JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, one Jacksonville woman is being recognized for turning her passion into purpose.
Elexia Coleman-Moss, a Cuban American and founder of Empowerment Resources Inc., has spent decades mentoring at-risk girls and families in Northeast Florida.
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Her commitment to service began in childhood, inspired by her mother’s teachings about dignity, respect and community.
“We’re all God’s children and we come in different shapes, sizes and colors,” Coleman-Moss said.
Originally from Sarasota, Coleman-Moss moved to Jacksonville in the early 2000s after earning a psychology degree from Florida A&M University. She quickly noticed a gap in mentorship opportunities for young girls — particularly those who lacked role models who looked like them.
“I saw a void in mentorship,” she said. “Girls didn’t have relationships with mentors who reflected their experiences.”
That realization led to the creation of Empowerment Resources Inc., a nonprofit focused on supporting youth and families through tailored programs. One of its signature initiatives is Journey Into Womanhood, a program designed to help girls navigate adolescence and build confidence.
“We serve girls from across the region — Clay County, St. Johns County, and mostly Duval County,” Coleman-Moss said.
She believes representation is key to shaping how young girls see themselves and their future.
“It’s really important because teens today have a lot of influences — some positive, some negative,” she said. “We want to be a source of encouragement and guidance.”
Empowerment Resources Inc. continues to grow, but its mission remains rooted in Coleman-Moss’s heritage: to uplift others and treat everyone with dignity, regardless of background.