In The News
Black Walks For Pink
We'll Always Write Back
Black Walks For Pink
Members of BSI decided to raise money for the Cone Health Mammography Scholarship fund. In October, middle and high school members walked 2.5 miles to raise over $1100 for this life saving cause.
Immersed In Art
We'll Always Write Back
Black Walks For Pink
Middle school members spent an autumn morning immersed in the Van Gogh exhibit in Raleigh. Following this interactive exhibits, members took a beautiful train ride back to Greensboro.
We'll Always Write Back
We'll Always Write Back
We'll Always Write Back
Middle school members are reading "I Will Always Write Back" , a novel about an African boy and American girl who were pen pals in school and remained friends in adulthood. Because middle and high school members rarely meet together, they have created a pen pal program, which allows members to stay in touch, even when they don't see each other.
Welcome To The Family
Keeping Greensboro Beautiful
We'll Always Write Back
Rain showers couldn't keep us from having a fun-filled day meeting our new middle school family members. From jumping through hoops to sliding an oreo down their faces without it dropping, were just a couple activities they played to create new friendships.
Keeping Greensboro Beautiful
Keeping Greensboro Beautiful
Keeping Greensboro Beautiful
Members of the Community Outreach team spent a Saturday morning cleaning our adopted streets. Quarterly, members will clean W. Terrell/Orchard Streets in an effort to keep our community clean.
Good Food. Good Discussion.
Keeping Greensboro Beautiful
Keeping Greensboro Beautiful
You never know where a book discussion might take place. High school members had their most recent book discussion of "Punching The Air" at GIA on New Garden Rd in Greensboro. Members enjoyed delicious spread of flatbread pizzas, pastas, and salad. GIA is one of our newest community partners.
Power Off To Power Up
The Brew Crew & Designer Sweets Come Out On Top In Business Competition.
The Brew Crew & Designer Sweets Come Out On Top In Business Competition.
On Memorial Day weekend, students abandoned their cell phones to participate in good, "old fashioned" games with their peers. Three BSI members wrote the grant in support of their "Power Off To Power Up" initiative which was approved by the Teen Grantmaking Council.
The Brew Crew & Designer Sweets Come Out On Top In Business Competition.
The Brew Crew & Designer Sweets Come Out On Top In Business Competition.
The Brew Crew & Designer Sweets Come Out On Top In Business Competition.
After three months of research and product development, 8 teams presented their small business concepts to a panel of judges to see who would walk away with the grand prize for best "right now" business. In the 6th-7th grade division, "The Brew Crew" won with their healthy brewed tea and in the 8th-12th grade division, Designer Sweets won with their vegan shortbread cookie.
Grads and Ambassadors Enjoy Time In Charleston
The Brew Crew & Designer Sweets Come Out On Top In Business Competition.
Grads and Ambassadors Enjoy Time In Charleston
After a two year travel hiatus, BSI took its graduates and ambassadors on a 3 day field trip to Charleston, SC. Members enjoyed the sights, tastes and sounds of Charleston. A portion of their stay included an evening at Folly Beach.
Students Encouraged To "Breathe Poetry"
Students Encouraged To "Breathe Poetry"
Grads and Ambassadors Enjoy Time In Charleston
Katherine Malet, of "Breathe Poetry" facilitated a workshop to help BSI members tap into their creative side. Members wrote and presented poems about their "super powers".
BSI Wins Big At Kentucky Derby Event
Students Encouraged To "Breathe Poetry"
BSI Wins Big At Kentucky Derby Event
Youth Of North Carolina, Inc. hosted their annual Kentucky Derby Event at B. Christopher's in Downtown Greensboro. BSI Ambassadors were on hand to receive a generous donation of $3500 from this organization. We were grateful for the opportunity to participate in this year's fun event.
Members Visit Iron Pour Event
Students Encouraged To "Breathe Poetry"
BSI Wins Big At Kentucky Derby Event
Jim Galluci, local sculptor who has his artwork displayed across the United States, opened his studio to the public for his annual Iron Pour. BSI members created scratch molds for the iron pour, as well as participated in welding, forging and glass blowing.
Their Journeys Continue
BSI Distributes over 200 Bookbags During Lynchburg, VA Community Day
BSI Distributes over 200 Bookbags During Lynchburg, VA Community Day
Our recentl BSI graduates are on their way to continue their next chapter in life.
