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GPU COMMUNITY

OUR STORIES
TELL US YOUR STORY:
I consider myself a Girlz Powered Up because no matter the adversities I may come across in life I come out of it stronger and more confidence with positivity of the mind. I still manage to be kind to my fellow human being, see the beauty in this world and spread this word of kindness so that others may do the same. I inspire to live an inspired life.
OR WRITE TO US:

girlzpoweredup@gmail.com

Lilly Cruz

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Lilly Cruz became an active advocate for Fibromyalgia patients since being diagnosed in 2012. She has been an ardent supporter of the FCSA through various fundraising and advocacy efforts, including the NYC/NJ Caterpillar Walk committee, where she has been vital in the success of the annual event.  Lilly is currently the administrator of FCSA Facebook page, sharing facts regarding fibromyalgia and positivity to those who are in need of it

 

A native New Yorker is a Licensed Registered Nurse who has worked for the Health & Hospitals Corporation for 13 years. Lilly specializes in geriatric and cardiac telemetry. Through her profession, Lilly has a special approach to caring for others, especially those experiencing chronic pain. Lilly’s career also offers her a unique and comprehensive understanding of the medical field and how those living with chronic pain are treated.

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Lilly defines herself as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunty, lover of life and chronic pain advocate. For more information on Fribromyalgia, visit http://fibro.org/

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Jazzy
Jasmine Jones

Growing up shy, Jasmine Jones knows firsthand how dance has helped her and witnessed how it has helped others ranging from very young ages to late teens. Over the years, she has learned that dance builds confidence and compassion for people. It forms tight social units and beautiful relationships with others. It is therapy for the soul and an escape when needed. Her passion and love for this craft lead her to open her own studio bringing dance to the youth of Brooklyn. She hopes to change the lives of young people and help to show individuals that as long as you stay committed and determined anything is possible.
 

After dancing for twenty years and working as a teacher and choreographer, the next step was for her to find a home of her own for children with a passion to dance. She has choreographed national award winning competition pieces, received best choreography awards, entertainment awards, national invitations, and special judges' recognition awards. Also, she has danced with professional choreographers that has allowed her to build on her craft.

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Jazz It Up Studio Of Dance is a home for dancers, a full dance studio where many can develop skills, confidence, and create an outlet of expression in a safe and trusting environment.

 

Jasmine's experience is outstanding and with overwhelming support she has come a long way making her dreams come true! Her dream of building and empowering others through creative movement!

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For more information on Jazz It Up! Studio of Dance , visit http://www.jazzitupbklyn.com

Nikol Peterman
I am a “Girlz Powered Up” because I believe deeply in the next generation.  I believe in the power of children, and the glorious energy they possess.  As women, we bring compassion, empathy, and a model of problem solving that holds the whole picture.  We can foster our future by empowering our young girls and women.

Nikol Peterman is a Certified Empowerment coach for leading creatives who struggle to attract their ideal audience, fill their performances and see themselves as valuable.  She empower artists to be free and prosperous through community efforts, strategic action plans, meditation, yoga, visualization, writing, and other body-mind modalities.  She coaches them to create free of stress in their projects, and feel confident and secure in their creative expression, specializing in skills for overcoming fear and the constant roller coaster of rejection and short-lived elation. Nikol views the client as a whole person, taking all aspects into account, and ultimately empowering the client to create from a place of authenticity and joy, instilling a wealthy mindset and ability to take inspired action. The creative becomes seen and celebrated!

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Nikol had a 20 year career as a professional musical theatre performer and choreographer, spanning from National Tours to being a NYC Rockette.  Her career spanned across commercials, stage, short film, and print modeling.

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Her passion lies around the relationship between the Creative and their Audience.  Her passion lies in empowering as many Artists and Creatives as she can to step into their full expression and truly put their work out to the world.  The Arts turn things around, and she believes create hope in ways nothing else does.  Whether it’s a play, or a piece of music, or a painting, there is a transformation that occurs in the audience member.  They experience something new, they feel something come alive, maybe something that has been dormant or scared to emerge.  Art goes beyond words to give us courage and connect us.  And so many creatives don’t value this transformation……so they have amazing ideas, with no follow through no sustainable income, and a belief that they have to suffer to succeed.  It’s an old model, and one that no longer serves us on a whole.  In truth, your audience wants what you have.  And when the loop of great art meets the hungry audience, anything is possible.  In a time when it’s so easy to isolate in our pain, my passion is around creatives rising with work that brings us closer together and actually affects lasting change.

I am a Girlz Powered Up because God didn’t place me here to live a basic life. He put me here to touch, move and inspire young women to follow their dreams and fight for what they believe in, even when others don’t!
Chanel Auguste

Chanel Auguste’s mission is to transform the conversation about Hip Hop and mobilize young people to explore the world outside their communities. Hip Hop culture was born out of inner-city poverty and the struggles of African Americans and Hispanic Americans.  She intends to highlight the depth of its reach and display how Hip Hop can be a bridge to the rest of the world.

 

Across Roads documents Chanel Auguste’s journey through Japan, Cuba and Zimbabwe as she taps into other cultures’ connection to Hip Hop.  Chanel’s love affair with Hip Hop began in 1993, after her late father, Alex Auguste, introduced her to Wu-Tan Clan’s “36 Chambers” at the tender age of seven; it was through music and art that Chanel shared some of her greatest moments with Alex.  At no other time did Chanel feel the closeness to her dad that she felt when they discussed Hip Hop and how different cultural influences affect the art.

 

When Alex Auguste passed in February 2015 so came Across Roads, a testimony of love, loss, music and travel and how they are all interconnected.  Chanel’s affinity for Hip Hop and travel motivated her desire to highlight how Hip Hop drives and inspires other societies outside of the United States.

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For more information on Across Roads, visit http://www.acrossroadsfilm.com/

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