Girls for a Change is helping these students find their voices

RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond Public Schools has partnered with the non-profit group Girls for a Change for the past ten years. In that time, Girls for a Change has helped girls of color develop their voices, experience sisterhood, find a safe space to work through problems, and provide motivation.

"Motivation to change their circumstances," Girls for a Change Coach Nickey McMullen said. “Accessibility to have the tools and resources to change their circumstances."

"The girls go through so many things, especially in high school and their personal lives," school social worker Whitney Wilson said. “They need to be able to connect with positive energy and uplifting energy."

Jahmiah Anderson said the program is helping her build confidence and sense of community.

"We learn a lot about social change and how to make a change through our community as black girls," the 10th grade student said. "Because we don't really get that opportunity to speak our mind and get out there and make a change."

They also encourage young black girls to remember the pioneers who came before them. Women like Maggie Walker and Rosa Parks; strong women with strong voices.

"It shows that it can be done," McMullen said. “It removes what sister Angela calls 'the concrete ceiling' as opposed to 'the glass ceiling'. Glass ceiling, most people can see, even though they can't achieve the goal, they can see the goal on the other side. For us, there's a concrete ceiling. You know something is there, but you can't even see it."

Breaking that ceiling is Building Better Minds.