(ThyBlackMan.com) A story of personal triumph and discover of Natalie McGriff.
When 7 year old Natalie and her mother Angie wrote the comic book
“The Adventures of Moxie Girl” they created a foundation for a
social movement that focuses on issues of personal challenge
and discovery.
The Crowd Funding venue One Spark was the setting for what would become a whirlwind of speaking, handshaking, elaborating on who and whom Moxie Girl is; photo-shoots, meeting a Jacksonville
Jaguar, meeting Mayor Alvin Brown, talking with supporters and
those in the news media. Her mission became a passion for
social justice and community activism, Natalie is an icon for local and
national change for Black girls and all girls. Exclaiming proudly that #BlackGirlsRock, #?MoxieGirl #?BlackGirlMagic
The One Spark event is just a stepping stone for the continued
adventures of not just “Moxie Girl” who has created a following
on Social Media that is growing digitally viral. Angie Nixon the mother of Natalie is already ingrained in the Jacksonville community by her passion for issues of social consciousness and community activism.
Raising her daughter Natalie to be a strong independent thinker,
self-conscious of her abilities and talents, understand the value of
education and proud of her own unique blessed gifts that will elevate
her no matter what she endeavors to do. These are the qualities that
Black mothers and other mothers of culture need to birth in their girls.
Angie is a blueprint for motherhood that tirelessly strives to build,
re-build, define and re-define the self-image in her daughter that defies the media execution of Black girls and girls of color. Black girls are intelligent, talented, gifted and possesses a natural self-awareness that is positive and healthy. This can be seen in Natalie who wears this as a badge of honor and encouragement for other girls.
Like scaling a mountain Angie and Natalie are taking one step
at a time with a few leaps and bounds to continue their journey
of self-awareness and self-discovery. “The Adventures of Moxie
Girl” a comic book based on a little Black girl that hated her kinky
hair and after using some magical shampoo, her Afro puffs become
her super powers used to save the Jacksonville Public Libraries from
being eaten by monsters. She turns her insecurities into super powers that fight evil.
Stated by Angie about the comic book; “I decided to help Natalie
write this book because she was having self-esteem issues regarding
her hair and she hated to read. She now realizes how powerful and
awesome her hair is (there are the occasional rough days) and that in order for her to write a cool book, she needs to read more books and learn different words.”
These are concrete examples that show parents the importance of
reading, writing, literacy and comprehension. The value of parental
guidance and support to create strong readers in their children.
The first teacher is the parent as shown by Angie from the interaction and continuous engagement in communication that brings exposure to life events, people, community awareness and the respect for education. Parents have the tools to motivate their children to be life-long learners they just have to be willing to implement those tools and stay actively involved. The defining relationship of Angie and Natalie is a praiseworthy collaboration of love, respect and cooperation between a parent and child.
One Spark is creating transformative opportunities for hundreds
that have dreams and ideas. This Crowd Funding opportunity
is not just for adults; children, teens, and young adults that have
a vision are able to participate.
Natalie’s Creator #21800, use of Social Media platforms and the
explosive personality that exudes confidence and a determination
to excel helped to lift Natalie to first place in the Education division
of One Spark.
“The Adventures of Moxie Girl” had the biggest increase in
percentage of votes in the education field for One Spark. It helped to have a network of diversity that not only were well-wishers, they voted and shared their excitement for and of Natalie online by voting and praying.
As the news spread and the creators were notified of their
positions the paradigm change resulted in Natalie and Angie winning.
Stating how she felt: “I am literally holding back tears because
I am so excited. There were so many times that my baby came
home or was watching TV and voiced her disdain about her
hair and how ugly she thought it was. The fact that we wrote a
book about a little black girl who uses her kinky hair to save the
public libraries and people of ALL different ethnic groups embraced it…
I have no words. Thank you Jacksonville. My city is indeed progressing and we are taking it to the next level!”
Congratulations to One Sparks newest and youngest winner and
Jacksonville’s Moxie Girl!!! Look out for her books and public
appearances.
More can be seen at “One Spark Winner Inspires Young Girls”
http://www.news4jax.com/news/one-spark-winner-inspires-young-girls/32337258
Blog on Moxie Girl:
https://myquesttoteach.wordpress.com/2015/04/21/the-adventures-of-moxie-girl/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/theadventuresofmoxiegirl
Instagram: http://Instagram.com/Adventuresofmoxiegirl
Email: adventuresofmoxiegirl@gmail.com
Phone: 904.610.7103
Staff Writer; William D. Jackson
Find out more about this talented writer over at; OCS For Education.
