Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison James – Frison.
Hi Allison, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Allison James-Frison, and my journey started long before the titles.
I am a survivor. I am a social worker. I am a woman who made a decision to turn pain into purpose.
Growing up, I experienced wounds that weren’t always visible to the outside world. Like many young girls, I carried silent battles — but I refused to let those experiences define me. Instead, they shaped me. They pushed me into the work of healing, advocacy, and creating safe spaces for others.
That’s how Girls Live, Love, Laugh, Inc. was born. I founded the organization to empower young girls to find their voice, build confidence, and understand that their story matters — even the parts they’re afraid to say out loud.
My passion for equity and access to education led me to serve on the Newark Board of Education, where I now serve as Vice President. I believe education is one of the greatest tools for breaking cycles and building generational change.
Writing The Book of Allison: The Wounds You Don’t See was another step in my healing journey. I wrote it not just to tell my story, but to give others permission to face theirs. The wounds you don’t see are often the ones that shape us the most — but they don’t have to stop us.
Today, I stand as proof that your past does not disqualify you. It prepares you.
Everything I’ve built — from my nonprofit to public service to authorship — is rooted in one mission: turning trauma into transformation and helping others do the same.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Has it been a smooth road? Absolutely not.
My journey has been filled with obstacles — personal, professional, and emotional. I’ve had to overcome trauma, self-doubt, financial limitations, and spaces where I wasn’t always welcomed or fully understood.
There were moments when I questioned if I was enough. Moments when doors didn’t open. Moments when I had to build my own table instead of waiting for a seat.
Balancing leadership, advocacy, authorship, and personal healing hasn’t been easy. Serving in public roles — especially in education and politics — comes with scrutiny, criticism, and pressure. Not everyone will agree with your voice, and sometimes the loudest opposition comes when you’re pushing for real change.
Starting Girls Live, Love, Laugh, Inc. required faith. There were times I had more vision than resources. But I kept going because I knew the mission was bigger than me. There were times I was told no parent would trust me wiht their children becuase I did not have a degree; however, my lived experience proved them wrong. Girls Live, Love, Laugh Inc. celebrated sixteen years in 2025.
Writing The Wounds You Don’t See was also challenging. Telling the truth about your life means reopening spaces you’ve worked hard to heal. But I understood that transparency creates freedom — not just for me, but for others.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But every obstacle strengthened my resilience. Every struggle refined my purpose.
The road wasn’t easy — but it was necessary.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Girls Live, Love, Laugh, Inc. is more than an organization — it’s a movement centered on finding your voice , leadership, and empowerment for girls and young women.
We create safe spaces where girls are seen, heard, and valued. Our work focuses on social-emotional wellness, confidence building, literacy, mentorship, and leadership development. We specialize in working with girls who may be navigating low self-esteem, academic challenges, or simply trying to find their voice in a world that often silences them.
What sets us apart is that we don’t just “mentor” — we connect. Our programs are rooted in lived experience, professional social work practice, and authentic storytelling. We talk about the hard things. We address what being a black girl means. And we equip girls with tools — not just motivation — to build resilience and purpose.
We are known for
• Creating transformative workshops and brunch experiences that feel both safe and empowering
• Celebrating first-generation achievements and academic milestones
• Integrating literacy and storytelling as healing tools
• Providing mentorship that doesn’t end when the event is over
One of the things I am most proud of is seeing our mentees break generational barriers — making the Dean’s List, becoming first-generation graduates, finding their confidence, and stepping into leadership roles. Watching a young girl realize her potential is the greatest brand success we could ever have.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that Girls Live, Love, Laugh, Inc. represents authenticity. We are not performative. We are intentional. We meet girls where they are — and walk with them to where they are destined to be.
I want readers to know that our organization is built on heart, strategy, and impact. We offer mentorship programs, empowerment events, literacy-based initiatives, and partnerships with schools and community organizations. Our mission is simple but powerful: to help girls live boldly, love themselves fully, and laugh freely — even after life’s challenges.
Because empowered girls become powerful women.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Finding a mentor and building strong networks has been essential to my journey — and I’ll be honest, it doesn’t always happen the way people think it does.
First, I believe mentorship starts with alignment, not access. Don’t just look for someone with a title — look for someone whose values, integrity, and leadership style reflect who you aspire to become. The right mentor isn’t just successful; they’re willing to invest in you.
What has worked well for me is showing up consistently. I didn’t wait for invitations — I attended community events, education forums, leadership spaces, and I made myself visible. Networking isn’t about collecting business cards. It’s about building genuine relationships over time.
I’ve also learned to be clear about what I need. When you approach a potential mentor, be specific. Ask thoughtful questions. Show that you’ve done your homework. And most importantly, be coachable. Mentors pour into people who are willing to grow.
Another thing that’s been powerful for me is peer mentorship. Sometimes the people walking alongside you — in similar stages — become just as impactful as those ahead of you.
And I’ll say this: don’t be afraid to build your own table. If you don’t see the mentorship circle you need, create it. Start a small group. Invite others to grow with you. Leadership isn’t always about being invited — sometimes it’s about initiating.
Networking has worked best for me when it’s rooted in service. When people see your heart, your work ethic, and your consistency, relationships grow organically.
My advice? Be intentional. Be authentic. Be prepared. And understand that mentorship is a two-way investment — not just what you receive, but what you bring to the relationship.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://GirlsLivelovelaugh.org
- Instagram: GirlsLLL
- Facebook: Girls Live, Love, Laugh Inc.
