…inspires, empowers, and honors high school girls who stand out among their peers at local community-based organizations, including Wilson-Gray YMCA, YWCA Hartford Region, Boys and Girls Clubs, Hartford Youth Scholars, Urban League of Greater Hartford, Jack & Jil of America, Legacy Foundation, and Hartford’s Proud Drill, Drum and Dance Corps.
Following hours of empowering experiences in the Hartford Girls Rock! Leadership Institute, Kenya M. leads the 2018 class of Hartford Girls Rock! honorees into the culminating event and a ballroom of hundreds of supporters waiting to celebrate them.
We are committed to celebrating the excellence and visibility of Black and Brown girls, whose voices and achievements are too often overlooked. Through community engagement, we foster a strong sense of service and civic responsibility. Finaly, we create pathways to success by offering scholarship and mentorship opportunities, helping girls access higher education and build brighter futures.
The Institute is centered on these four foundational pillars aimed at developing a diverse range of leadership capabilities:
Hartford Girls Rock! Leadership Institute facilitators include: civic, corporate, and academic leaders headed by Monique Price, Wanda Broaden and Kimberly Monroe shown at the Connecticut Convention Center event in 2024.
Standing:
Hartford Girls Rock! 2025 honorees:
Alyssa – computer scientist awarded by Congress
Amu-Jizah – future lawyer
Destiny – scholar and mentor
Emani – diversity advocate
Hannah – historian of religions
Janae – future journalist on international issues
Makayla – high school junior taking college courses
Mackenzie – student at American Ballet Theatre
Madison – a scholar among scholars
Tiarra – future architect
Zaria – Microsoft student-mentor.
Seated:
Sunny Hostin
(Center) keynote speaker
Heather Cato and Latosha Johnson
Hartford Girls Rock! co-chairs (on each end)
Nyema Pinkney Cranford
President, Epsilon Omicron Omega Chapter
Carolyn Harris-Burney
FEO President
(Seated) Madison, Isabel, Savanna, and Laury are pictured with chapter president Josie Wright and Keynote Speaker Morgan Tuck of the Connecticut. Standing are Yasmin Blackburn and Dana McDonald, event co-chairs.
Ruth E. Carter, two-time Oscar winner for costume design, including for Black Panther, the movie, begins her chat with 2019 honorees.
Honorees and committee members pose with guest speaker Misty Copeland (standing left of center), the first African American principal dancer with the American Ballet Theater.
Honorees and committee members pose with guest speaker Misty Copeland (standing left of center), the first African American principal dancer with the American Ballet Theater.
Guest speaker Gabby Douglas, winner of three Olympic Gold Medals and the first African American gymnast to win an Olympic title, and honorees.
Committee members enjoy the second annual event with keynote speaker Kaya Thomas of Black Girls Rock.
The Foundation for Educational Opportunities, Incorporated in conjunction with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Epsilon Omicron Omega chapter in Hartford, CT presents its 11th Annual signature event, Hartford Girls Rock!. We will celebrate, inspire and honor the area’s best and brightest young ladies for their academic achievement, leadership potential and community service.
