The PM Podcast: "Don't Be Afraid to Change Your Mind" - A Conversation with Payton McGriff, a 2024 Top Five CNN Hero

Release Date: January 18, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The PM Podcast, host Jay Frost engages in an insightful conversation with Payton McGriff, the founder and CEO of Style Her Empowered (She). Recognized as one of CNN's Top Five Heroes of 2024, Payton shares her transformative journey in establishing a nonprofit dedicated to empowering girls and women in Togo through education, employment, and innovation. The discussion delves into the origins of She, the challenges faced, the impact achieved, and Payton's personal growth as a leader committed to social change.

Origin Story and Founding of She

Payton McGriff’s inspiration to start She originated during her college years, sparked by the impactful insights from the book Half the Sky. She recounts:

“It was really the really simple, you know, a high-level idea that inspired me to kind of explore further.” [05:11]

She began as a class project in 2017, aiming to address the significant barriers girls face in accessing education in Togo. What started as a modest initiative has grown into an international organization providing over 2,000 girls with free uniforms, school fees, and essential resources. Simultaneously, She employs 33 women across 21 rural communities, fostering economic empowerment alongside educational support.

Building Trust and Forming Partnerships

A critical aspect of She’s success, as highlighted by Payton, lies in building trust within the communities they serve and forming strategic partnerships:

“We think about partners not only as other NGOs in the area, but as every person that we work with is kind of our partner.” [05:42]

Payton emphasizes the importance of earning the trust of local communities, especially given the history of nonprofits failing to sustain their presence. The organization’s local team has been instrumental in establishing meaningful relationships with community leaders, ensuring that She’s initiatives are both relevant and sustainable.

Addressing Both Material and Psychological Barriers

While providing school uniforms addresses the material barrier to education, She also confronts deeper psychological barriers related to the value of women in society. Payton shares:

“We've had to be really selective in the language that we use because... we're trying to create independence of women that doesn't... create kind of that sense of abandonment.” [09:50]

Through strategic communication and sensitization efforts led by local authorities, She has successfully shifted community perceptions, highlighting the reciprocal benefits of investing in girls and women. This approach has not only alleviated financial burdens on men but also fostered a community-wide upliftment.

Expanding Impact Through Sustainable Models

She’s innovative model integrates both nonprofit and social enterprise elements to ensure sustainability. Payton explains how the organization generates revenue by manufacturing and selling products to businesses in the U.S., thereby funding their programs:

“We've been trying to build kind of this holistic model of girls education in women's employment.” [02:33]

Looking ahead, Payton envisions expanding their Education and Employment Center in Togo, which would scale their impact to support tens of thousands of girls and employ hundreds of women. This expansion is a cornerstone for replicating She’s model in other regions, emphasizing self-sustaining and community-driven development.

Personal Growth and Leadership

Payton’s journey with She has been as much about personal growth as it has been about organizational development. Reflecting on her leadership evolution, she notes:

“It's taken really an unlearning and relearning journey for me to kind of arrive at that understanding.” [13:13]

Initially unaware of her passion for social entrepreneurship, Payton turned down a traditional career path to pursue what she felt was her true calling. This decision led her to develop crucial leadership skills, such as humility, adaptability, and a commitment to collaborative problem-solving.

Navigating Cultural and Linguistic Challenges

Operating in a francophone country like Togo presented unique challenges, particularly in translating concepts like "empowerment." Payton shares the nuances of this linguistic barrier and how She adapted its communication strategies:

“We've switched from using some of the previous words in French... to language like when women rise, we all rise.” [13:09]

This careful consideration ensures that the organization’s mission resonates culturally and avoids misinterpretations that could hinder community acceptance.

Innovative Approaches to Textile Recycling

In addition to educational and employment initiatives, She delves into textile recycling, addressing global environmental concerns while supporting their mission. Payton discusses partnerships with ethical factories and the exploration of sustainable financial mechanisms to scale these efforts:

“We've recycled over £15,000 of fabric from their factory into usable products.” [26:31]

This initiative not only reduces waste but also creates additional revenue streams, reinforcing She’s commitment to sustainability.

Impact of CNN Hero Recognition

Being named a CNN Hero significantly amplified She’s visibility and fundraising capabilities. Payton reflects on this pivotal moment:

“Our donor base grew by over 10 times.” [28:42]

The recognition led to increased partnerships, in-kind donations, and a broader donor base, transforming She from a localized organization to one with a national and global presence. This surge in support has enabled She to recalibrate its communication strategies to engage effectively with new donors.

Future Vision and Expansion Plans

Looking forward, Payton outlines She’s strategic vision:

“She is building this self-sustaining model that we can replicate or share in other geographies around the world.” [30:57]

Immediate priorities include establishing the Education and Employment Center in Togo and developing additional earned revenue pathways. Payton is also focused on empowering the local team to lead projects, ensuring the organization’s growth is community-driven and scalable.

Advice for Aspiring Social Entrepreneurs

In response to a question about guiding college students contemplating their career paths, Payton offers profound advice grounded in her own experiences:

“Don't be afraid to change your mind. The first decision you make doesn't have to be the last one.” [33:51]

She emphasizes the importance of curiosity, mentorship, and the willingness to adapt, encouraging others to follow their evolving passions without fear of changing direction.

Conclusion

Payton McGriff’s journey with Style Her Empowered exemplifies the profound impact of balanced leadership, community trust, and innovative sustainability models in the nonprofit sector. Her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring social entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of adaptability, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to empowering marginalized communities. Through her work, Payton not only transforms lives in Togo but also sets a replicable model for social change worldwide.

Notable Quotes

• Payton McGriff [00:00]: “The strength of my character is not directly related to the strength of my conviction. It's in how loosely I'm willing to hold my beliefs.”

• Payton McGriff [05:11]: “We've been trying to build kind of this holistic model of girls education in women's employment.”

• Payton McGriff [09:50]: “The word empowerment does not have a very good translation in French... we’ve switched to language like when women rise, we all rise.”

• Payton McGriff [13:13]: “It’s taken really an unlearning and relearning journey for me to kind of arrive at that understanding.”

• Payton McGriff [28:42]: “Our donor base grew by over 10 times.”

About Style Her Empowered

Style Her Empowered (She) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2017 by Payton McGriff, dedicated to empowering girls and women in Togo through comprehensive educational and employment initiatives. By providing necessary resources and fostering economic opportunities, She aims to create sustainable community development and inspire similar models globally.

Learn More

To learn more about Style Her Empowered and their impactful work, visit styleherempowered.org.