A Mission for Teen Self-Esteem

Ferebee is a kind of an entrepreneur-missionary crossed with a one-woman-band. She is using the Internet, church talks, word of mouth and other publicity (an item in Essence Magazine didn't hurt) to reach out to teens in Philadelphia. She gives motivational talks. She's got fliers, press packets, business cards and advertising specialties like water bottles emblazoned with "Got It Goin' On." And she's got bookmarks advertising her self-published book, also called "Got it Goin' On," an easy-to-read guide to self-worth aimed at teens.

Don't think because this book is self-published that it's a go-nowhere, vanity effort. It's in use in the Washington, D.C., public schools and in church rites-of-passage programs for girls, according to her Web page. She's also developing a facilitator's guide and video, along with a similar book for boys.

Ferebee's motivational talks have brought in volunteers to help with FFF. She's got Penn students who serve as mentors for the girls. She's gotten area businesses to donate: My Favorite Muffin donated snacks; The Body Shop and Themes & Books each donated $25 gift certificates. She's got speakers to talk to the girls about fashion and health. She's even got trainers to lead exercises - grad student Nisha Hitchman led the girls in the workout Nov. 1, for example.

Ferebee, who was the first African-American to serve as models editor for Seventeen Magazine, uses physical fitness through dance to "create an environment where the girls feel safe. There's a relationship between self-esteem and physical fitness for girls," she says.

Ferebee's mission is personal. "I'm sharing some of the mental, physical and spiritual tools that work in my life."

Her Web page is at http://members.tripod.com/~gotitgoinon .

--Libby Rosof