Black girls are one of the most untapped resources we have in this country. They are underestimated, under celebrated, and face issues that are not addressed or even acknowledged. Black girls face stereotypes and negative perceptions from an early age, are often seen as disruptive or have attitudes when they speak up, are hyper-sexualized because of their body type, experience high rates of school push out, and see few role models who look like them (to name a few issues). Girls For A Change works to change this by investing first in the empowerment and wellbeing of Black girls so that they know the magic that lies within them. Our mission is to empower Black girls to visualize their bright futures and potential through discovery, development, innovation, and social change in their communities. Our work is designed to change the trajectory of Black girls’ lives and increase the contribution of Black girls in the 21st century. We want every girl to be seen, heard and celebrated.

We invest in Black girls by offering access to mentors who look like them, STEAM experiences, digital skills training to close the digital divide in our community, social-emotional learning, and opportunities to develop their voice and speak out about issues. Simply put, we offer development opportunities designed to take care of the whole girl so that she knows how powerful she is.

Investing in Black girls doesn’t just mean creating programs you think they need or want, it means listening to what they need. Nonprofits are often quick to come up with solutions for the communities they serve without ever truly listening to what that community wants. We meet and talk to our girls regularly, we ask them for their ideas and feedback, and we actively involve them in our initiatives. When girls see that their opinions matter, they feel more confident to reach for the stars in their own lives. Putting girls voices at the center also builds trust within our community and helps us stay fresh and creative as an organization.

Beyond listening and feedback, we are always looking for ways to co-create with our girls. We do this by putting girls on councils and committees, and asking them to design and lead Girl Action Team projects. Co-creation has led to some of the most powerful initiatives here at Girls For A Change. It’s the reason we have Date with Dad and a mural in Richmond. Through co-creation, girls feel empowered. Nia Taylor, a 16-year-old in one of our programs, found her voice at Girls For A Change.

Read the full article about investing in Black girls' futures by Angela Patton at FeedbackLabs.