Founder and CEO - Lori Thomasson is, a long-time resident of Prince George's County. Ms. Thomasson's passion and devotion to D.I.A.M.O.N.D.S. Girls Empowerment Program, Inc. comes from some of her own childhood experiences. She spent her elementary years in private school recalling a happy childhood, however, at age 10, things started to fall apart when she entered fourth grade. "I began to have questions as do most girls that age--questions about boys, friendships, female issues, etc. I didn't have anyone to confide in to help build my self-confidence and esteem and I went through life 'winging it'--not knowing who I was and afraid of expressing myself. I was unknowingly criticized or shut down by the people closest to me for displaying what I now understand as my strengths." Those issues led to poor grades, dropping out of school in her junior year of high school and other negative behavior.
Ms. Thomasson now uses those experiences as a catapult for living a fulfilling life. She has since completed high school and furthered her education. She has served as a drug counselor, assistant youth director, children's church teacher, choir member and also editor- in-chief for the publications department at her former church. In 2005, Ms. Thomasson self-published a poetry book titled, "Filling the Cracks in My Head", and has since produced a spoken word CD of the same title. Ms. Thomasson has written a children's book (awaiting publishing) and is currently working on her autobiography.
Ms. Thomasson performs the spoken word in cafes, colleges and churches in the Metropolitan area as well as traveling to Atlanta, GA. As an inspirational speaker, she conducts poetry/life workshops in local middle and high schools in Maryland and Washington, DC and serves as a mentor and community volunteer. "It took me a long time to find me and I love who I am and in the words of a famous song--ain't no stopping me now." Ms. Thomasson has three children attending PG County Schools and is a devoted member of Zion Church in Largo, Maryland.