BUILDing Soldierettes: Empowering Women to Lead With Purpose

The BUILD Program and PCITI International are joining forces to present BUILDing Soldierettes, an empowering leadership workshop designed to help women strengthen their confidence, discipline, emotional intelligence, and sense of purpose while stepping more fully into their leadership potential.

Taking place August 29, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 1409 West Vernon Ave. in Los Angeles, the event welcomes women of all ages and backgrounds for an afternoon focused on leadership, personal growth, purpose, discipline, alignment, and community.

At its heart, BUILDing Soldierettes is about recognizing the influence women have in shaping families, workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities. Through interactive programming, mentorship, networking, and meaningful conversations, participants will explore how greater clarity, discipline, and emotional intelligence can translate into stronger leadership in every area of life.

The workshop comes under the leadership of Halimah Basheer, Executive Director of the BUILD Program, who is carrying forward the work established by her father, renowned community violence intervention pioneer Dr. Aquil Basheer.

A public health professional, behavioral health specialist, and community violence intervention leader, Halimah Basheer brings experience in program management, clinical supervision, behavioral therapy, and public safety initiatives. Her leadership represents both a continuation of BUILD’s foundation and an expansion of its mission to engage and empower the next generation of community leaders.

“BUILDing Soldierettes is about recognizing the power women have to lead, influence, build, and transform the communities around them,” said Halimah Basheer. “Leadership requires discipline, purpose, emotional intelligence, and alignment. We want women to understand that they do not have to compete with men to be powerful leaders. We can stand alongside one another in partnership, strengthening our families and communities together.”

That spirit of partnership is central to the workshop. Rather than framing leadership as competition, BUILDing Soldierettes encourages women to identify and embrace their individual strengths while developing collaborative relationships with men and other community stakeholders.

Participants will have the opportunity to connect with leaders, mentors, and community professionals while gaining practical tools for navigating personal, professional, and community challenges. The experience is designed to encourage women to define their purpose, build greater discipline, strengthen their leadership skills, and move confidently into the roles they are called to serve.

The initiative also advances the BUILD Program’s broader mission of “putting the public back in public safety” through investment in people. By strengthening families, developing community leaders, promoting prevention, and encouraging community engagement, BUILD works to create safer, healthier, and more resilient communities.

Founded by Dr. Aquil Basheer, the BUILD Program has become recognized for its community-based approach to violence intervention, prevention, mentorship, behavioral intervention, and leadership development. Under Halimah Basheer’s leadership, the organization continues to evolve while remaining rooted in service, accountability, discipline, healing, leadership, and community transformation.

“BUILDing Soldierettes is another opportunity to invest in people,” Basheer added. “When women are equipped with the tools to lead with purpose, discipline and intelligence, the impact extends far beyond the individual. It reaches families, organizations, neighborhoods, and entire communities.”

Event Details

BUILDing Soldierettes
Date:August 29, 2026
Time:12 p.m.–4 p.m.
Location:1409 West Vernon Ave., Los Angeles, CA
Admission: All ages welcome
Registration:Required

BUILDing Soldierettes represents another step in the BUILD Program and PCITI International’s commitment to developing leaders, empowering women, strengthening families, and building safer communities through education, mentorship, prevention, and purpose-driven leadership.