Girls For A Change (GFAC) was formed in 2000, and achieved nonprofit status in 2004, with the idea of empowering young women by inviting them to design, lead, fund and implement social change projects that tackle issues girls face in their own neighborhoods.

Since 2013, GFAC has focused more deeply on the empowerment and uplifting of a population whose needs are most unmet — Black girls. We, as an organization and movement, view this action as a first step to end the prejudice, poverty and lack of resources that leave Black girls and young women vulnerable at the margins of society.

Through GFAC programs, not only do girls create change by engaging in social change projects, but in the process, they learn problem-solving skills, as well as what it means to change policy and create movements. GFAC programs also focus on leadership skills, goal-planning, financial literacy, building a network, exposure, community engagement, skill-building, sisterhood building, and socio-emotional learning among other things. We also address various issues to include institutional racism, sexism, the digital divide, and the glass ceiling, which for many Black girls can be a concrete ceiling.

GFAC programs are designed to provide consistent support to girls, from their youth into their young adulthood, and beyond. We also provide outreach programs for middle and high school girls. Through experiential learning and consistent exposure, we focus on ensuring girls are ahead of the learning curve, breaking cycles and closing the opportunity gaps faced by too many disadvantaged, marginalized or underrepresented girls — specifically Black girls. We want to give every girl* who aspires to get ahead a chance to be seen, heard and celebrated.

*While GFAC has chosen to focus on Black girls for the various reasons listed above, all girls are welcome to participate in our programs as our vision is for every girl to be seen, heard and celebrated.