Before the conversation began, before lunch was served, before a single slide was presented — participants were handed a passport. A self-guided journey through the SGOF Leadership Center, where every room tells a part of a girl's story. By the time they took their seats, no introduction was necessary. The work had already introduced itself. What happened next proved something SGOF has always believed: when people truly experience this work, they begin to see themselves as pa

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.

The Liberation Academy is where leadership continues. Every girl who enters this space has already completed our Leadership Academy. She arrives with a foundation of confidence, self-awareness, and leadership skills. She knows her voice matters. And she is ready to go deeper. This year, our 2026 Liberation Academy participants are stepping into a new season of growth — leading with integrity, communicating with intention, and advocating for themselves and their communities.

Too often, conversations about Black girls happen without Black girls in the room. This summer, we are changing that. The Black Girl Summer Social Series is a four-part community conversation series created and led by girls in SGOF's Liberation Academy. Four sessions of real dialogue, a live DJ, games, snacks, and space to connect — where Black girls speak for themselves about safety, identity, representation, and the futures they deserve.