Juneteenth at IGA: Uplifting the Organizations That Uplift Us
At The International Girls Academy (IGA), Juneteenth is both a celebration and a commitment. We honor the truth of our history, the resilience of our people, and the ongoing work of building a world where Black girls are fully free to learn, lead, heal, and thrive.
This June, we’re choosing to spotlight other organizations doing powerful, community-rooted work, especially in areas that matter deeply to IGA: mental wellness, identity, leadership, and STEM opportunity. These kinds of organizations deserve more visibility, more support, and more partners.
Below are five nonprofits we’d love to highlight all month long. We encourage you to visit their websites (linked), explore and share their work, and get involved.
1) Black Girls Smile
Black Girls Smile creates culturally responsive mental health education and healing spaces that center joy, resilience, and community care for Black women and girls.
Why IGA is highlighting them: We believe healing is part of liberation—and investing in our own mental health is a leadership skill that allows us to uplift our communities around us. Black Girls Smile makes mental health support feel accessible, affirming, and real.
Website: https://www.blackgirlssmile.org/
2) Black Girls Do STEM
Black Girls Do STEM provides hands-on STEM learning experiences, mentorship pathways, and scholarships that help Black girls see themselves as innovators and solution-creators.
Why IGA is highlighting them: Juneteenth reminds us that freedom requires access. We love the way this organization is actively building access to labs, learning, mentors, and sustainable futures in STEM for Black girls who have traditionally been underrepresented in this field.
Website: https://bgdstem.com/
3) Black Girls Do Engineer
Black Girls Do Engineer is an award-winning education technology organization providing girls ages 6–21 with hands-on STEM training and career exploration experiences in fields including robotics, AI, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
Why IGA is highlighting them: All girls, especially those who are underrepresented in STEM industries, deserve accessible ways to explore their inspirations early on. BGDE is making those pathways available far and wide by providing practical skill-building experiences both in person and online through their innovative EdTech platform.
Website: https://blackgirlsdoengineer.org/
4) The Building Beautiful Black Girls Project
The Building Beautiful Black Girls Project focuses on strengthening Black girls’ self-worth and healthy relationship awareness through prevention-based programming, mentorship, and community partnerships.
Why IGA is highlighting them: Juneteenth reminds us of the importance of freeing ourselves from dangerous cycles and building strong community support networks. This work speaks to the heart of what we want for every girl: confidence, safety, strong boundaries, and a circle of support that helps them thrive.
Website: https://www.bbbgprjct.org/
5) Black Girls Can
Black Girls Can provides free, hands-on programs that support Black girls in areas including STEAM, entrepreneurship, wellness, civic engagement, media, and performing arts.
Why IGA is highlighting them: We love organizations that combine opportunity with affirmation. Their model reflects what we believe at IGA: with the right resources, we can enable the brilliance already present in our communities to flourish.
Website: https://www.blackgirlscaninc.org/
How We’re Celebrating Juneteenth at IGA All June
Juneteenth is a powerful reminder for us of why we do the work that we do. This Juneteenth, we reaffirm our commitment to:
Celebrating Black joy and excellence
Learning the history and telling the truth
Uplifting organizations doing year-round community work
Encouraging our girls to lead with purpose and care
An Invitation From IGA
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to honor Juneteenth this month, consider choosing any of the organizations above and supporting them by:
Making a donation (of any amount)
Sharing their mission on social media (and tagging them!)
Inviting a friend to learn about them
Volunteering your skills or time
With purpose,
The International Girls Academy
