Meet Cassandre Davis, Ed. D, | Parenting Coach & Girl Supporter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cassandre Davis, Ed. D, and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cassandre, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
My 12-year-old female student: I wish I had a bigger butt. Me: Why?
My 12-year-old female student: Because then I’ll have a boyfriend.
Me: Why do you want a boyfriend?
My 12-year-old female student: My mom told me I need to get a boyfriend so I can have money.
Me: I see. Let’s talk more about that.
After the conversation ended an hour later, I think to myself: How am I going to help this little girl and her mother?
Due to this moment and several other instances, I created my business, A Light for Girls, LLC. I felt the need to support the young ladies in my classroom through the support of their parents. I have seen first-hand, well-intentioned, misguided information lead to hurt, trauma, and confusion for young girls. As a result, I offer informative seminars on healthy ways parents and other caretakers can help girls navigate life’s challenges with compassion and love. In connection with seminars, I have also authored the text “Girls Talk, But Can She Talk to You? How to Effectively Communicate with Our Girls.” Presented in a conversational tone, the book provides different ways to communicate with girls through real-life examples and everyday occurrences. The book gives context to what young girls are facing as they mature, like confusion around identity and cultural norms.

The work of A light for Girls is to help educate parents on ways to continue to support their daughters. All parents have their own histories that shape their approach to life. However, without information on how the outside world is shaping their daughters’ lives, parents are not fully equipped to help their daughters navigate present-day circumstances. As a parent myself, I know how difficult the role of parenting is. I also know the lasting effects my words and actions can have on my child. A Light for Girls, LLC strives to provide new ideas and perspectives to parents today to help affect change within the upcoming generations of girls; who will also have the honor and responsibility of shaping the lives of their daughters. I do daily work for generational impact for not only my daughter, but for all girls.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What I want to the world to know:

The past and current state of the way girls and women are treated plays a large role in what I do and why I do it. I believe parents of daughters should be aware of the unique challenges of raising girls in modern-day American society. While America has celebrated its 244th year of freedom, many of the antiquated, oppressive, single-minded perceptions of yesteryear are very much in full effect in present day. So much so that people, (women included) being socialized in this world, have unknowingly adopted some of the same mentalities and practices that may lead to strains and trauma for our daughters. These strains and ill perceptions may cause our daughters to eventually respond in outwardly negative ways like juvenile delinquency, drug use, misuse of their bodies or unseen negative ways like unhealthy connections, negative self-talk, and even, more severely, depression and suicidal ideation (Hives Gunn, 2017; Weed & Harjes, 2013). While we cannot undo the archaic mindsets of our collective society, we can slowly build new ideas and perspectives to share with upcoming generations of girls. We, as parents, can facilitate new perceptions and internal dialogues based on our external communication and healthy relationships with our daughters. The world should know there are people , like myself, who are willing to fight for the love and protection of girls, even when the odds, laws, messaging, and others are against them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Red Rooster in Overtown, FL for dinner Lyric Lounge in Overtown, FL for comedy show
Etaru restaurant in Hallandale, FL for food
Root and Bone in South Miami, FL for lunch
Thai and Sushi in Miramar, FL

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Myron Davis, Ph.D.- My husband, my supporter, my co-builder in all things better. My husband has been an amazing and supportive partner for all my work. He completely gives me the space, time, and love needed to push forward and help others. I sometimes face roadblocks – -especially from those who need the information the most. Dr. Myron Davis is always there to remind of three important principles: 1. Don’t worry about the “no’s” – just wait for the yes
2. Keep being yourself. You will find your tribe.
3. When you are doing what is right for people, you can’t help but succeed.
I am grateful for his wisdom, compassion, support, love, and patience.

Website: alightforgirls.com

Instagram: alightforgirls

Linkedin: A Light for Girls

Facebook: A Light for Girls

Youtube: alightforgirls

Image Credits
Marcellus Davis