Girls for a Change

Founded in 2000 and serving the North Chesterfield, VA community and greater Central Virginia region, Girls for a Change represents a movement dedicated to centering and celebrating Black girlhood. Since 2013, GFAC has intensified its focus on uplifting Black girls—a population whose needs remain most unmet—as a critical first step toward ending the systemic prejudice, poverty, and resource gaps that leave young women vulnerable and marginalized.

Girls for a Change believes that every girl who aspires to get ahead deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated. The organization creates spaces where Black girls can affirm themselves, build sisterhood, and discover their power to create lasting change in their communities. Rather than imposing solutions, GFAC invites girls to lead the way—designing and implementing their own social change projects while developing the confidence and competencies necessary to succeed in all areas of life.

Under the visionary leadership of CEO Angela Patton, a nationally recognized social innovator and storyteller, GFAC has expanded its reach through innovative platforms and partnerships. The organization's commitment to girl-centered development reflects core values of empowerment, integrity, and bold participation in reshaping narratives around Black girlhood. Through Sistah Circles, Girl Action Teams, and mentorship programs, GFAC participants experience consistent support and genuine relationships that affirm their worth and potential. The organization's work extends into film and storytelling, amplifying the voices and lived experiences of Black girls while dismantling harmful stereotypes and building movements for systemic change.