Inspirational Woman Spotlight Series: Nia Berkeley
The first woman in the Inspirational Woman Spotlight is journalist & founder, Nia Berkeley.
Meet NIa
The beautiful Nia Berkeley is a 20-year-old journalist and founder of Inclusively Inclusive Organization from Richmond, Virginia. As she watched Met Gala coverage a few years ago, Nia was captivated by the way a red carpet host interviewed attendees about their outfits. The depth of those conversations sparked her initial interest in journalism and she grew determined to pave her own way into the field.
Since then, her words have been published in Preme Magazine, ProjectWriteNow, MediaGirlsNetwork Magazine, and TheTeenMagazine. Nia was a member of Femme It Foward’s Next Gem Femme 2023 mentee program and is now apart of Gyrl Wonder’s 2024 Leadership Academy cohort! She is currently pursuing an online journalism certificate at NYU, and has plans of attending Spelman College for undergrad.
“ In a world where conformity often reigns, I believe in championing the idea that it's not only okay but amazing to embrace our differences and that true acceptance is a form of love.”
~ Nia Berkeley
Amidst all of her successes, Nia desired additional support beyond her immediate circle. She realized that these feelings of loneliness were highly prevalent amongst Black women who struggle to fit in with their peers. Instead of sitting in a pile of lemons, Nia made lemonade in July 2023 and shared Inclusively Inclusive Org with the world!
What is Inclusively Inclusive?
Inclusively Inclusive is a non-profit organization for the ‘not so average Black girl!’ At the core, its mission is to provide substantial support and empowerment for women of color. Their goal is to foster a sense of unity while also embracing everyone’s individuality.
These efforts will continue to strengthen the community it serves and provide young women (ages 17-23) with opportunities for growth and success. The organization offers mentorship & leadership opportunities, workshops, seminars, and events to create safe spaces that amplify the voices of its members.
When asked what inclusivity truly means to her, Nia eloquently responded, “ In a world where conformity often reigns, I believe in championing the idea that it's not only okay but amazing to embrace our differences, and that true acceptance is a form of love. Inclusivity holds great significance as it offers us the opportunity to genuinely connect with fellow members of our community.”
Inclusively Inclusive Events
Inclusively Inclusive has already hosted a series of events, including: a luncheon, a guided yoga & meditation class, an intention-setting workshop, a toy drive, and her favorite; a self love webinar with her inspiration, Liyah Li. Nia says the way YouTuber Aaliyah Henderson embraced her vulnerability during the webinar was an unforgettable moment.
Future Plans
Inclusively Inclusive is excited to announce their upcoming event: 'Glamify Your Resume' workshop. This event will be a treasure trove of resources, including complimentary professional headshots, personalized resume assistance, and a session on mastering the dos and don'ts of business casual attire.
Additionally, the organization is planning a content creator class, a fun paint-and-sip event, and nature hikes for the community. Follow their Instagram page for more exciting details!
Lately, Nia has found difficulty in securing grants and funds for the organization. She has been personally funding everything thus far, and while she does not mind doing so, extra help is necessary as the organization grows.
Fortunately, her faith in God and trust in divine timing is keeping her optimistic during this time.
Nia told ASW Inspires that “there are numerous fantastic grants available, and I am committed to applying for as many as possible in pursuit of my goals.”
Q: Nia, how do you persevere in spite of the obstacles you face?
A:“I draw strength from the idea of making my younger self happy, and this inner motivation gives me the perseverance to keep pushing forward, no matter the challenges that come my way.”
