B’Fly Girls, Inc. celebrated outstanding women and girls at their second annual Butterfly Ball at the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel. Returning emcee FOX5 Atlanta Anchor and Reporter Marissa Mitchell opened the night with the mentees ushered in by their mentors. Founder Lisa T. French said she previously had no idea how to start a nonprofit but B’Fly has flourished since 2005, currently serving 400 girls across the Metro Atlanta in 50 elementary, middle and high schools. Executive Director Toya Russell Phillips, MBA said hopes this year’s ball will highlight and showcase their expansion and growth to the community, following last year’s positive reception. She’s dedicated to showing what it means to the community to serve African American and Latina girls, when at times other programs can leave them behind.
Five college-bound seniors received scholarships, including Stephanie Garcia, Shantia Sanders, Sededra Arthur, Jessica Tinch (who also co-emceed) and Breyona Ledbetter. And female leaders who exemplify excellence and work faithfully to improve the lives of girls in Atlanta and worldwide were also honored as 2019 Women of Excellence. They were Kathy N. Waller, retired Executive VP and Chief Financial Officer, The Coca Cola Company; Nzinga Shaw, Senior VP Community and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena; and Angel McCoughtry, WNBA Player, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist.
B’Fly also recognized their own BFG mentee Ari Hawkins as the 2019 Youth Game Changer, a rising senior at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate. Operation Hope, Inc. Banking on Our Future Youth Program Atlanta and Pretty Tech, Inc. were honored as Community Partners, who facilitated two new initiatives for B’Fly this year, B’Money and B’Tech. The sessions were focused on financial literacy and STEM subjects. The Corporate Partner honoree was Hyundai Capital America - HCA Women’s Networking Group.
Other event sponsors included The Coca Cola Company, Made A Difference Foundation, Inc., and Miller Realty. School Partner honorees were KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, Brown Middle School and Scott Elementary. Throughout the night, guests participated in an online silent auction with proceeds benefiting B’Fly Girls.