Who We Are

Girls For A Change (GFAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization aimed at empowering self-identifying Black girls in Central Virginia to visualize their bright futures and potential through discovery, development, innovation, and social change in their communities. Our mission is to prepare Black girls for the world and the world for Black girls.

"We are Black girls. We are powerful.
We are amazing."

-Naomi Vickers

Girl Ambassador Participant

2024 Annual Report

Our Values

Our core values, fundamental to the empowerment and development of Black girls, are as follows:
  • Empowering Bold Visions and Playfulness
  • Uncompromising Integrity and Excellence
  • Systematic and Community-Centric Approach
  • Co-creation and Participation
  • Challenging the Status Quo
  • Two-Fold Mission of Preparation and Advocacy
Read our full Values statement

Recent blogs

Richmond Based Women Entrepreneurs: We need you!

By Ashley Ray | September 20, 2021

Black female entrepreneurs are leading the way in starting businesses. According to Harvard Business Review, “17% of Black women are in the process of starting or running new businesses, compared to just 10% of white women, and 15% of white men.”  The number of businesses owned by women is increasing every day, however, finding startup…

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Blacks In Tech: A Conversation with GFAC Board President Maureen Jules-Perez

By Ashley Ray | June 23, 2021

When you ask Maureen Jules-Perez how she got into technology, her immediate response is, “My favorite teacher, Mr. Joseph Maley.” When Maureen was in school, there was a “Shadow Career Day” — a day for students to visit different workplaces to learn more about the careers they were interested in pursuing. Maureen’s choice was cosmetology. Her…

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#BlackExcellence: Girl Ambassador Program Participant Earns Full Ride to James Madison University

By Girls For A Change | June 14, 2021

Michelle Johnson is a high-achieving student graduating from Huguenot High School. Outside of her classes, she has been  working hard in both our Girl Ambassador Program and on one of our Girl Action Teams. As a participant on our Huguenot Girl Team, she and the team helped rewrite fairy tales with The Martin Agency to…

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Fresh Start

Girls For A Change + DTLR: Fresh START for local students

By Girls For A Change | May 21, 2021

As the pandemic wanes, Girls For A Change and DTLR look to recharge students with a series of family and community engagement events. Students need support more than ever as they enter into summer and look towards schools returning to in-person instruction. They need a recharge – a fresh start. We are excited to partner…

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