Girls Rock in The South

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — “She Rocks” chanted the crowd of over 100 young girls and women Saturday morning at Thailan Hall in Downtown Wilmington.

Female police officers, teachers, lawyers, military, radio personality and entrepreneurs were in attendance for this girl powered event.

The 2018 She Rocks Teen Empowerment & Business Expo hosted local community vendors and workshops to inspire young girls and help growing young girls from local counties including New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender County.

Organizer Suprena Hickman said she just wants to see more girls grow up to be amazing women.

One “teenpreneur” is well on her way to a successful career in baking. Samantha Johnson, who runs Samantha’s Colorful Cupcakes, is 12 years-old and has multiple certifications in creative baking. During the event, she sold her original vanilla and chocolate chip cupcakes.

Johnson says she bakes for birthdays and other events often but doesn’t get to actually see her customers enjoy them.

“Most of the time if I sell it they are taking it to another event so I actually don’t get to see their reactions so today is totally different,” said Samantha Johnson.

The keynote speaker, Dominique Berridge,SSG(P) had the crowd on the edge of their seats as she told her journey to womanhood. She is currently stationed in USAHC-VICENZA in Italy. Berridge returned home to speak to the girls.

The event concluded with a panel discussion with local leaders including: WWAY’s Monique Robinson; Dr.Felice Carlton, a family nurse practitioner; LeeAnne Quattrucci, Attorney at the Law Offices of LeeAnne Quattrucci, PA; Heather Sudbrock, Human Trafficking & Girl Lab Podcast; Acquinetta Beatty, Director of Coastal Women’s Ventures and Director of New Choices Program; Vanessa Gonzalez, Attorney at Vanessa Gonzalez Law Firm; Sulondia Hammond, Speaker, Playwright, Actress, Coach; Dominique Berridge,SSG(P) ;  Cardilia Barksdale- Wilmington Police Department- Women on Patrol; Erika Jones, Attorney at North Carolina State Assistant Attorney General; Sandra “Midday Miss” McClammy- Coast 97.3; Samantha Johnson, Teenpreneur- www.SamanthasColorfulCupcakes.com and Amari Poindexter was a Teen entrepreneur, independent  Paparazzi Jewelry consultant .