Chez Smith founded Gyrls In The H.O.O.D Foundation, an acronym standing for Healthy, Optimistic, Outstanding, Determined. This organization, a beacon in Chicagoland, is dedicated to empowering Black girls with comprehensive reproductive resources, social support and sexual health education. In an enlightening interview with rolling out, Smith delved into the foundation’s genesis and its profound connection to her journey.
What made you start Gyrls In The H.O.O.D, and how does your own story connect with its mission?
Gyrls In The H.O.O.D. Foundation is a leading Chicagoland organization that provides Black girls with the reproductive resources, social support services and sexual health education they need to make informed and responsible choices.
As a previous administrator of Cook County Health and Hospital System, Division of Family Planning Services, I encountered numerous teenage girls who were experiencing negative sexual and reproductive health outcomes due to repeat infections, unintended pregnancies, etc. After speaking with them over and over again, I realized that young girls living in the “hood” weren’t receiving adequate education in these subjects. I wanted to do something about that. I went on to create our signature “Degrees B4 Diapers” adolescent reproductive health education course.
Tell us about a big challenge you’ve faced with Gyrls In The H.O.O.D, and what you learned from it?
Passion, love and empathy isn’t enough to run a organization. You need funding, and you need help. That has always been a challenge in this industry, and that’s certainly true for us. Last year, longtime volunteer Venisha Bonds joined us as Director of Programs, which definitely lightened the load.
How do you keep going strong despite the challenges of running Gyrls In The H.O.O.D. Foundation?
I have to keep going. It’s my responsibility as a Black woman to care for the next generations coming up behind me. I’ve been out in this world way longer than them. I know what’s waiting for them. I must help them prepare for life.
What’s been the most fulfilling moment for you with Gyrls In The H.O.O.D Foundation?
Some of the girls that we work with are housing unstable so, when the pandemic hit, we saw an increase of girls who were experiencing flat-out homelessness. Some were sleeping on train platforms, in the park, etc. Around this time we received a grant and planned on using it to rent a small space to work out of. Instead, we used it to rent an apartment from a wonderful entrepreneur, Amanda Henderson, and turned it into H.O.O.D House. This became a transitional living residence for young ladies experiencing homelessness. For sure it was impactful for the girls, and for me, it was a really fulfilling time. It wasn’t an easy thing to do because it meant that we would have to go longer without a space of our own. For me and my soul, it was the best and right thing to do.
How do you judge the success of Gyrls In The H.O.O.D Foundation, and what are your hopes for its future?
The success of our girls is the success of our organization. We want our girls fully educated about their bodies and able to advocate for themselves within the health care system. We want our girls able to complete high school and pursue higher learning opportunities. We want our girls to experience reproductive justice. We want our girls to recognize their worth and make decisions from that place. Right now, we are hoping for and planning for the expansion of our work here in Chicago and New York.
Learn more about Gyrls In The H.O.O.D here
