New York, NY -- (SBWire) -- 03/08/2017 --Harlem Girls Cheer, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization that seeks to enhance the 360-degree development of minority girls and young women, ages 8-18, through cheerleading, celebrates its one-year anniversary today.

Six Harlem-based professionals first launched the organization last year on International Women's Day 2016. The idea behind establishing Harlem Girls Cheer (HGC) was to provide minority girls and young women with resources and opportunities that are often difficult to find, in order for them to grow and succeed as confident, well-rounded women. In the first year of the organization's history, the founders set an aggressive agenda to provide the participants and their families with a series of activities that provided empowerment, mentorship, leadership skills and strived to move closer to a long-term goal of gender parity. In honor of International Women's Day 2017 – HGC plans to #BeBoldForChange by participating in a day without women, wearing red in solidarity.

Radina Russell, Founder and Director commented, "Our first year has been extremely rewarding. We have been able to provide a number of unique opportunities to our participants and look forward to doing more within the Harlem community in year two."

In its inaugural year, Harlem Girls Cheer hosted educational activities such as an Independent and Charter School Education Fair, a College Prep Session that counseled the team's high school students, and a Personal Investing session for the team's elementary and middle school students in conjunction with BlackFem; Coordinated a leadership event, A Conversation About Diversifying Senior Roles in Corporate America, a fireside chat with an Executive Search Consultant for minority professional women aged 30-45; Hosted an outing to see Hidden Figures; Sponsored a trip to see the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions; and Developed a social media campaign for Black History Month that aimed to highlight black female athletes who broke barriers and dominated the sports industry in spite of adversity.

HGC also kick-started its first competitive cheer season with the Harlem Roar, the organization's official competition team. Since the launch, HGC has achieved numerous accomplishments both on and off the competition mat and within the Harlem Community.

The Division 8 cheer team placed third at the American Youth Cheer National Championship in Orlando, Florida and the Division 8 and Division 10 cheer teams placed first in the Empire State Youth Football and Cheer Competition. Harlem Roar is currently competing in post-regular season All-Star Competitions across New York and New Jersey.

This year the team will have its first ever graduating class. The team has three high school seniors who combined have been accepted into twelve institutions and plan to enroll in college this fall.

For more information on Harlem Girls Cheer please visit www.HarlemGirlsCheer.org.

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#IWD2017 #BeBoldForChange #HarlemGirlsCheer

About Harlem Girls Cheer
Harlem Girls Cheer, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization that holistically develops girls into accomplished, active, confident women through academic enrichment, competitive cheerleading and character building activities.