It is our goal to give girls a voice and provide the mentoring and resources needed for young girls to reach their true potential. Girl Talk educates, help builds self-esteem, and foster independence by having volunteer staff on hand that are experienced in life issues that young girls face. Our staffing model also includes advisors and facilitators that possess the expertise needed to mentor and guide our girls in the areas that impact them the most.
Girl Talk Incorporated is me. I remember being a young girl wishing for a wiser, older sister I could share my ideas and experiences with. Being the only girl out of six brothers, I found myself needing someone in my immediate community that could relate to what I was experiencing as a young woman.
While my mother is the sweetest, most loving woman I know—in my youth, she was working through her own issues and unconsciously didn’t have the capacity for mine. It was always, “don’t do this!” or” don’t do that!” and there was never a real or honest conversation about, “WHY NOT!?”
With my father being in and out of prison for much of my younger life, having an absent parent perpetuated my feelings of low self-image and worth. I began thinking I wasn’t pretty or loved because no one was telling or showing me otherwise.
Listen: all parents do the best they can with what they’ve been given—but I really needed those important conversations in my teen years. I often wonder if I could have avoided some of the challenges I went through if only I would have had someone to confide in.
After struggling with teen pregnancy, dropping out of high school, and poor decision-making in my 20s, I vowed to get myself together and do whatever I could to make sure young girls NEVER felt the way I was made to feel.
Years (and a lot of hard work) later, my dream came true! Girl Talk Incorporated was developed so girls can have a supportive environment to talk freely about the issues and challenges they face as they transition into their teen and adult years.
Our plan is to reach as many young women as possible and show them that they are not alone. With Girl Talk Inc., girls in the Indianapolis community will always have someone to help guide them in the direction of SUCCESS and SELF-LOVE.
It takes a village! Thanks so much for your continued support,
Sonya Cooke
Our Board of Directors
Sonya Cooke
President
Sonya Cooke is a wife and mother of two currently living a blessed life in Indianapolis, IN, but this was not always the case. Sonya has overcome many struggles in her life, beginning at a very early age.
Kelsey Taylor
Vice President
Rhuperdia Clay
Educational Director
Catt Miles
Board Member
Catt Miles is an award-winning Author, Speaker, Life and Relationship Coach who helps women and families obtain and maintain balance in work, life, and love to live an abundant life. Catt is a survivor of teen pregnancy, domestic violence, and toxic relationships.
Melba Salmon
Education and Program Consultant
One of Indiana’s premier educations thought leaders, Melba Salmon is revered for practical training, pioneering data architecture, and transformative coaching. Her immense talent for innovative curriculum development and instructional design and delivery is evident in her virtual school counselor training series: Wise Advising – Practical Tools for Transformative School Counseling.
Cirsten Secrest
Chairperson
Cirsten Secrest is an HR professional with an extensive background in employee relations and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). She is a member of both the national and Iocal chapters of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM).
Yolanda Smith
Strategic Advisor
Yolanda M. Smith is a highly driven woman who was born to break barriers, she proves that when powered by purpose, people are unstoppable. Yolanda is a speaker, author, and success coach with expertise in personal branding and professional development.
Join Our Board!
Girl Talk Incorporated is excited to open up its board invitation process. If you would like to join an organization that has a passion for making a difference and serving teen girls in the Indianapolis community, please consider joining our Board of Directors.
Interested?
Please fill out our Board of Directors’ questionnaire, or if you have any questions, contact us at 317-731-2820.
Want to be a part of our village?
If you have a passion for mentoring and connecting with young girls, assisting them in reaching their personal and professional goals; please consider volunteering with Girl Talk Inc.