PHOTO COURTESY OF BLACKFILM.COM

AVENTURA, Fla. – Macy’s Aventura is hosting 21 members of the Youth of Valor Empowerment program in an exclusive back-to-school event Sunday, Aug. 12, that includes an exciting back-stage meeting with actress and singer Serayah McNeill — best known for her role as Tiana Brown on the hit TV show, “Empire.”

Y.O.V.E. is part of a unique communitybased movement focused on assisting underprivileged teenage girls in the City of North Miami.

By partnering with the Y.O.V.E., Macy’s is also treating the group of girls, which includes 15 program graduates, to a private in-store shopping experience with Macy’s My Stylists personal shoppers to select their new post-grad attire, courtesy of Macy’s.

“This is truly a success story for our youth program,” says Lady Alourdes Pierre, CEO and Founder of Ladies of Valor Empowerment, of which Y.O.V.E. is a sister program.

“We are so delighted to welcome Macy’s to our ‘Empowerment Movement,’ where we are literally transforming lives — one woman and one teenage girl at a time,” she said.

Following the invitation-only shopping experience for the Y.O.V.E. teens, Serayah will perform for the general public between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

As the face of Material Girl, the fierce and fashionable junior’s clothing brand, Serayah will then be available for a meetand-greet and photos with the first 250 guests to make a Material Girl purchase at the Aventura store. With the exception the private event, the event is open to the public — and free.

“It is so exciting to be partnering with Macy’s in this back-to-school program because it will literally equip the Y.O.V.E.

girls with greater confidence whereby they may achieve self-sufficiency through employment, continuing education, and leadership in our community,” said Pierre.

This year alone, 15 young women graduated from the two-year program, several of whom are preparing to either head off to college, enlist with the military, and/or enter training as first responders.

“As a Miami-Dade College (alumnus), I am so proud that the majority of our 2018 Y.O.V.E. grads are now on their way to MDC this fall, after successfully attending our two-year leadership development program.

“This is what the Y.O.V.E. Program is all about — equipping, coaching, and developing the next generation of women leaders for tomorrow,” Pierre added.