Meet the incredible team behind Perfectly Me — a group of passionate, dedicated superheroes working to empower kids to discover their unique strengths. Led by founder and CEO Raquel Whiting Gilmer, whose own journey inspired this mission, the team includes program developers, curriculum experts, and coordinators who bring kindness, resilience, and creativity to everything they do. From teaching self-love and perseverance to fostering empathy and leadership, they are here to help every child shine their brightest. Together, they make the world a better place — one superhero at a time!
Raquel Whiting Gilmer, Founder, CEO, Mom, Friend
What is your origin story? Every hero has one!
The story of Perfectly Me started with my own journey to find self-love and self-acceptance. As a young girl and teen, I struggled with my self-esteem. I was chubby and was regularly teased by other children and adults. I felt ashamed of my size, and of myself. The struggles with my weight and self-esteem lasted well into my adulthood but I did a lot of personal development work including lots of therapy and came to the understanding that no matter my size or my weight, I am perfectly me.
What are your superpowers?
My superpowers are perseverance and empathy.
Why did you start Perfectly Me?
Because of my own journey and struggles, I wanted to help other girls develop strong self-esteem so they would be best prepared for life’s challenges. I knew I couldn’t take away challenges such as peer pressure, bullies and most scary – the need to make tough personal choices, but I could give girls powerful tools they could use to help them overcome such challenges. In pursuit of my mission, in 2007 I developed the Perfectly Me Girls program, and delivered sessions in schools. I also started my own superhero universe in 2015 starting with the Awesome Perfectly Me Girls, superhero girls who fight the villains trying to squash girls’ self-esteem – anxiety, fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of not being liked, self-doubt, self-hate, and the dreaded naysayers.
Over the years, I also expanded my own view of our superheroes and realized that they had to fight more than self-esteem challenges - self-love was only the beginning. The Awesome Perfectly Me Girls had to fight for and promote the supervalues that make kids superheroes – honesty, courage, kindness, compassion, perseverance, resilience, intelligence and more. Specifically, I wanted our superheroes to be tools that parents could use to help their kids become superheroes and the best humans. I also expanded our universe to include amazing boys with the introduction of Captain Kid Kindness in 2019 based on my son, Mikey. CKK is a kindergartener who works with his kindness crew to encourage kindness, empathy, and inclusion. And this year, we added the Perfectly Me Squad, a diverse group of elementary school heroes who fight AdversiT through STEAM, mindfulness, perseverance, and leadership.
I am passionate about this work because I’m a mom and I want my son to be a superhero and great human. And I know this isn’t going to be easy but I feel more confident because I’ve got my Perfectly Me Team and my superhero crew fighting alongside me, the Perfectly Me SuperHeroes.
April Dodge,
Camp Program Developer
What is your origin story? Every hero has one!
I went to an all-girls school and from as long as I can remember, I was always the tallest girl in my class. I was the “biggest.” Always. Because I naturally stood out, I did everything in my power not to stand out. I slouched, I wore baggy clothes, I tried to shrink. Whenever I met anyone for the first time (grown-ups included), the very first comment after hello was, “you’re so tall!” That still happens today. As I transitioned from kid to teenager in middle school my extreme self-consciousness turned to self-sabotage and I started eating to feel better. Because I grew so early, so fast, my height slowed down in middle school, but my weight began to skyrocket. When I look back at photos around 6th and 7th grade, the adult me sees a beautiful girl of average weight. Not fat. Not big. Tall and pretty. But I certainly didn’t feel pretty. I only felt big. People told me I was pretty. I heard that all the time, but I never believed it. In 8th grade I started becoming more visibly heavy. Around this time, I had an appearance on my uncle’s local TV show. The make-up lady told my mother, “she has such a pretty face. If she lost weight, she could be a model.” I went from feeling generally insecure, to feeling fat and insecure. I felt like I had failed. I was enrolled in aerobics classes; I was put on diets. I got bigger and bigger until at age 30, I decided to make a big change. I started seeing a therapist and I found the courage to finally lose the weight – I was tired of the disguise. I was finally ready to shine and show my awesome superpowers!
