About Us

• Be Present Empowerment Model (BPEM)
• Support Groups for Change
• Developer’s Meetings
• Regional Core Groups
• National Board of Directors

Be Present Empowerment Model (BPEM)
Be Present uses a model of transformation, the Be Present Empowerment Model (BPEM), which was created by Lillie P. Allen to provide individual empowerment and collective leadership skills first, to African-American women, and now to women from all walks of life, as well as men and boys.

The BPEM recognizes that social change is the active building of community one person at a time. The model begins on the individual level, exploring the impact of diversity and oppression on women and girls. It is built on the understanding that in order for change to be sustainable, women and girls must understand and appreciate who they are and find and value their true voices. As women and girls are able to feel their own power, they begin to comprehend their connections with others, and to move their focus from personal empowerment to community action and grassroots social change.

Be Present offers women and girls an opportunity to learn how to expand the dialogues and analyses on race, class, gender, age, and power, and to encompass what until now has been polarized between intellectual and emotional discussions, and then apply theoretical understandings in practical ways.

The BPEM is a guide through three distinct stages of development:
1. Know yourself beyond the barriers of the “isms.”
2. Listen to others in a conscious and present state.
3. Create new relationships and build alliances that celebrate differences as well as similarities.

Support Groups for Change
The most basic unit of Be Present is the peer-led support group. The support group is made up of three or more individuals who meet at least once a month to build a system of support with one another. The group can be all teens, all Black women, a mixed group, cross race and class, etc. Group members are supported in creating a new, stronger sense of themselves. The group provides an affirming environment, space, and encouragement to reflect on and speak honestly about life experiences, to increase their knowledge and make the critical connections between personal struggles and the oppression of women in the larger society.

In many cases, women and girls who enter a Be Present peer-led support group have not had positive experiences working with other women, may have limited awareness of the political context in which their lives are lived, and don’t feel they have the tools necessary to effect change. The support group creates a “home” for participants to affirm their thinking, validate their voices, unearth their organizing and leadership skills, and demonstrate their ability to make incremental and successful change.

Be Present support groups meet in communities in several states. Attend free monthly developer’s meetings in regional core areas.

Developer’s Meetings
Free monthly developers meetings are hosted by regional core groups to provide support for women and girls who are interested in forming or joining a peer-led support group. The developers meeting provides a safe, supportive environment that allows women and girls who are new to peer-led groups to learn about group process and how to respond to group dynamics, while supporting current members in maintaining their group and enhancing their facilitation skills.

Participating as a group or individual member helps to deepen and strengthen relationships between members and improve their interpersonal skills. For information about developers meetings, contact a regional core group in your area.

Regional Core Groups
Women and girls in support groups, who want to make a commitment to organize on the regional level, are invited to join the core group. The process used in peer-led support groups is also used at the core group level to ensure the active participation of each member. The core group strengthens organizing and leadership skills, builds relationships, and supports network development. Core groups organize monthly developers meetings, retreats and workshops, coordinate outreach and publicity, fundraise, build alliances with other social change organizations, and participate in training and national events. Regional core groups are located in California, New York, Atlanta and are developing in other areas of the country. Contact us for regional core group information.

National Board of Directors
Be Present’s unique structure requires that board members participate in a support group as well as a regional core group. This ensures that all members are committed to working on themselves in a consistent manner. Board meetings are open, and there are opportunities for input at the regional core group and support group level. The board and staff are composed of a racially, ethnically and economically diverse group of women and girls from across the country.

The board is responsible for direction and policy making, manages fundraising and development activities, and organizes network events, trainings and workshops. Several committees, composed from the network, work in partnership with the board. Several standing committees: fundraising, communications, and evaluation, are chaired by board members. At the committee level, members receive training and orientation to the board and work collectively on specific tasks and activities. For a complete list of our staff and board contact us.