A collaboration for change

Spark Change Project

Get the low down

Established in 2020, the Spark Change Project is a collaboration between the Excellence & Advancement Foundation and Girls Empowerment Network. Our 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.

How Do We Spark Change?

The Spark Change Project team hires high school-age Black and Brown girls and partners with them to develop a platform and agenda to testify to local policymakers and leaders about issues impacting their communities. Spark Change policy priorities have included girls’ mental health, safe and supportive school environments, equity issues, healthy relationships, and others.

Girls share their lived experiences and knowledge to facilitate discussions at Listening Sessions with their peers, City Council and/or School Board meetings.They are equipped with skills to become effective advocates in their communities, including engaging in training, research, storytelling, grassroots advocacy, and fundraising.

Spark Change Facilitator Applications are now CLOSED.
Stay tuned for our upcoming events to get involved!

*2021 & 2022 Spark Change Project Peer Facilitators came together at Spark Change Day 2022!*

Learn more

Apply to be a Spark Change Project Peer Facilitator!

Learn more about our upcoming events that are open to Texas girls in grades 6-12 who want to learn more about advocacy, activism and social justice. Dates subject to change. Join our Spark Change Project mailing list for the most current updates!

Spark Change Project Peer Facilitator Application

The Spark Change Project Peer Facilitator Application is now CLOSED. Stay tuned to meet the new cohort!

About the spark change project collaboration

The Spark Change Project is a collaboration between the Excellence & Advancement Foundation and Girls Empowerment Network, two nonprofits with complementary missions and a desire to help more girls of color find their activist voices and advocate for change in their communities.

Learn more about our Spark Change Project collaboration, join our mailing list, or make a donation.

Stay in touch!

Stories from our blog!

Featured

Girls & Youth in Grades 6-12 Invited to Attend 2023 Spark Change Day

Texas girls and youth in grades 6-12 are invited to attend Spark Change Day at the Texas Capitol on March 25, 2023 to learn more about advocacy, civic engagement and leadership.

Girl Advocates Team Up for 2022 Spark Change Day

The Annual Spark Change Day which took place at Hutson-Tillotston University. This was the second event this year held by the Spark Change Project, a partnership between the Exellence & Advancement Foundation and Girls Empowerment Network. The teenage Spark Change Facilitators led the attendees through training sessions on the topics of advocacy, activism and civic engagement.

Spark Change Day Returns to Texas Capitol, Empowers Girls and Youth Seeking Change Through Advocacy

Spark Change Day is a day-long advocacy event for Texas youth in grades 6 – 12 to learn about civic engagement and how they can raise their voices to bring about positive change for issues they care about. Jointly held by the Excellence & Advancement Foundation and Girls Empowerment Network, the in-person event will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2022, from 10am – 4pm at the Texas Capitol.

Relatable Role Models for Girls: Judge Lina Hidalgo

Relatable role models for girls can impact girls’ sense of belonging and success according to one study. Because Girls Empowerment Network is committed to helping all girls feel unstoppable, we invited the history-making Judge Lina Hidalgo of Harris County who served as a keynote speaker for Spark Change Day, a virtual advocacy day for girls across Texas.

“I learned that I am capable of many great things. My voice matters. ”

— 2021 Spark Change Day participant

A Partnership With the Excellence & Advancement Foundation and Girls Empowerment Network