Brains, Beauty, and Benevolence was established by two freshmen students at the University of Michigan, Eljonna Williams and Teanna “Ruby” Sims. Throughout their first year of college they struggled to overcome many of the challenges that accompany being a first generation college student coming from an underrepresented community. Fortunately, they were able to succeed, but the challenges they faced caused the two young women to reflect on the many barriers that kept the youth in their own communities from achieving academically. Determined to be the help they never had they created Brains, Beauty, and Benevolence (B3).
By the first semester of their sophomore year they had elected B3’s first executive board cohort: Nyeri Adolphus, Taiye Adolphus, Dania Harris, Selena Melendez, Daijha Morrow, Jasmine Smith, Hannah Whiteye, and Kristal Wilson. Together they put on a Detroit Public School fundraiser event Humble Beginnings, participated in group community service, and organized professional workshops for local high school students.