Our Founder
Joyce M. Averils, JD, the Executive Director/CEO of Changing the Buzz, Inc., says:

“As a judge for more than 14 years, I’ve seen a steady increase of African American women as victims and an alarmingly high number as perpetrators of crimes, as well. Too often these women have ended up in the system because of low self worth, uncaring environments and little to no support at home, just to name a few causes. By the time they enter my court room, too often their lives have been set and it’s very difficult to bring about positive change. Something needs to happen much earlier. Changing the Buzz, Inc. is my solution to help turn this thing around.”

Our Vision 

Our vision is to improve the quality of life for generations of African American girls and young women to come. 

Our Mission 

Our mission is to offer support, encouragement and guidance to African American girls and young women, ages 10 to 18, through various programs and outreach opportunities that focus on equipping them for personal, professional and entrepreneurial success. 

Our Objective 

Our objective is to expose 10,000 African American girls and young women to various personal, professional and entrepreneurial opportunities by 2013.  

Our Philosophy 

We believe that just like the bumble bee who is not supposed to fly, but does, so can African American girls and young women.

We believe that every African American girl is born with a purpose and that she can fulfill it with guidance, encouragement and the right tools.

We believe that all African American girls and young women possess talents, gifts and skills and they have a right to use them.

We believe that every African American girl and young woman can overcome low self worth, feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness by adhering to our 7 Pillars for Success – Education, Empower, Engage, Energize, Expose, Equip, Enjoy.

We believe that African American girls and young women should practice abstinence from pre-marital sex, illegal drugs and alcohol.