What happens when you hand a girl a tool and tell her she belongs? For the Discovery Sistas, girls ages 7–10 in our Mini Flames program, one question about archaeology opened a door to ten sessions of building, coding, and transformation. Over 80% finished feeling confident coding independently. They told their own story at the Connecticut Science Center — and walked out with the Best Values Award.

On April 4th, something beautiful happened at the SGOF Leadership Center. Lace gloves. Pearls. Herbal tea and possibility in the air. The Mentorship Tea Party brought together three generations of Black girls and women — Mini Flames, Liberation Academy participants, and mentors from Pedals & STEM. What followed was organic, electric, and unlike anything we had done before. When girls and women of color are placed in environments built for them, they thrive, connect, and lead.