June 2026 Newsletter

Theme / Nguzo Saba Focus: Building Our Summer of Purpose

June is a reminder that our girls don’t have to feel ready to lead—they get to become leaders through community, practice, and purpose.

The International Girls Academy’s mission is to unite, uplift, and empower girls through the instruction and practice of the Nguzo Saba, the seven-principle value system developed by
Dr. Maulana Karenga.

In June, we leaned into Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) and Nia (Purpose) by helping girls name who they are, what they stand for, and how they want to lead as we prepare for a summer of growth.

Every planning meeting, mentorship call, and leadership lab is part of our promise to make sure our girls step into the next season with support around them and purpose in front of them.

June highlights at the IGA

Program highlight: Summer Leadership Academy Prep — In June, we began building the foundation for our Summer Leadership Academy by finalizing curriculum sessions, confirming mentors, and organizing materials so every student walks into the summer feeling ready, welcomed, and supported. The Summer Leadership Academy will include:

Leadership labs that develop confidence and communication skills
Purpose-building activities grounded in the Nguzo Saba
Team leadership challenges

June Impact Snapshot

300+ girls participated in leadership development sessions

75 hours of volunteer support through mentor outreach, gathering supplies, and program prep

12 workshops/sessions to develop youth voice, encourage teamwork, and build leadership skills

Upcoming Events

Summer Leadership Academy Kickoff

Learn more about events

Latest Blog Posts

Wed, Jun 17

The International Girls Academy Receives a $5,000 Helping Hands Grant from the Allstate Foundation

Fri, Jun 19

Juneteenth at IGA: Uplifting the Organizations That Uplift Us

June is the month we start building bridges between the school year and the summer, and between who our girls are today and who they’re becoming. Every year, those bridges are made from the same materials: community, consistency, and care.

This month, we watched leadership grow as a practice: a student raising their hand even when their voice shakes, a teammate offering encouragement, a group choosing to try again instead of shutting down. That’s Kujichagulia, or Self-Determination. That’s also Nia, or Purpose. It’s the moment a girl realizes, “I can lead from right where I am.”

Behind the scenes, the IGA team has been preparing for our Summer Leadership Academy by tightening curriculum, confirming mentors, and organizing the tools our girls need to thrive. We’re designing a summer program that feels both joyful and structured, where girls can explore identity, build confidence, practice public speaking, and develop real leadership skills in a space that honors them.

Because of you—our families, volunteers, and community partners—our girls will walk into this summer with support around them and purpose in front of them.

Get Involved

Follow us on Instagram use #IGACommunity. Repost our June highlights and tag us so we can celebrate our girls out loud.

Volunteer

Sign up today to assist with Summer Leadership Academy prep (packing supplies, setup, check-in support, session helpers, and photo/video capture)

Donate

Your gift helps fund leadership materials, student meals, transportation, and the hands-on experiences that make summer learning feel exciting and safe.

Donate

Community Gratitude

From all of us at the International Girls Academy—thank you.

Thank you to our families and caregivers for your trust and steady encouragement.

Thank you to every volunteer who gave time, energy, and heart this month. Your support helps make IGA a place where girls feel safe to grow.

Thank you to our Community Care Partners—local donors, small businesses, and supporters—who are helping us prepare for our Summer Leadership Academy. Your contributions, big and small, are helping us build a summer that will be transformational.

Because of you, our girls are surrounded by a village that believes in them.

Learn more about us

June 2026 Newsletter

Theme / Nguzo Saba Focus: Building Our Summer of Purpose

The International Girls Academy’s mission is to unite, uplift, and empower girls through the instruction and practice of the Nguzo Saba, the seven-principle value system developed by Dr. Maulana Karenga.

In June, we leaned into Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) and Nia (Purpose) by helping girls name who they are, what they stand for, and how they want to lead as we prepare for a summer of growth.

Every planning meeting, mentorship call, and leadership lab is part of our promise to make sure our girls step into the next season with support around them and purpose in front of them.

June highlights at the IGA

June Impact Snapshot

300+ girls participated in leadership development sessions

75 hours of volunteer support through mentor outreach, gathering supplies, and program prep

12 workshops/sessions to develop youth voice, encourage teamwork, and build leadership skills

Upcoming Events

Summer Leadership Academy Kickoff

Latest Blog Posts

The International Girls Academy Receives a $5,000 Helping Hands Grant from the Allstate Foundation

Juneteenth at IGA: Uplifting the Organizations That Uplift Us

Story of the Month

June is the month we start building bridges between the school year and the summer, and between who our girls are today and who they’re becoming. Every year, those bridges are made from the same materials: community, consistency, and care.

Because of you—our families, volunteers, and community partners—our girls will walk into this summer with support around them and purpose in front of them.

Get Involved

Share

Follow us on Instagram use #IGACommunity. Repost our June highlights and tag us so we can celebrate our girls out loud.Volunteer

Sign up today to assist with Summer Leadership Academy prep (packing supplies, setup, check-in support, session helpers, and photo/video capture)

Donate

Your gift helps fund leadership materials, student meals, transportation, and the hands-on experiences that make summer learning feel exciting and safe.

Community Gratitude

From all of us at the International Girls Academy—thank you.

Thank you to our families and caregivers for your trust and steady encouragement.

Thank you to every volunteer who gave time, energy, and heart this month. Your support helps make IGA a place where girls feel safe to grow.

Thank you to our Community Care Partners—local donors, small businesses, and supporters—who are helping us prepare for our Summer Leadership Academy. Your contributions, big and small, are helping us build a summer that will be transformational.

Because of you, our girls are surrounded by a village that believes in them.

The International Girls Academy’s mission is to unite, uplift, and empower girls through the instruction and practice of the Nguzo Saba, the seven-principle value system developed by
Dr. Maulana Karenga.

Follow us on Instagram use #IGACommunity. Repost our June highlights and tag us so we can celebrate our girls out loud.

Volunteer