Black Girls Elevating their Voices for Change in the Education System

Funds are being requested to deliver the newly improved program GIRLs (Growing Independent Resilient Ladies). GIRLs offers 24 weeks of extracurricular, hour-long sessions that take place in schools in low-income communities in Toronto. The curriculum framework is flexible, allowing participants to define program content in terms of mentorship, skills development and support for their physical and emotional well being.

As a youth-led, Black-led program, GIRLs has the goal to help Black girls not only navigate the education system, but also imagine and influence change. GIRLs is being enhanced in response to the exciting ‘Roots of a Girl’ research report (2024) developed by Power to Girls. The research stands out in that it was informed by 245 Black-identifying girls across Ontario who participated in surveys, Afro-centric Sharing Circles and test programming. The first of its kind in Canada, this study increases understanding of what is working for girls in the education system, and where they are feeling ignored, pushed out, and inadequately supported. Over 3 years, up to 300 girls ages 12-18 would participate in GIRLs, accessing space where they work with young facilitators and mentors, and where they are equipped to design and test solutions for change within the education system.