Nakia Bowling is on a mission to give Black students experiences they might not get in school.
As vice president of government affairs, development, and family services for the Opa-locka-based nonprofit Ten North Group, Bowling oversees The Art of Transformation after-school program, an initiative designed to engage students in creative, hands-on learning.
Operating at three Miami-area schools—Miami Shores Elementary, Norwood Elementary, and Jeremiah Academy—the program serves students in grades four through eight, nearly 88% of whom are Black.
With activities ranging from aerial silks and dance to STEM projects like wind-powered sail cars, Bowling intentionally designed the program to offer opportunities not commonly found in predominantly Black communities.
“I wanted activities you typically don’t find in communities of color,” Bowling told Miami Herald. “We really wanted kids to just develop using their hands and their creativity and movement.”
A Vision Rooted in Representation and History
Launched in August with a $4.5 million grant from The Children’s Trust, The Art of Transformation goes beyond traditional after-school programs by prioritizing cultural education.
The curriculum includes “required reading” from Black authors like Toni Morrison alongside works from Harriet Beecher Stowe, ensuring students and their families engage with history in meaningful ways.
Bowling sees this as a direct response to growing restrictions on teaching Black history in Florida schools.
“We know there has been this systemic effort to kind of erase Black culture, Black history,” she said. “We want to be very intentional and go against the grain.”
Hiring Black Educators to Inspire the Next Generation
A key aspect of Bowling’s approach is ensuring students see themselves reflected in leadership. She has prioritized hiring Black educators and artists, including STEM teacher Thechelet Charles and dance instructor Taurean Devoe.
“I want artists of color to teach children of color. I want to hire Black men to teach Black students and non-Black students,” Bowling said, stressing the importance of positive Black male role models.
Unafraid of criticism, she added:
“They’re qualified. I hire the best, and I believe that I can find the best in my community.”
From Journalism to Nonprofit Leadership: A Commitment to Black Miami
Bowling, 49, grew up in Liberty City, surrounded by Black business owners and professionals who shaped her sense of community and pride. After earning a journalism degree from South Carolina State University, she worked for the Miami Times under publisher Rachel Reeves, before shifting to nonprofit work.
Her passion for uplifting Black communities continues to drive her work at Ten North Group.
“I get the same euphoria when a child who’s never experienced silk aerial gets up on the rope and they’re completely blown away,” she said.
‘You Are Worthy’
One of Bowling’s proudest moments was curating an art exhibit featuring students’ work in Opa-locka. Watching students and their families admire their contributions, she saw firsthand the impact of representation and encouragement.
“They need to see that,” she said. “You can’t replicate that feeling. They see themselves, and they see someone being proud of them, saying, ‘Hey, you matter to me. You are worthy.’”
