Meet Radiant G: Unveiling the Evolution of Girls Empowerment Network's Self-Efficacy Curriculum and Programs

We’re thrilled to share the exciting rebrand of our self-efficacy curriculum – a transformation that symbolizes a radiant new era for our organization.

Formerly known as Girl Connect, our flagship program has served as a tool for girls to increase self-efficacy (their belief in their own abilities to succeed) across the areas of our SixC’s. Our curriculum comes to life through various adaptations including programs in schools, conferences, workshops, virtually, and in summer programs. However, recognizing the evolving landscape of youth empowerment and the importance of inclusivity, we have undertaken a comprehensive curriculum rebranding initiative. This decision, fueled by ongoing feedback from the youth we serve, and guided by our internal Gender Taskforce, has unveiled our Radiant G Curriculum.  
 

What prompted Girls Empowerment Network to change the name of its self-efficacy curriculum? 

Girls Empowerment Network renamed its self-efficacy curriculum, formerly known as Girl Connect, to align more closely to our mission and be more inclusive of all youth eligible to participate. Girls Empowerment Network centers the experiences of girls in grades 3-12, and we welcome youth across the gender spectrum. Youth who identify as cis, trans, non-binary, and gender expansive are welcomed to participate. The name change was prompted by ongoing feedback from youth we serve.   

The Radiant G curriculum, as it is now called, will now be consistently reflected in all of the names of our signature programs and events. Our modularized, research-informed Radiant G Curriculum teaches girls in grades 3-12 our Seven Cs of Self-Efficacy, including collaboration, critical thinking, communication, coping skills, creativity, confidence and the recently added, changemaking.  

Why did Girls Empowerment Network change the name of its signature programs and events to begin with Radiant G? 

Girls Empowerment Network’s programs and events are based on the Radiant G Curriculum, which is designed to help youth form healthy relationships with peers and adults along with gaining skills to boost their self-efficacy, the inner belief they can be successful. Higher levels of self-efficacy are correlated with better mental health, fewer behavior referrals, better academic performance and improved school attendance. 

This name change signals to all youth that Girls Empowerment Network offers empowering, safe places and programs for all youth to connect with one another and learn how to ignite their own power. 

What does the Radiant G stand for? 

Radiant G stands for girls and gender expansive youth.

The selection of our curriculum's new name is inspired by our pictorial mark in the Girls Empowerment Network logo – the Radiant G. Radiant G shows the inner power that radiates from within every individual. Girls Empowerment Network ignites this internal power by building self-efficacy skills to last a lifetime. When youth believe in their own power, they become unstoppable.  

 The “G” also represents girls more generally from the Girls Empowerment Network name, though we are expanding that meaning to be more overtly inclusive of all youth, we center the experiences of girls in grades 3-12 including, including those who are cis, trans, non-binary, and gender expansive. 
 
Our curriculum and programs are proudly youth-informed, which means that we rely on regular feedback from youth we serve to ensure that we deliver our curriculum and services in ways that are culturally competent and relevant to today’s youth the issues they face.
 

What does the Radiant G look like? 

Are there any continuing programs or events whose names won’t be changing? 

Girls Empowerment Network and Excellence & Advancement Foundation collaborate on the Spark Change Project, whose mission is to center girls of color as leaders in advocacy who discover their activist voices and galvanize their peers to engage in their own passions for positive social change. The Spark Change Project, Spark Change Day, and Spark Change Camp names will remain the same. Joint branding will not change.  

Are there any programs that are discontinued? 

Girls Empowerment Network’s Pathfinder Leadership Summit for high school girls was discontinued in 2022 but may return in the future. Spark Kits, all-in-one girl power activity kits, and Virtual Workshops were discontinued in 2021 as the demand for in-person programming returned following the pandemic. Summer CAMP is currently on a pause and plans to return in 2025.

Is Girls Empowerment Network changing its logo or other branding? 

No. Girls Empowerment Network will retain the same logo and color scheme that our supporters and partners recognize. Radiant G is only being used with Girls Empowerment Network’s curriculum, signature programs and events for consistency purposes.