Breaking barriers. Connecting cultures. Building leaders.

K-12 STEAM education

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Too often decisions are made for our young girls without their voices being solicited or heard, especially for BIPOC and marginalized communities. We seek to debunk that narrative and provide a space where not only their ideas are welcomed, but they are the driving force behind the creative vision, the action plan and how they hope to engage with one another and their community. Collectively, we must work with young women and girls to help them identify and deconstruct socio-cultural barriers so that they can develop open-mindedness and knowledge of cultures in surrounding communities. By doing so, we develop confident leaders to build and lead a culturally intelligent workforce. Together, we can foster a community that increases self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-confidence in middle and high school students who are eager to work with one another, share their voices and ideas for cultural relations and leadership positions in Los Angeles County and around the world.

The E.M.B.R.A.C.E Experience (aka TEE) is designed to build self-confidence and leadership skills in middle and high school girls. We will conduct 12 sessions, with sessions 1 and 12 as single-part events. Session one is the introduction to the program and session 12 is the culminating event – TEE Party (Fundraising, Scholarship Gala). Sessions 2 – 11 are conducted in two-parts focused on confidence and leadership building topics and activities. Part 1 will be facilitated by various experts and organizations that cover areas such as heritage, race, and stereotypes, body image, physical fitness, psychological and emotional health, nutrition, etiquette, self-esteem, bullying, communication and public speaking, decision making and delegation, finances and money management, business, careers and entrepreneurship, marketing and networking, community, building relationships, giving back and mentorship.
Part 2 are cultural field trips to introduce the girls to a community outside of her own where we indulge in various activities and events. These activities will be used to learn about different traditions and develop a level of comfort being themselves around those who seem to be different. The leadership skills they already have will be honed and enhanced. They will also be encouraged to use them in everyday activities at home, school and social environments that require their leadership.

In the short-term, girls will gain deeper understanding of themselves and those around them; gain exposure to innovative experiences; acquire skills and knowledge that will help prepare them for college and other service interests; and join a dynamic group striving to see each other flourish! These opportunities include exposure to films, travel, food, art, recreation, adventures and culture immersion in Los Angeles.
In the long-term, we hope to identify a “TEE Up” Advisory Council that will develop a 9-month calendar of cross-cultural experiences, events and activities, help to design the program goals for TEE Up, set timelines/actions, connect with potential venues/service-providers for activities and support with identifying additional girls that have an interest in participating in the program. Council members will serve as future mentors to incoming TEE participants and become a cadre of culturally competent visionary leaders using their voices to drive change in Los Angeles.

In the spring of 2023, in partnership with the The G1 Girls Middle School Ministry Mentorship program, over the course of six weeks, E.M.B.R.A.C.E. provided Saturday morning intensives for approximately 20 girls across Los Angeles. Each week, the girls engaged in a confidence and leadership building session followed by a cultural activity. Cultural activities included lessons in Indian culture and the role that Henna has in ceremonial practices; Ethiopia and the influences of gathering over food in community; Japanese traditions and the history of kimonos and a Taiko drumming session. Facilitators shared lived experience as they discussed family cultures, traditions and their journey of self-discovery and career paths following their passion. Participants and their mothers shared testimonials about the experience at the culminating tea party. As a result of these activities, the G1 Girls program experienced an increase in participation to 55 girls and a waiting list in 2024.