"I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels"

- Maya Angelou

What is Looks and Books?

Looks and Books is a program in Roanoke, VA helping shape the minds of at-risk girls between the ages of 5 and 11 through love, learning, leadership, and looking lovely.  

Looks and Books incorporates a dual component, gender-specific program for Roanoke City at-risk girls ages 5 to 11 that gives equal attention to fashion performances and academics. The "Looks" component provides personal development mentoring for girls through the process of creating a fashion performance and learning about proper nutrition. The "Books" component provides educational mentoring and support for girls through experiential programs.

Our three core programs include:

• Daily Study Lounge/Homework Hangout - This core program provides a space that allow participants to study in a friendly environment with adequate assistance in homework completion, complete project and build their competency levels in their academics skills. While becoming skilled learners and developing self-regulation.
• Nutrition program - In addition to the meal itself that we provide, we also teach participants what constitutes a balanced diet, while helping them to develop healthy eating habits and combat childhood food insecurity.
• STRIDE - This program provides a space where socially disadvantage girls can gain leadership skills, positive self-image & social skills, via discussion groups, lessons on inner beauty, nontraditional definitions of outer beauty, along with elements of simple fashion design.