OUR MISSION

Make-It-Click empowers black girls to thrive online and in life through mentoring, advocacy, and leadership.

OUR FOUNDER

Dr. Sarah Bingham (aka “Dr. B”) is a native of Alabama and former foster care youth. Dr. B struggled in foster care to conform to the rigors of public education and spent many days in detention and out of school suspension. Despite her past, she became the 1st generation in her family to complete college and obtain her subsequent master’s and doctorate degree. Participation in several extracurricular activities including 21st Century (an African-centered youth program) gave her the confidence she needed to overcome the trauma of her past. Make-It-click was formed in 2019 by 3 former foster youth, Dr. B, Elizabeth Benton, and Jennifer Moody who were brought together by a common belief that girls of color with or at-risk of state system involvement need people, not just programs, to avoid being lost in the system. Research shows that abused and neglected youth are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior. Black girls in America make up 14% of the general population yet 33% of detained youth are girls of color. Understanding and addressing these realities is why our program was created. Girls of color need access to culturally specific youth programs so that they will have a safe space to learn, develop, and be their own version of success in life. In the words of Angela Davis, “It is important not only to have the awareness and to feel impelled to become involved, it’s important that there be a forum out there to which one can relate, an organization- a movement.”

OUR WHY

Make-It-Click is committed to catalyzing courage for young black girls who want to express themselves and embark on a path of purpose. Life presents many crossroads at any given moment, and it can be difficult to navigate the best possible solutions. As mothers, fathers, and teens, we often focus on many other tasks before focusing on our wellness and self-care, creating roadblocks to achieving what we really want in life. Our work at Make-It-Click is about expanding our capacity to guide individuals to be all they can be while still acknowledging the climb to get there. Our services are designed to uplift the black community while supplying various resources and mentorship that support, nurture and educate our girls. By sharing stories of culture, beauty, and other tokens from our people, we make an impact that empowers other families to do the same.

Living in such a complicated world filled with unhinged social constructs, we’ve all acquired a new sense of self at some point or another. For some, this was met through intention. For others, you may have been forced into a new journey that has cultivated various changes. Naturally, there is a curiosity in this new chapter, and it requires a level of assistance to help us channel the purpose that is deep inside us all. With Make-It-Click, we’ve created a psychologically safe space of encouragement for those in the process of understanding their personal path and how to express themselves best with a positive mindset. By cultivating a tribe built on experience, professionalism, and divine purpose, we want to continue supporting every young girl who’s facing a challenging shift in her life. This tribe quickly transforms into a true connection where problems can be solved, concerns can be professed, and goals can be achieved, all without the feeling of being misunderstood.

Government Systems. Youth who are involved in both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems are often referred to as crossover youth. Crossover youth are disproportionately low income, female, and youth of color that typically have high rates of truancy and school drop-out, unidentified special education issues, and family histories of mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, and criminal behavior.

Research shows that abused and neglected youth are more likely to engage in delinquent behavior. Up to 30% of youth aged ten or older in the care of child welfare are subsequently arrested. It is estimated that up to 29% of children involved in the child welfare system also have cases in the juvenile justice system. Black girls in America make up 14% of the general population and 33% of youth detained; and 40% of girls of color in the juvenile system identify as LGBT.

Understanding and addressing these realities is why our program was created. Girls of color need access to culturally specific youth programs so that they will have a safe space to learn, develop, and be their own version of success in life.