Pinky Promise International was birthed through a vision given to Vicki M. Johnson, summer 2012 that showcased high school girls in beautiful formal apparel taking an oath of abstinence from sexual and substance abuse behaviors.
Vicki M. Johnson presented this idea to a friend who had an established girls' organization. It was never her intent to progress and establish an organization that she, herself, would lead and carry out the mission. August 25, 2012, a turning point for Vicki where Jeremiah 29:11 was brought to life in such an undeniable way through compelling expressions echoed from the lips of renowned poet Dr. Maya Angelou.
Vicki M. Johnson and special friends were VIP Guest attending Dr. Angelou's appearance in Memphis, TN. The life-changing speech titled "A Rainbow In My Cloud" would be the spark to ignite the fire that brought this "youth mentoring" vision into reality. This night would be the predestined time, Vicki M. Johnson would accept her call as the Founder & CEO to champion this mammoth task. Over the next two weeks, she and a small team of people committed to seeing a change in girls' lives began promoting girls' interest to join Pinky Promise.
On September 9, 2012 , at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Collierville, TN, the first Interest Meeting was held to welcome girls and their families. With only two weeks to spread the word, it was not clear how many would attend. The meeting space prepared for 35 people, with the hope of 5 girls joining the program, actually brought out 98 attendees. From that date, the first class of girls' grades 9-12, enrolled, and PPI graduated 40 beautiful young ladies, April 21, 2013, at the Memphis Cook Convention Center.
Due to increased requests, Pinky Promise International launched a Middle School Division for girls' grades 6-8, February 3, 2013. High School Girl participants are called Sapphires, and Middle School Girl participants are called Jewels. Each class completes the 9-month program "PPI PHAZE 1," which marks the earned credits of the dual platform of the Pinky Promise International Institute's Instructional Training – "A Guide to Positive Choices", Inspirational Life Coach Sessions, and INSPIRE ME Community Service Events. The culmination for each girl in the first-year program is the formal oath ceremony and ring presentation called The Promise Ball.
PPI Year 2 and beyond, girls enrolled into Promise Leadership Academy, where leadership skills training and development are the focus of instruction
September 15, 2013, Pinky Promise International launched its Male Division for boys' grades 6-12, called The Gents Promise. August 2015, PPI brought its mission full circle, emphasizing obedience and self-discipline, by launching its Elementary Division called Pinky Kids for boys and girls ages 5-10. PPI's Parent Mentoring Initiative called Parent KINEC [Keys To Intentional Networking, Engagement & Communications] began August 2015. May 1, 2016, PPI debuted its Signature Character, OBE The Eagle, which was the brainchild and creation of CEO Vicki M. Johnson.
September 15, 2013, Pinky Promise International launched its Male Division for boys' grades 6-12, called The Gents Promise. August 2015, PPI brought its mission full circle, emphasizing obedience and self-discipline, by launching its Elementary Division called Pinky Kids for boys and girls ages 5-10. PPI's Parent Mentoring Initiative called Parent KINEC [Keys To Intentional Networking, Engagement & Communications] began August 2015. May 1, 2016, PPI debuted its Signature Character, OBE The Eagle, which was the brainchild and creation of CEO Vicki M. Johnson.
