cover such topics as entrepreneurship, stock investing, corporate board responsibilities as well as giving our young men access to speakers from around the globe.
WE CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOUR HELP
Shopping Helps Deliver Smiles!
The holidays are right around the corner and your Amazon purchases can bring a smile to our organization through their Amazon Smile program.
It's simple. Add our nonprofit to your prime shopping account and every purchase you make, 0.5% is donated to our organization!
Click on the button below to learn more !
Gift Cards
Looking for the right gift to give this holiday season? Walmart's Registry for Good now allows you the opportunity to purchase gift cards for our organization which can be used for future purchases, as the need arises. Click below and make your tax-deductible purchase.
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 30 years and they have one daughter, Amariah.