Miko Branch, Co-Founder Miss Jessie’s

PHOTO COURTESY OF MOMS ‘N CHARGE

Staff Report

MIAMI – For years before it became a popular slogan, Miami-based non-profit Girl Power has been committed to developing and celebrating Black (and Brown) Girl Magic.

Serving girls in underserved communities, the organization has been a safe haven for at-risk girls between the ages of 11 to 17 in the Miami-Dade community, with a focus on the Liberty City, Overtown, Little Haiti, Brownsville, Allapatah, and nearby neighborhoods since 2000.

The non-profit’s empowerment services include an after school program, summer camp focusing on S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), the Girls’ Choir of Miami, the Girls’ Intervention Program and more.

On Sunday, Dec. 3, Girl Power will host its 5th Annual Gospel Brunch Explosion featuring the Girls’ Choir of Miami, South Florida’s premier vocalists Maryel Epps and Leesa Richards and a delicious brunch prepared by Chef Irie Spice.

Miko Branch, co-founder and CEO of Ms. Jessie’s Haircare Products will be honored for revolutionizing the hair care market with her late sister Titi Branch.

The Branch sisters’ love of beauty and their entrepreneurial spirits inspired them to open the now famous Miss Jessie’s hair salon. Eventually, the sisters become one of the first businesses to successfully launch groundbreaking products designed to enhance and enrich every type of textured curly hair.

They named the product line after their “Do-It-Yourself” and fiercely independent paternal grandmother – Miss Jessie Mae Branch.

Now Miss Jessie’s is one of the most beloved beauty brands for women with curls and Miko’s fingerprint is evident in every aspect.

She recently relocated Miss Jessie’s corporate headquarters from New York to Miami and continues to develop innovative, original and effective solutions for curly hair needs.

Branch has received numerous accolades as a result of her remarkable tenacity. She is the author of “Miss Jessie’s: Creating a Successful Business from Scratch – Naturally” in which she addresses various issues such as lessons in business, sisterhood, motherhood, family, self-care and dealing with setbacks and tragedies.

She said she is thankful to be recognized by Girl Power.

“Girl Power is such an inspiring and important organization in this community. I am so grateful to be an honoree for this year’s Girl Power Gospel Brunch,” Branch said.

The brunch will be hosted by Beth David Congregation, 2625 SW 3 Avenue in Miami, with all proceeds going towards funding Girl Power’s intervention and prevention programs and services.

To learn more visit www.girlpowerrocks.org. To purchase tickets visit Eventbrite at bit.ly/gpbrunch17.