Girls For A Change

What an incredible opportunity to interview with ABC News' Juju Chang! Angela and Natalie were thrilled to discuss the lasting impacts of the Daughters documentary. Their insights shed light on its significance and reach as a tool for change in the criminal justice system.

Happy New Year! Today is the last day of Kwanzaa! Today's principle is Imani (Faith). Imaani emphasizes the importance of faith in oneself, others, and the struggle for a better world. This year we celebrated 20 years of Camp Diva Leadership Academy. As we look back on 20 years, we can't help but feel gratitude for participants and families who have faith in us and trust our process. Here are some photos from our Legacy Cookout, where we invited the community to celebrate 20 years. Read more about our 20 Years on the blog ➡️ https://heyor.ca/aTdKZE

We are thrilled to Bank of America with the Big Impact Partner of the Year Award! Their support through the Neighborhood Builders Grant—a multi-year investment in our operations, capacity building, and skill development has been a game-changer for Girls For A Change. This transformative funding ensures that while we continue to raise awareness and funds for our Building Campaign, our essential programs and operations remain strong. Thanks to this grant, we can expand our team, enabling us to serve even more girls in our new facility. Through this exciting growth, we are dedicated to creating a brave space unapologetically rooted in Black culture and history a space where our participants can thrive, dream big, and feel truly supported. We deeply appreciate Bank of America’s commitment to empowering our mission and creating lasting impact. Thank you for believing in our vision!

Today we celebrate the Kwanzaa principle Kuumba: the celebration of creativity and the building of a strong community. Our sustaining partnership with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has allowed several Girl Action Teams to harness the power of creativity to inspire positive change in their communities using, activism, and self-expression. These projects amplify the voices of our participants. This Girl Action Team is open for registration! This year participants are in the artist's seat with Coach Nickey and Sistah Austin Miles. Girls will go on a journey of self-discovery through the eyes of women artists like Frida Kahlo and other women artists to find who they are behind who society paints them to be. Learn more and register for an info session ➡️ https://heyor.ca/0a33Ms

A lot of questions about Daughters documentary stem from curiosity about how the Date With Dad program came to be. Like all of our programs, participants drive everything from concept to design to execution. Since its inception, it has continued to make an impact on fathers, their daughters, and the community. Here's a clip from an interview with Daughters Co-Directors Angela Patton and Natalie on MSNBCs Morning Joe. Watch the whole interview ➡️ https://heyor.ca/wBri2z

Today's Kwanzaa Principle is Nia (Purpose), which reminds us of our new Peer Advisor cohort that launched this year in collaboration with BareSOUL yoga & wellness & Wellness. The Peer Advisor Restore program is centered on wellness and healing - two things desperately needed in our schools and communities. Participants in the program learn how to strengthen their own self-care practice and simultaneously use it to engage in the movement of community care. Upon completion of the program, participants receive a certification that gives them opportunities to facilitate healing circles in their communities. We're so proud of our Peer Advisors this year, who grew and blossomed over the course of the program. Here's a look at the program through the eyes of Peer Advisor Afryea Williams.

Richmond Memorial Health Foundation has been an incredible supporter of our mission over the years. Their commitment to advancing health equity and empowering our community has been instrumental in sustaining programs at Girls For A Change. Most recently, they generously sponsored the Richmond Impact Screening of Daughters. Additionally, their multi-year funding grants have provided invaluable support to many of our initiatives. This year, as a token of our deep appreciation, we proudly honored Richmond Memorial Health Foundation with the 2024 Sustaining Partner of the Year Award. We are endlessly grateful for their dedication, vision, and belief in the power of our work to create meaningful change. Thank you for standing with us!

We have been so grateful for the support of the Weissberg Foundation this year. Their investment in our mission has made a tremendous impact. So much so, that we are honoring them with the New Partner of the Year Award for their dedication to our work!

Today's Kwanzaa principle is Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics). At Girls For A Change, we're committed to creating brave spaces so that each girl is equipped with the tools, knowledge, and networks necessary to make significant impacts in their lives and the lives of others. But we can't do this alone. In the spirit of Ujamaa, we ask for your support. Donate to our One Million Reasons to Build campaign so that we can secure the funding to build a legacy. Donate ➡️ https://heyor.ca/EUBzJj

Today's Kwanzaa principle is Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility). We are so grateful for our board. This letter from Board Treasurer Charles P. Taylor is a great reflection of Ujima. "Dear Board and Staff of Girls For A Change, As we embrace this season of gratitude and reflection, I want to take a moment to express my deep appreciation for each of you and the extraordinary work you do at Girls For A Change. The opportunity to change how the world views Black girls and to increase the opportunities they receive is only possible because we listen to them. They have the answers—clear, powerful, and visionary. Our role is to listen deeply and to help them execute their dreams in a world without boundaries or limits. When given the tools and space to lead, Black girls know what is right and what is possible. Over the years, I’ve witnessed the transformative work of not only the brilliant girls who are part of GFAC but also the incredible staff led by Angela Patton. Your unwavering dedication and unshakable commitment have shown me that anything is possible when we stand together with a shared vision. As we look ahead to 2025, I am filled with hope and excitement for what we will accomplish together. But for now, as we spend time with our families and reflect on what we are grateful for, I encourage us all to continue shaping an organization that unapologetically puts Black girls first. Through our collective efforts, we are helping create a world where they can build lives they are proud of and deeply grateful for. Thank you for your passion, commitment, and belief in the power of Black girls to lead the way." - Charles P. Taylor