Write Your Story celebrated the launch of their second anthology, I Am the Change, at the Bay Area Book Festival in Berkeley, California, while Cinnamongirls from Passport Book Club and WYS moderated author panels that included New York Times bestselling authors and American Library Association award winners.

 

I Am the Change was the product of months of hard work, and features pieces in genres ranging from horror to science fiction to poetry. The girls received expert mentoring throughout the process, as well as inspiration from master classes with teachers such as acclaimed fantasy novelist Rena Barron and award-wining poet Thea Matthews. The launch event, a panel moderated by author Misa Sugiura and WYS mentor and author R.C. Barnes, culminated with Cinnamongirl Serena reading her poem, “I Am the Change.” 

 

American Indian Youth Literature Award winner Brian Young told us he wished all his panel moderators could be as well-prepared and engaging, and according to New York Times bestselling author Claribel Ortega, “The Cinnamongirls were incredible. Their interview questions were thoughtful and interesting and it was honestly one of the best panels I've done because of how amazing they were.”

 

We are so proud of our writers and moderators, and we know that whether or not they decide to pursue writing in the future, their experience at the Bay Area Book Festival will build their confidence and prepare them to be the change the world needs.

We can't wait for the Travelgirls' upcoming trip to Japan–but not just because it will be fun, exciting, and educational. Travel provides us with opportunities to forge new connections, to challenge our biases and preconceived notions. It breaks open what we believe to be possible in the world, in others, and in ourselves. Please help us expand our Travelgirls' beliefs, possibilities, and dreams!

Some of the inspiring experiences that your generosity will help provide:

We will savor fresh-caught fish from the world-famous Tsukiji Fish Market, visit a 1500-year-old temple, and participate in a traditional tea ceremony—but we will also chat with students and professors at Ritsumeikan University, meet Googlers and gamers, and learn about international journalism from Motoko Rich, Tokyo bureau chief for the New York Times.

 

Entrepreneurgirl Denver's Den-Z Marketplace Business Pitch

On May 13, five Entrepreneurgirls pitched the businesses they’ve been developing since January to the Cinnamongirl community and a panel of judges that included Cinnamongirl CEO Renée Richard, Sobha Pisharody, Chief Strategy and Product Officer at InformedDNA, and other successful entrepreneurs. The judges awarded first, second, and third place based on the girls’ attendance and engagement in the program, merit of their business ideas, and quality of their business pitch; winners received $600, $400, and $200 to reinvest in their businesses. 

 

This year’s winners were Taylor Sky (Never Caught Slippin’), Stella (Stella’s Sweet Shoppe), and Denver (Den-Z Marketplace).The girls will report back later this year to let their investor (Cinnamongirl) know how they used the funds to grow their businesses.

Coming up…

Be the Beauty - Bring your daughter, sister, niece, mother, colleague, and/or bestie with you on an inspirational 6-week journey into Toni Morrison's Sula 

with other amazing women, girls, and nonbinary people! Each weekly meeting will be led by Dr. Candice Crenshaw-Mayo, professor of English at Los Medanos College. 

 

Join us Tuesday, June 27, 6:00-7:00pm PST for a brief information session to meet Dr. Crenshaw-Mayo and Cinnamongirl's Executive Director, Renée Richard, and to learn more about our Summer Reading Series. This event is best for female-identifying people age 13 and over.

Former college admissions officer and longtime college counselor Angela Price will discuss and demystify the rapidly changing college admissions process, strategies to prepare yourself from as early as 8th grade, and how to figure out which college is right for you.

 

This online event is open to all girls and their parents entering 8th - 11th grade; you don't need to be a member to attend. There is a small fee to participate. If you cannot pay and would like to attend, please email inspired@cinnamongirl.org.