Femininity Brunch & Care | Jalicia Richard
A certified etiquette consultant and a BA holder in applied science and technology, Jalicia Richard started the Femininity Brunch and Care project to fulfill what she believes is her purpose on this planet. Jalicia hopes “to inspire women to overcome their struggles” by sharing her experience and creating a space for connection and community.
Growing up in Mississippi, Jalicia was teased and bullied by her peers because of her appearance. She struggled with low self-esteem, not having self-worth, and tried to seek validation externally. Having gone through this experience, Jalicia drew inspiration from it and her faith to create a safe space for women with similar experiences to connect, share their stories, and find encouragement to overcome their struggles.
Can you describe your project and what you hope to achieve from it?
“The Femininity Brunch and Care events are empowerment brunches to empower women to grow, to influence them in a positive way. The brunches typically consist of icebreaker activities, testimonials, and speakers who will speak about their experiences to encourage women and inspire them spiritually. Women receive tiaras and are treated like royalty so they can feel confident about themselves and feel royal and feel good about themselves. The purpose of the brunch is to create a safe space, help build confidence in the women attending, and remind them how Christ sees them and not how other people see them.”
Why is this important to you?
“My project is very important to me because I have a heart full of sincerity and a passion for seeing a positive change in the lives of women in my community and surrounding areas. I have a desire to help, reach, and positively impact them in so many areas that I lacked. Fifteen years ago, I lost my identity. I went through a hard time with my fellow peers. I was bullied, teased, and verbally abused due to my physical appearance, which caused me to lose my self-worth, self-esteem, and self-confidence. I struggled with seeking validation from others in order to make me feel better about myself. I felt like I was not good enough. I believe in order to help reduce low self-esteem, depression, and suicide rates among women and girls, hosting our Femininity Empowerment Brunch ceremonies are not only beneficial but positively influential as well. I am certain that women who struggle with mental health issues such as low self-esteem, self-worth, identity, depression, oppression, suicidal thoughts, unforgiveness, anger, etc., can lead them to torment within their own mind, which can also lead to a generational curse within their children.
I believe the Let’s Choose Love grant will assist me with continuing to be a positive advocate in hosting this event to help broken women mend their mindset and lives.”
What impact do you expect the project to have on the community?
“I believe this project will have a great deal of impact. It will benefit women because it will allow them to experience our luxurious Femininity Brunch and Care event, which will encourage and educate them on their true self-worth, increase their self-esteem, realize their true identity in Christ, and much more, in addition to experiencing luxury venue decor, scenery, and an atmosphere that would make them feel like royalty.”
What impact do you expect this project to have on yourself?
“I have already seen the change in myself thoroughly - when I initially started the brunches, I had a lot of fear and self-doubt - fear of rejection. But I had to push away the fears. Sometimes we secretly struggle, and we come around other people and smile, but deep down within, we are suffering - that is how I was. I believe this is my purpose on this earth, to empower other women to overcome their struggles, and overcome fear and rejection. “I believe that I am placed on this earth to inspire other women.” I believe that I am actually walking into my purpose, and people are joining me. By sharing my story, I am helping others.”
What are your plans for the project/your journey?
“I want to open up the doors for more women to attend and continue with the royalty theme to remind women of their power. I also want to travel outside of my community and region to the surrounding states and reach more women from different cities and from different demographics.”
Jalicia lives in Mississippi and loves attending church, learning more about the bible, spending quality time with her family, and loves to travel and shop. She is passionate about helping other people in finding their purpose.
