Meet Nadira | A GRP Story
Meet Nadira! Nadira is the founder of Nadira Bostic Copywriting and is a graduate of Temple University.
I’m Nadira. I attended Girls Rock Philly in 2012 when I was 14 years old. My grandmother would drop me off at Girard College for summer camp every morning before starting her shift as Girard College’s nurse. While at GRP, I played guitar for my band, NALAJ. I had some previous knowledge of music theory and experience playing guitar before attending, and GRP helped me expand my knowledge and learn new techniques.
Attending GRP helped me strengthen my perseverance. I have cerebral palsy, which limits my dexterity. My guitar instructor taught me to play barre chords comfortably by adjusting my grip on the neck of the guitar to reduce the stress on my hands. The class taught me to try different ways to do things if I can’t figure it out the first time.
Writing and playing music with my band helped me become more confident. I have stage fright, and performing the song with my friends without being afraid of how people would view me gave me a big confidence boost. I fondly remember recording a song with my band after we performed at GRP’s showcase. It was my first time in a recording studio, and I liked learning about the recording process.
In addition to teaching me about music, GRP helped me learn about my identity. During an activity about the stereotypes that society has about femininity, I reflected on what being a girl meant to me, and I started to cry because I came to a realization that scared me: I realized at that moment that I am bisexual.
A GRP counselor was the first person I came out to. I told her that I was afraid that coming out would disappoint or upset my family. My counselor helped me realize that I shouldn’t be ashamed of my sexuality because it is a part of who I am, and my family will continue to love me.
Attending GRP inspired me to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community. GRP was very inclusive and welcoming to all students. I never felt othered or out of place there. They also used a very loose definition of “girl.” As long as you identified as a girl at one point in your life, you were welcome to attend. It didn’t matter what gender you identified as currently.
While studying at Temple University, I came out to my family and joined Temple’s Queer Student Union, where I found a sense of community and met my best friends, who I still stay in touch with four years after graduating.
To GRP’s band coaches, counselors, and staff, I’d like to say thank you for being yourselves and showing me that I can live authentically. At GRP, I learned I don’t have to be afraid to be who I am because I could see other people living happily as who they are.
To the individuals and organizations who make GRP possible, I’d like to say thank you for funding and supporting a program that gives people the opportunity to step outside of themselves and discover something that they might not have been able to discover otherwise.
Girls Rock Philly, you changed my life!
