Janelle Douglas is the Founder and CEO of eMpowerment Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities and removing barriers so girls can dream boldly and build the futures they deserve.

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Growing up in Memphis, Janelle often felt that she was taught to dream within a bubble—to limit her vision to what felt attainable rather than what was possible. That mindset followed her even when she was awarded the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship. At the time, she did not fully grasp the magnitude of the opportunity or the doors it could open. The opportunity exceeded her dream, and as a result, she didn’t take full advantage of what was placed before her. That realization became a turning point.

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Janelle made a personal commitment that no student—especially girls who look like her—would ever miss an opportunity simply because they didn’t know how big they were allowed to dream. She began encouraging students in Memphis with a simple but powerful message: If you can dream it, you can create it. From that belief, “Dream Big and Go Get It” was born.

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As Janelle transitioned through different seasons of life, so did the vision for eMpowerment Inc. While the organization has always focused on confidence building, college preparation, and career readiness, she recognized that financial barriers often prevent students from dreaming at all—let alone turning those dreams into reality. Having access without resources is not enough.

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Today, eMpowerment Inc. goes beyond education and exposure by also supporting students with personal and financial resources through school partnerships, scholarships, and awards—ensuring that opportunity is matched with access.

At her core, Janelle is a proud “girls’ girl.” Growing up with two brothers, she longed for sisterhood and found it through close relationships with cousins and friends. That love for community has shaped her belief that there is something deeply powerful and beautiful about women supporting women—and intentionally lifting the next generation of girls as they rise.