About us
From a small mentorship circle to a Baltimore movement.
Young Queens in Training, Inc. was founded in 2018 by Briauna Wills as a small mentorship initiative designed to create a safe, supportive environment for girls. Since then, YQIT has grown into a Baltimore-based nonprofit that has impacted more than 300 girls and families throughout Baltimore City.
Today, YQIT delivers mentorship, workshops, conferences, community service, wellness experiences, educational programming and family-centered support. Former participants have gone on to college, the workforce — and some have returned as mentors.
Mission
To empower girls through mentorship, leadership development, life skills, and meaningful community engagement while encouraging them to remain confident, resilient, and committed to their future.
Vision
A future where every girl and vulnerable family has access to mentorship, resources, leadership development, health equity, and opportunities that create generational change.
Our founder
Briauna Wills
Young Queens in Training grew from Briauna's personal experiences and years of working with young people and families in human services. She saw girls in Baltimore City navigating poverty, trauma, community violence, low self-esteem and limited access to positive role models — often without a trusted adult to remind them of their worth.
Becoming a mother to two daughters made that need even more personal. YQIT was created to provide consistent mentorship, meaningful opportunities, practical life skills and a supportive village — helping girls recognize their own power and stay loyal to the royalty within.
"I want every girl to have the same love, protection, guidance, and opportunities I want for my own children."
Milestones
Our journey
- 2018Young Queens in Training founded by Briauna Wills.
- 2019Briauna Wills received the Chick-fil-A Everyday Hero Award.
- 2022Briauna Wills received the Baltimore Game Changer Award.
- 2025Briauna Wills received a Certificate of Recognition from the Mayor of Baltimore.
- 2026YQIT introduced the When Women Exhale Gala, supporting scholarships for female youth.
- 2026–28Strategy expands family support, workforce and leadership, mentoring, partnerships and fundraising.
Leadership
Board of Directors
Briauna Wills
President & Chief Executive Officer
Nonprofit executive, community advocate and public-health professional with more than a decade serving vulnerable communities across Maryland. Program Manager for Cure Violence Annapolis.
Jakeyra Patton
Vice President
Supports organizational leadership through strategic planning, board development, volunteer engagement and growth, and is passionate about mentoring young women.
Alyssa Gooby
Marketing Chair
Leads marketing and communications — social media, brand, newsletters, event marketing and sponsorship materials — to grow YQIT's visibility.