More than 100 girls gathered at Ridge Road Middle to welcome in a new school year and learn how to be empowered for leadership and success.

Ridge Road officials collaborated with the Charlotte-based company Taking Initiative Moving Efficiently (T.I.M.E.) and more than 50 professional women to hold the second annual Back to School YOUth EmpowHERment Summit July 28.

Click here to watch a video about the event.

The summit enriched the lives of girls in grades 7-12 by focusing on personal strength building, confidence and sisterhood through activities that promote the I.C.A.R.E (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Responsibility and Empowerment) principles.

“The pressures that young girls face today can be overwhelming,” said Ridge Road Principal Jametta Martin-Tanner. “When we gather young ladies at events like this and help them understand that they are strong, smart and capable of changing the world, we are not only helping our students but our entire community.”

With an increase in negative women’s imagery and self-esteem issues, girls often lack direction and guidance from positive role models, said Carrie Cook with T.I.M.E.

“It is imperative for our community to grow young ladies into our nation’s future leaders - who understand the value of consistently making healthy, informed choices from exposure to positive people, places and resources,” Cook added.

The youth participated in panel discussions, developed actionable solutions to millennial issues, wrote personal vision statements, got moving with fitness instruction and learned about financial empowerment.

Launched in 2007, T.I.M.E. has created initiatives to unify and empower communities, businesses and individuals.