BELA Charter High School

It’s Women’s HerStory month and we’re thrilled to be celebrating our 8th Annual Gayle Women’s Symposium.

The Gayle Women’s Symposium Committee is pleased to announce our 2026 theme is “We Belong!”. In a moment when so many messages in our national climate attempt to shrink opportunity, erase histories, and narrow who is seen as worthy, our young women need more voices, more examples, and more living proof that they belong - fully, unapologetically, and powerfully. This year’s symposium is a declaration. We belong in classrooms and boardrooms. We belong in labs, studios, courtrooms, and community spaces. We belong in positions of leadership, imagination, and influence. We belong in joy, in rest, in brilliance, and in possibility!

We want to shine a BELA Spotlight on our SGA Vice President, Camila, for completing her Senior speech today! It was inspiring to hear how much transferring to BELA her Junior Year, has impacted her journey! Serving others not just for community service hours, but to fulfill a desire of wanting to help those in need and obtaining a 4.26 GPA, Camila truly embodies our core values Service and Scholarship. 🩵

Congratulations on completing another milestone towards graduation! We can’t wait to see all that you accomplish. 🐝

Crowning a new legacy 👑✨

Congratulations to our 2026 Miss Black Excellence, Samayah Simon, and our incredible Runner-Up, Blair Harper! We are beyond proud of every contestant who graced the stage.

Shoutout to our 2026 Miss Congeniality, Madison, and to Nilah, Isabel, and Cha’nai — each of you represents grace, strength, intelligence, and true Black excellence.
These remarkable young women are the definition of sisterhood and empowerment. 💛

What better way to celebrate sisterhood, than to have two cousins share their Senior Speeches on the same day!

“I found confidence in my voice, and my growth potential. Showing me that succeed is not just about being perfect, it’s about discipline, receiving support and trusting yourself even it feels tough” - Ameerah Hutchinson, CO 2026

“Here sisterhood is more than names. It’s shared courage, shared refrain. It’s lifting one another higher, lighting the hope without the fire.” - Aleanna Smith, CO 2026

Congratulations to our BELA seniors, Ameerah and Aleanna, on completing another milestone towards graduation! 🐝🩵 We are looking forward to continuing Senior Speech season!

“Scholarship isn’t just about grades, it’s about growth, perseverance and hard work. The IB Program pushed me to my limit but I made it through. Through dedication, I earned a 4.0 GPA and I’m fortunate enough to have received $3 Million in scholarships.” - Jessica Brown, CO 2026

Congratulations to our Basketball Team Captain, Jessica Brown, on completing another milestone towards graduation! 🐝🩵

It’s Senior Speech Season, and our BELA Student Body President, Leilani, kicked it off! We are grateful for her bravery, and the gems that she shared with her BELA sisters this morning! From being unsure if the BELA community was right for her, to embodying all four of our Core Values— Sisterhood, Scholarship, Strength and Service. With a GPA of 3.65 and 11 College Acceptances (with more to come), we are so happy that you gave BELA a chance four years ago!

Congratulations on completing another milestone towards graduation Leilani! 🐝🩵

The BELA Elite Cheer Team is ready to see you tomorrow at the Alumni Homecoming Pep Rally! Get ready to pump it up! 🐝

🐝Join the Hive!
Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy (BELA) is seeking dynamic, mission-driven leaders to join our Board of Trustees.

As a Board member, you’ll champion our vision to empower young women of color to lead, innovate, and serve their communities with purpose and power. BELA trustees play a vital role in shaping strategy, expanding partnerships, and sustaining the programs that help our scholars thrive.

If you’re passionate about education equity, mentorship, and community impact — we’d love to hear from you!

💫 Learn more and apply at the link in our BIO.