2023 Girls to Greatness Teen Summit - Final

2026 Girls to Greatness Teen Summit Highlights

Click to view: 2026 PROGRAM JOURNAL

The EmpowHer Girls to Greatness Teen Summit: The Power of Sisterhood will take place on Friday, April 17, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM PST. The goal of our Summit is to educate, celebrate, and inspire 600+ EmpowHer girls from our in-school programs, in grades 7-12. The day aims to expose our youth to varying career opportunities in fields underrepresented by women of color. The day will include 25 interactive workshops with industry professionals, mentoring with 150+ renowned women business professionals, student Social Justice STEAM project presentations, keynote speakers, our Rising Star Awards Ceremony–honoring girls and women under the age of 25 years old who have achieved greatness and serve as role models, and so much more!

Sponsorships are still available. For more information on how you can support the Girls to Greatness Teen Summit Contact sheila@empowher.org

Featuring

Emcee

Annie Gonzalez

Actress, Singer, Dancer | Bio

Keynote Speaker

Tess Holliday

Author, Model, and Inclusivity Consultant | Bio

The Rising Star Award is presented annually to exceptional women, under the age of 25 years old, who have boldly broken ceilings and challenged systemic barriers to create a path for girls and women to achieve greatness. It is our way of thanking these incredible young trailblazers for shattering misconceptions and redefining expectations for girls everywhere.

HONOREE

COCO GRANDERSON

FOUNDER, YES DAY TM | BIO

Performers

DJ Midi Riperton

Shannon Francheall

Event Production Specialist- The Walt Disney Company

Movement Instructor | Member of: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated

Nonosina Polynesia

Marshay Johnson

Educational Counselor

Member of: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated

Cheer Team

Heather Daughtery

Chief of Programming at Black Boy Writes Media & Marketing, LA Phil

Member of: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated

Magician

Special Guests

Claudia Botero

Emmy Award Winning Journalist

Lorena Martinez

Actor, Producer and Host

Brenda Garcia

Stuntwoman

Jessica Mikayla

Theatrical and Voice Over Actor

Kameron Greene

On-Air Radio Host | KJLH Radio

Amy Johnson

Anchor | CBS LA

EmpowHer Student STEM Project Competition

Our eighth and ninth grade classes have been challenged to work in groups to identify a social justice issue that is important to them and develop a project proposal outlining how a STEAM technique can be used to amplify and/or address the problem. The challenge is designed to foster innovation, engage in social justice, and develop 21st Century Skills – critical thinking, communication and collaboration. In completing the challenge, students must: (1) identify and learn about a pressing social justice issue that impacts a marginalized community; (2) use creativity and innovation; (3) communicate with group members to complete assignments; and (4) work in groups of 1-15 girls to conduct research and develop a project proposal presentation. The top three teams in each grade level are pre-selected to present their project proposal to a panel of judges during the Girls to Greatness Teen Summit. Judges will award first ($1000), second ($500), and third ($250) prizes to the winners in each grade level.

As a mentor, you will be paired with another mentor to meet in-person with a small group of middle/high school girls and share your story. As a successful leader, your journey of success both challenges and inspires our girls to believe in themselves, their potential to achieve and to overcome obstacles. Your story is a fearless example to all young people to create their own stories of accomplishment.

All mentors commit to attending the Girls to Greatness Teen Summit: Hear Me Roar… on April 4, 2025

Mentors are required to:
(1) Submit application, including a headshot photo (jpeg)
(2) Attend one mandatory mentor orientation
(3) Participate in interactive virtual mentoring session with a small group of 6 girls (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM)