Report on Be More Baddies Inc. and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

Be More Baddies Inc., a Baltimore-based organization, is actively shaping the future for young women through its flagship mentorship program, “Be More Belles.” Founded by Nicole Jackson, the initiative targets teenage girls in grades six through twelve, providing them with essential tools, resources, and a supportive community. The program’s work is fundamentally aligned with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on empowerment, education, and well-being.

Core Mission: Advancing Gender Equality (SDG 5)

The primary objective of Be More Baddies Inc. is to empower young women, directly contributing to SDG 5: Gender Equality. The organization works to dismantle stereotypes and equip girls with the confidence and skills to become future leaders, or “boss women.”

• Creation of a “sisterhood” to provide a safe and supportive network for participants.
• Empowerment through mentorship to help girls realize their full potential and dream big.
• Focus on breaking down societal barriers and inspiring young women to “Be More.”

Program Pillars: Integrating Quality Education and Well-being (SDG 4 & SDG 3)

The Be More Belles program provides a holistic curriculum that extends beyond traditional classroom education, addressing critical areas of personal and professional development. This approach strongly supports both SDG 4 and SDG 3.

1. Commitment to Quality Education (SDG 4)

The program delivers practical knowledge and skills crucial for lifelong success, embodying the principles of SDG 4: Quality Education.

• College and Career Readiness: Preparing girls for post-secondary education and the workforce.
• Financial Literacy: Teaching essential money management skills.
• Personal Development Workshops: Offering training in time management and personal branding to build professional capacity.

2. Prioritizing Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3)

In collaboration with professionals like Dr. Danielle Basalo, the organization places significant emphasis on mental health, a key target of SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

• Mental Health Panels: Providing a forum to discuss issues such as anxiety, stress, bullying, and cyberbullying.
• Development of Coping Mechanisms: Supplying participants with “coping kits” containing stress balls, journals, and other tools to manage daily pressures.
• Expert Guidance: Connecting young women with adult professionals and mentors for advice and support.

Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships (SDG 10 & SDG 17)

Be More Baddies Inc. demonstrates a strong commitment to community-building and collaboration, which is essential for achieving SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

1. The “Be More, Not Less” Charity Weekend: An annual event offering a full day of free workshops and activities for local girls, ensuring access to valuable resources regardless of economic status.
2. Collaboration with Collective Give: The organization partners with this Baltimore-wide initiative to raise funds for community-based programs, exemplifying a strategic partnership to achieve common goals.
3. Resource Distribution: By providing tools, mentorship, and educational opportunities, the program actively works to reduce inequalities and open doors for underserved youth in Baltimore.

Conclusion

Be More Baddies Inc. serves as a powerful model for community-based action in alignment with global development objectives. Through its dedicated focus on mentorship, education, mental well-being, and strategic partnerships, the organization is not only empowering the next generation of female leaders but also making tangible contributions to achieving a more sustainable and equitable world as outlined by the Sustainable Development Goals.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Identified SDG Targets

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • Explanation: The article highlights a significant focus on mental health for teenage girls. The “Be More, Not Less” charity weekend features a mental health panel to address issues students face. Dr. Danielle Basalo explicitly mentions discussing “anxiety or bullying and the effects of bullying and cyber bullying” and providing “tips” and “resources” to help girls cope. The creation of “coping kits” with items like stress balls and journals is a direct action to promote mental well-being.

SDG 4: Quality Education

1. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
   • Explanation: The “Be More Belles” mentoring program focuses on skills “not always taught in the classroom.” The article specifies that the program teaches “college and career readiness, financial literacy, anything that you would need to be successful.” It also mentions workshops on “time management” and “personal branding,” which are relevant skills for future employment and entrepreneurship.
2. Target 4.5: By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable.
   • Explanation: The program exclusively targets “teenage girls in sixth through 12th grade,” aiming to empower them and provide opportunities they might not otherwise have. By creating a “safe space” and a supportive “sisterhood,” the organization addresses the unique vulnerabilities and challenges girls face, thereby working to eliminate gender disparities in life preparedness and confidence.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

1. Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
   • Explanation: The article states that the organization is “breaking stereotypes and inspiring young girls to ‘Be More.'” This mission directly confronts and aims to dismantle discriminatory societal norms and perceptions that can limit the potential of girls and women.
2. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
   • Explanation: The program’s stated goal is “shaping the next generation of ‘boss’ women.” By focusing on “education, confidence, and the power to dream big,” and providing skills like “personal branding” and “career readiness,” the organization is actively preparing young women for future leadership roles in their economic and public lives.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
   • Explanation: The article explicitly mentions a key partnership, stating, “we are collaborating with Collective Give. This is a huge initiative across Baltimore that goes into programs like ours… So it’s a big Baltimore collaboration.” This demonstrates a civil society partnership aimed at fundraising and channeling resources to community-based organizations to achieve shared objectives.

Implied Indicators for Measuring Progress

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. Indicator for Target 3.4:
   • The article implies progress can be measured by the number of mental health-focused events held (e.g., “two mental health panels”), the number of girls participating in these events (“50 girls”), and the number of resources distributed (e.g., “coping kits”).

SDG 4: Quality Education

1. Indicator for Target 4.4:
   • The existence and continuation of workshops focused on “financial literacy,” “college and career readiness,” “time management,” and “personal branding” serve as an indicator. The number of girls participating in these specific skill-building activities would be a direct measure of progress.
2. Indicator for Target 4.5:
   • The number of girls mentored through the program (“mentoring girls in sixth through 12th grade from across Baltimore”) is a primary indicator. The program’s ten-year duration (“it’s been ten years that I’ve been mentoring girls”) also indicates a sustained effort to provide equal access to this form of training.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

1. Indicator for Target 5.1 & 5.5:
   • The number of girls enrolled in a program designed to “break stereotypes” and build “confidence” is a key indicator. The program’s explicit goal of “shaping the next generation of ‘boss’ women” serves as a qualitative indicator of its commitment to fostering female leadership.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Indicator for Target 17.17:
   • The established partnership between “Be More Baddies Inc.” and “Collective Give” is a direct indicator. The fundraising goal mentioned (“they raised over $2 million. That’s the goal”) for the collaborative initiative is a quantifiable measure of the partnership’s impact.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: wbaltv.com