What are your superpowers?
The superpowers I’m most proud of are my kindness and empathy.
Why did you join Perfectly Me?
I joined the Perfectly Me team, because I want to help other girls find their superpowers earlier than I did. I want both of my children - but especially my daughter, who is about to start middle school - to be as healthy and loving to themselves as possible so when others are not so kind, they can turn up their own superpowers and shine bright! And, I want them to share their superpowers so they may lift up those around them who may need a little help. What a perfectly awesome world we can create, together, if we all share our superpowers to help ourselves and others!
Samantha Helms, Curriculum Developer
What is your origin story? Every hero has one!
By day, I'm a mother of four, wrangling my energetic crew with the precision of a superhero juggling galaxies. By night, once the little ones are tucked in, I transform into The Multitasking Marvel, wielding my pen (or keyboard) to create captivating worlds and stories. My journey began in the halls of academia, where I honed my powers, earning a Master's degree in Curriculum Development. As a homeschool mom and athlete, I've mastered the art of balance, strategy, and perseverance. My origin story is one of heart, hustle, and an endless supply of coffee.
What are Your Superpowers?
Content Conjuring: With the flick of my fingers, I can transform complex ideas into engaging, easy-to-understand content.Education Empathy: My teacher's intuition allows me to connect with diverse audiences, making learning an adventure for all.Mom-tastic Multitasking: From preparing lesson plans to training for a marathon, my ability to juggle tasks with superhero efficiency is unmatched.
Why Did You Join Perfectly Me?
I joined Perfectly Me because every superhero needs a team, and I found mine here. I wanted to be part of a community that celebrates individuality and encourages each member to shine in their unique way. With my passion for teaching and storytelling, I knew Perfectly Me was the perfect platform to inspire, connect, and empower others. Together, we take on the responsibility and duty of making our world a better place!
Denise Fortson, Program Manager
What is your origin story? Every hero has one!
I was born and raised in Baltimore. I have been working in youth programs for many years and I love working with children and providing assistance with various tasks. I enjoy organizing and supervising fun, engaging recreational and non recreational activities. I think communication is so important and I work hard to do so with children as I am helping them complete supervalues building tasks. I am most proud of my ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with children and their parents.
What are Your Superpowers?
There are many superpowers that she admires but integrity is most important to her. It contributes to the solid foundation that Perfectly Me is built on.
Why Did You Join Perfectly Me?
Working with Perfectly Me offers me the opportunity to work with children, helping them to discover their superpowers and supporting them using their superpowers in positive ways.
Amarachi Anyadike, Lead Camp Coordinator
What is your origin story? Every hero has one!
Some people take time to learn their purpose and passion, but I’ve always known that mine is working with children. I was raised in Maryland by strict Nigerian parents, and lots of siblings and I learned to adapt often. This adaptability and flexibility guided me when I began working with kids at 15. As I’ve gotten older, I realized I don’t just like working directly with children, but I want to ensure that children have the tools they need for the best development possible.
What are your superpowers?
My superpowers are definitely empathy, gratitude, and authenticity.
Why did you join Perfectly Me?
I joined Perfectly Me because I felt like the mission embodied some of my passion for building a better next generation. It creates the perfect avenue for instilling children with values that leave their communities better than they found it and help them understand how their behavior impacts others. Sometimes kids just need a creative way to bring out the best in themselves and we’re here to help them.
Imani Brown, Quality Assurance Lead & Program Coordinator
What is your origin story? Every hero has one!
Living in Baltimore, I grew up in a very creative, diverse community. Always trying new activities, food, and meeting new people, I began to love music and connecting with people around me. I learned to love performing and meeting new people, gaining confidence in the process. I continue to try new things daily and constantly push myself to go out of my comfort zone with the help of those around me!
What are your superpowers?
I believe my main superpowers are kindness, resilience, and creativity
Why did you join Perfectly Me?
I joined Perfectly Me because I wanted to learn to be the best version of myself. Interacting with campers and empowering them to make a change in turn empowered me, show me that I have the ability to make a change as well.
Learn how you can join our team!
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