LEAD Program

Our girls leadership program is a structured, multi-session series for middle school girls ages 11 to 15.

Summer Fashion Camp

Girls learn to craft their designs, launch a fashion business, and rip the runway at Winston-Salem Fashion Week!

Girls Rising Expo

Girls and their parents/guardians gather for a fun-filled day of learning, sharing and future planning.

Sponsor LEAD

Your opportunity to help middle school girls build brighter futures.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LEAD

2023 LEAD Girls Expo

2024 LEAD Girls Rising Expo

Three days of inspiration, motivation and empowerment! 

WHEN:
October 24-26, 2024

Choose an Expo event below to learn more and register.

Thursday, October 24, 5:30pm-7pm
Community Conversation with Zaila Avant-garde
Learn more and register for this event

Friday, October 25, 5pm-8pm 
LEAD Girls Night In
Space is limited to 50 participants!
Learn more and register for this event

Saturday, October 26, 9am-3pm
Expo workshops and presentations
Learn more and register for this event

Registration is open.
Choose one or more events and sign up to attend! 

Get ready for the 6th annual LEAD Girls Rising Expo!

This year we will welcome 6th to 10th grade girls. We have confirmed special guest and New York Times Best-Selling Author, Zaila Avant-garde.

Zaila Avant-garde

Hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana, Avant-garde won the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee, making her the first African-American to win in almost 100 years of the competition. Along with competing in spelling bees for two years, Avant-garde holds two Guinness World Records for her basketball prowess. She holds the records for the most bounce juggles in one minute (four basketballs) and most basketballs dribbled simultaneously by one person (six basketballs). She was also named SportsKid of the Year 2021 by Sports Illustrated Kids.

More about Zaila →  

Buy Zaila’s books at Bookmarks →

Event:
Community Conversation with Zaila Avant-garde

Join LEAD Girls of NC for a special Community Conversation with Joy Nelson Thomas and Zaila Avant-garde!

WHEN:
Thursday, October 24, 5:30pm-7pm

WHERE:
Parkland High School
1600 Brewer Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27127

COST: Free. Registration and tickets required.

Registration is now open! Sign up to attend! 

Event:
LEAD Girls Night In

Join us for a pajama party with DIY self-care activities, a movie & popcorn & pizza party

WHEN:
Friday, October 25, 5pm-8pm

WHERE:
LEAD Girls HQ
1100 W. First Street
Winston-Salem, NC

COST: Free. Space is limited to 50 participants.

Registration is now open! Sign up to attend! 

Event:
Girls Rising Expo Workshops & Presentations

WHEN:
Saturday, October 26, 9am-3pm

Featuring:

  • Financial Wellness with experts from Allegacy Federal Credit Union
  • Physical Wellness with Nurse Practitioner Katina Little
  • STEAM Activities with Dr. Claire Crawford
  • Author Speaker Zaila Avante-Garde
  • Mental Health & Wellbeing with special guest TBA
  • Lunch & Networking with influential women leaders in our community; facilitated by Taryn Jarez

WHERE:
Forsyth Tech Community College
Strickland Center
Winston-Salem, NC

COST: $10.00

Registration is now open! Sign up to attend! 

Interested in sponsoring the Expo?

Email joy@leadgirls.org to learn more about available Expo sponsorships. 

Girls participating in our 2022 Girls Rising Expo.

Learn more about our Expo!

View past Expo materials and impact snapshots:

2023 Expo Booklet

2022 Expo Booklet

2022 Expo Impact

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2021 Expo Program & Agenda
(virtual event, no printed booklet)

2021 Impact Snapshot

Girls Leading the Way

Changemakers In the Making! 

The 2024 Girls Rising Expo will showcase the power of being seen, heard, respected and celebrated.

Thank you to Our Sponsors

The 2024 LEAD Girls Expo is generously supported by:

Pomegranate Research Consultancy  |  Mose’ Delaine Belton Insurance Agency

Thank you In-Kind

Jk Woodworked Creations  |  Clear Reflections  |  O’Brien’s Deli

Amanda Penn (Photographer)  |  SmartGirls  |  HQ CaptureBooth NC

Thank you to Our Partners

Join LEAD Girls--Enrollment is now open!Learn More →
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