A La Carte Options | Melanin & Muscles

Empower. Inspire. Transform.

Customize or Choose À La Carte

At Melanin & Muscles, we know that every school community is unique. That’s why we offer customizable programs and à la carte workshops to suit your specific needs. Whether you’re planning a single impactful session or a fully integrated series, we’re here to create a solution that works for you.

Confidence & Leadership

Empower students to lead with confidence and step boldly into their future.

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Wellness & Resilience

Practical strategies for self-care, stress management, and emotional well-being.

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Life Skills & Preparation

Prepare students for life transitions with essential skills
for success.

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Family & Community

Strengthen relationships and foster a supportive school community.

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Confidence & Leadership Workshops

Empower students to lead with confidence and step boldly into their future. These workshops foster self-esteem, goal-setting, and leadership skills that last a lifetime. Students in grades 4-12.

Shine Bright & Be Bold

Imagine a girl standing tall and proud, cheered on by her peers as she declares what makes her special. She leaves the workshop with a newfound belief in her potential.

Theme: Building confidence and self-expression.

Activities:

Crafts & activities leading up to our "Confidence Runway" where girls celebrate their uniqueness.
Dance and cheer session to build camaraderie and joy.

What's Your Superpower?

Picture the room filled with creativity as girls proudly design pieces that represent their inner powers. They leave owning their strengths & understanding the true heroes that they are.

Theme: Recognizing and celebrating inner strengths.

Activities:

Design superpower emblems or artwork using arts and crafts.
Group discussion on personal strengths like kindness, creativity, empathy, humor, or bravery.

Glow-Up Goals: Turning Dreams into Action

See a student light up as she pins her dreams on her vision board, realizing for the first time that her goals are within reach. She takes her first step toward a brighter future.

Theme: Vision setting and actionable goal planning.

Activities:

Vision board creation with inspiring materials.
Group brainstorming on achievable steps toward success.

Empowered to Lead:
Skills for Future Success

Visualize a shy student transforming into a confident speaker, standing in front of her peers with a smile, knowing she has the tools to succeed.

Theme: Leadership, public speaking, and career readiness.

Activities:

Resume building. Public speaking exercises in a fun, supportive environment.
Leadership quiz to identify strengths.

Wellness & Resilience Workshops

Give students, parents, and staff the tools they need to thrive in school and life. These workshops teach practical strategies for self-care, stress management, and emotional well-being.

My Body, My Power: Wellness & Self-Care Basics

Picture a student practicing breathing techniques to calm her nerves before a big game. She feels strong and capable, knowing she has tools to care for her mind and body.

Theme: Empowering students to prioritize wellness & self-care.

Activities:

Fitness routines & self-care activities.
Nutrition games/sessions to understand "power foods."
Techniques for stress management.

Building Resilience

Envision a student quietly smiling as she holds her “Stress Toolbox,” ready to use its strategies the next time she feels overwhelmed.

Theme: Managing stress and building emotional resilience.

Activities:

Create a “Stress Toolbox” with personalized strategies.
Mindfulness and relaxation exercises.
Affirmation sessions & journaling

Parent Power: Self-Care
for the Ones Who Care

Think about your busiest parent feeling refreshed & hopeful after discovering simple ways to care for themself without sacrificing time for the family.

Theme: Focusing on parental well-being.

Activities:

Guided relaxation techniques.
Practical tools for balancing parenting and self-care.
Affirmation sessions & journaling

Stress Less for Teachers: Building Resilience

Every principal & teachers dream...Picture a teacher walking into their classroom the next day, feeling rejuvenated and ready to inspire their students with calm and clarity.

Theme: Practical tools to handle stress.

Activities:

Brainstorm stress-relief strategies.
Mindfulness practices tailored for educators.
Reenactments with positive mindsets

Life Skills & Preparation Workshops

Prepare students for life’s transitions with workshops that teach essential life skills, from financial literacy to self-advocacy and time management.

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Money Moves: Financial Literacy for Teens

See a student confidently plan her first budget, realizing she has the power to take control of her financial future.

Theme: Managing money and setting financial goals.

Activities:

Budgeting challenge to plan fun outings with limited funds.
“Money Myths” game to dispel financial misconceptions.

Adulting 101: Life Skills for Real Life

Imagine a student smiling as she completes her first “to-do” list, feeling prepared to navigate the challenges of adulthood.

Theme: Building practical life skills for the future.

Activities:

Time-blocking exercises for balancing school and life.
Role-playing scenarios like scheduling or advocating for oneself

Family & Community Connections

Foster stronger relationships within families and the school community through workshops that build trust, communication, and collaboration.

Empowered Together:
A Journey in Resilience

Picture a parent and daughter sitting together later that evening, sharing their hopes and dreams with newfound openness and understanding.

Theme: Building a shared language of resilience between parents and daughters.

Activities:

Interactive Role Reversal: Parents and daughters switch roles to gain insight into each other’s perspectives.
Strengths Bracelet: Create bracelets with beads symbolizing resilience qualities like courage and empathy.

Finance Freedom: Transform Your Finances, Transform Your Life

Visualize a family working together to set a budget, excited about achieving a shared goal like a dream vacation or college fund.

Theme: Financial wellness for families.

Activities:

Budgeting exercises for family savings.
Interactive discussions on financial planning for long-term goals.

About Us

At Melanin & Muscles, we’re more than workshop facilitators—we’re passionate changemakers dedicated to empowering NYC school communities.

As co-founders and parents of eight children—seven of whom are girls—we bring both professional expertise (from our many years in Corporate) and personal insight to everything we do. We know what it takes to inspire confidence, foster resilience, and help students, parents, and educators thrive. With firsthand experience as educators and advocates for underprivileged youth in NYC, we bring a unique perspective, giving us an even deeper understanding of the challenges faced by students and the transformative power of support and opportunity.

With certifications in Life Coaching and Art Therapy Coaching, we lead every workshop with care, creativity, and a focus on real results. To ensure the highest quality experiences, we collaborate with a network of trusted professionals—psychologists, fitness trainers, nutritionists, and more—who bring their specialized knowledge to key aspects of our programs.

We design our workshops to go beyond education, creating experiences that leave a lasting impact. Whether it’s helping a student discover her strengths, a parent embrace self-care, or a teacher recharge and refocus, we’re here to make a meaningful difference.

“The workshop was amazing. Maria and Chantae work so well together. I cannot wait to have them back. They are well prepared and executed seamlessly. My audience looks forward to seeing them each time we partner up to deliver workshops. Thank you so much for your beautiful impact.”

Dailisha, R.