About Town: Calling All Tweens & Teens: No Boys Allowed Expo

While talking about the effects of social media and reality TV on teenage girls during a recent party in Fort Lee, a group of moms were sharing ideas on how to build confidence in their teenage daughters and lessen the negative influences that come at them from all angles. Too bad we didn’t know then about this Saturday’s “Glam Squad’s No Boys Allowed Teen and Tween Expo” happening at the Glenpointe Marriott Hotel in Teaneck.

We’ve all heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” but Rosalind Russell Lucien (founder of Glam Squad and Teaneck High School Alumni, Class of ’93) tells us, “Yes, a village will raise your child, but are you sure you know who you’ve let into your village?”

Lucien, who holds a degree in psychology, started to think about the strong cultural influences that reality TV was having upon young girls, particularly her own 9-, 10- and 12-year-olds. Solid family shows that she grew up with such as The Cosby Show in which values were emphasized have been replaced with reality shows, such as Jersey Shore, that gain their popularity by highlighting bad behavior, particularly that of girls. The strong message of reality TV is that a girl can achieve fame and recognition for making bad choices and exhibiting bad behavior—just look at what bad choices did for the careers of Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton.

Lucien thought, “This is not the positive message that will turn our girls into tomorrow’s leaders.”    

To counter this negative portrayal of girls, Lucien founded Glam Squad, a company whose mission statement is “Empowering all girls to be leaders and not followers. Building strong, secure, brave, independent thinkers. Preparing our girls to be fabulous inside and out! All with a touch of GLAM!”

The idea for Glam Squad was born when Lucien was hosting individual workshops for women in Lehigh Valley, Pa., where she now lives. Seeing firsthand the positive impact these programs were having on the self-esteem of adult women, she decided to create a day of workshops for girls and their mothers and call it “Glam Squad Expo: No Boys Allowed,” an expo for tweens, teens and moms.

For Lucien, it’s important for young girls to hear positive messages that raise their level of confidence and their self-esteem in an environment where they feel safe. The goal of the “No Boys Allowed” Expo is to bring together professional resources under one roof while adding a touch of “Glam” to attract the girls. After all, what girl doesn’t like a bit of glam? There will be makeup, swag bags and vendors selling products all girls love. That will be balanced with workshops led by industry professionals. These workshops include:

• Can You Hear Me Now? A Communication Workshop
• A Screening of the Short Film "A Period Piece"
• Style 101: Learn the Latest Fashion Tips and Trends with a NYC Stylist 
• How To Kick Drama To the Curb
• HELP! How Will We Afford College? 
• Beauty and Wellness Basics (Age appropriate makeup/skincare and beyond)
• Discovering and Deciding on Healthy Relationships 
• How To Talk to Your Teen/Tween About Sex 
• Social Media: What Parents and Kids Need to Know to Stay Safe 

Girls and their moms can choose to attend as many workshops as they’d like, but there’s no obligation. Lucien wants to create an environment in which girls can meet other girls and be given the opportunity to talk to professionals in an atmosphere that is both comfortable and safe. The goal is to get girls to focus on their self-awareness and self-esteem and get them to keep their focus firmly on their future as leaders. Lucien feels that it’s important for girls to be reinforced by hearing positive messages from people involved in their lives rather than be wholly influenced by media’s mixed messages. Lucien wants to give girls a forum to discuss what’s on their minds with professionals who can guide the conversation.

Lucien hosted her first “Glam Squad: No Boys Allowed Expo” in February in Lehigh Valley, Pa. It was so successful that she’s taking it on the road. There was never a question in her mind that she would bring it home to her native Bergen County. Hosting the Expo in Teaneck is her way of giving back to the community that she feels gave so much of itself to her. Additional Expos are also scheduled for Philadelphia, Baltimore, Alexandria and Memphis.

The Glam Squad: No Boys Allowed Expo is being held this Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Glenpointe Marriott Hotel in Teaneck. Tickets are $10 per person, $25 family of 3 or more in one household. You can register by clicking here.

In addition to the workshops there will be vendors offering products, gifts, giveaways, and each girl will receive a bag with over $30 worth of merchandise for girls.

If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor you can contact Rosalind Russell Lucien at info@projectglamsquad.com.