Le-Quan Robinson-West Virginia Weslyn
Marcus Davis-UNC-Charlotte
Lailen Williams-GTCC
Justus Skeets-NC A&T
Zac Horton-Working full time at GIA
Myles Luster-Florida A&M
BSI Distributes over 200 Bookbags During Lynchburg, VA Community Day
BSI Distributes over 200 Bookbags During Lynchburg, VA Community Day
BSI Distributes over 200 Bookbags During Lynchburg, VA Community Day
As BSI prepares for its expansion into Lynchburg, VA, as a gesture of goodwill, youth ambassadors packed over 200 bags with school supplies and distributed at a community day hosted by Diamond Hill Baptist Church.
"Runway Model" Proves To Be Super Role Model Too
BSI Distributes over 200 Bookbags During Lynchburg, VA Community Day
Legacy of Deionte Hall Continues With Scholarship For Graduates
In April, ACC marketing director, Carl Hairston, took to the runway as one of our fashion models for our annual "Grand Entrance" fashion show. The next month he became a "role model" as he spoke to BSI members about his early life and his career path in marketing.
Legacy of Deionte Hall Continues With Scholarship For Graduates
Graduate Returns To Do Two Virtual Cooking Demonstrations For BSI Members
Legacy of Deionte Hall Continues With Scholarship For Graduates
On April 29, 2020, the life of one of our BSI graduates, Deionte Hall, was tragically cut short. We wanted to make sure the incredible legacy of this young man continued. A memorial scholarship fund was established in his honor by his mother. Three graduates received these first scholarships in recognition of their outstanding leadership and community service.
BSI Travels to DPAC To Attend Black Violin Performance
Graduate Returns To Do Two Virtual Cooking Demonstrations For BSI Members
Graduate Returns To Do Two Virtual Cooking Demonstrations For BSI Members
Two bus loads of BSI members traveled to the Durham Performing Arts Center, in February, to see Black Violin, a Grammy nominated, hip hop duo from Florida, comprised of two classically trained string instrumentalists, Kevin Sylvester and Wilner Baptiste.
Graduate Returns To Do Two Virtual Cooking Demonstrations For BSI Members
Graduate Returns To Do Two Virtual Cooking Demonstrations For BSI Members
Graduate Returns To Do Two Virtual Cooking Demonstrations For BSI Members
Back by popular demand, 2012 graduate, Chef Julian, hosted 2 virtual cooking demonstrations for middle and high school students. Middle school students made Shepherd's Pie and high school students, Chicken Milano. Generous donors allowed us the opportunity provide members with all the ingredients needed to cook each meal.
BSI MEMBERSHIP
WE ARE CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING NEW MEMBERS
The next application period will begin in May 2023. To receive notification when the application link is available, please fill out the contact form below. We will be accepting applications for rising 6th-8th grade students only.
Thank You For Your Year Round Support!
A big thank you is extended to our major program sponsors for 2021-2022. This year's expansion would not have been possible without you!
The Black Suit Initiative Hosted 2nd Annual "GRAND ENTRANCE"
The Black Suit Initiative hosted its signature fundraising, The Grand Entrance, on Saturday, April 9 at the Elm & Bain Event Center in downtown Greensboro. This all-male fashion show, featured 19 men from the Triad who are making a positive impact in the community.
Dillard's at Four Seasons was the clothing sponsor and outfitted these super (role) models with the latest in spring fashions. These men broke out of their comfort zones to take to the runway in support of the young men in The Black Suit Initiative.
The first scene was "virtual fashion". This segment had models wearing attire for a virtual meeting. Models wore conservative tops and fun bottoms such as pajama pants, basketball shorts or comfy jeans and socks. The other 2 scenes were more traditional attire with some precious little models who wore spring dresses to match their dad's outfit.
Most models took the traditional runway walk, while some were a little more creative. Dr. James Osborne, a sleep physician, invited his wife to an impromptu ballroom dance on the runway. There was nothing "sleepy" about his runway performances.
The final scene featured some unsung heroes. These men worked in careers that were vital during the peak of the pandemic. A police officer, grocery store employee, custodial technician, physician, food delivery driver, truck driver , and a school bus driver were represented in this final segment.
A Big Thank You To Our "Grand Entrance" Major Sponsors!
Your generous support made this event a HUGE success! Thank you for believing in our vision.
Others Scenes From The Evening
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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 34 years and they have one daughter, Amariah.