Girls Can Dream Too

09/11/2026

We’re doing it again! 📚

This summer, Girls Can Dream Too launched our first Summer Reading Tour—and what started as four Saturdays around one great book became so much more.

We watched girls read aloud, talk about what they were reading, share their opinions, make new friendships and grow more confident using their voices. And when the four weeks ended, one of the biggest questions we heard from both girls and parents was: “What’s next?” Well… this is what’s next.

🍂 The GCDT Fall Reading Tour is coming to Pickering!

Four Saturdays. One great book. A space for girls to read, think, talk, connect and grow.

📍 Pickering Library — 1 Esplanade S
📅 Saturdays: October 3, 10, 17 & 24
⏰ 9:45 AM–12:15 PM
👧🏾 Girls ages 8–12
💛 Early Bird: $55 | Regular: $59
**Early Bird ends September 20.**
Spaces are limited.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS WANTED
We’re also inviting local businesses, organizations and community partners to help us make this Fall Reading Tour special.

Opportunities are available to sponsor books, refreshments, program materials, participant gifts or other program needs, as well as provide appropriate in-kind contributions.

If your business believes in youth literacy, representation and creating opportunities for girls in our community, we’d love to hear from you. 📩 [email protected]

Instagram: Girls Can Dream Too
Read. Lead. Dream Big.

BlackGirlsRead YouthLiteracy RepresentationMatters GirlsEmpowerment

09/05/2026

Hi 👋🏾 I'm Marsha Dixon the Founder of Girls Can Dream Too.

I created GCDT because I believe every girl deserves a safe place where she can learn, ask questions, try something new and be free to be as smart, curious, creative and ambitious as she really is.

What began with a desire to help girls build confidence and dream bigger is growing into so much more.

Through literacy programs, mentorship, leadership development and new experiences, we are creating spaces where girls feel seen, supported and reminded that their voices and ideas matter.

This summer, our Summer Reading Program showed me again why this work is so important. I watched girls read together, make new friends, speak confidently and discover books filled with characters who looked like them. But that was only the beginning.

We are building toward more programs, more partnerships and more opportunities for girls to discover who they are—and imagine everything they can become.

I’m Marsha, and I’m so proud to be the woman behind this vision. Welcome to Girls Can Dream Too. We’re just getting started. ❤️

Interested in volunteering with our organization?

Comment VOLUNTEER and I will send you more information. Keep Dreaming ✨️

YouthEmpowerment RepresentationMatters GirlsInLeadership DurhamRegion

09/02/2026

📚 Stories About Us introduces K.A. Dawkins (Kimberly Dawkins), author of GraciouSLE In Love: A Story of Growing Up With Lupus.

Inspired by her own childhood and her mother’s journey with lupus, this tender story follows two sisters as caregiving roles begin to change while the love within their family remains strong.

Some children’s stories do more than entertain. They help families name what they have lived through—and remind them that they are not alone.

K.A.’s encouragement comes through the heart of her story: "care is strength, family love is powerful and even difficult experiences can become stories that help someone else feel seen."

Connect with K.A. Dawkins:
📧 [email protected]
Instagram: Kimberly Dawkins

09/02/2026

09/01/2026

📚 Meet Venesse Lewis, an award-winning author, entrepreneur and founder of Niya’s Coily World. Her work empowers Black children to celebrate natural hair, build confidence and embrace what makes them unique.

Her featured book, Niya’s First Swim, follows a young girl determined to swim like a champion. With help from her brother, Niya learns how to care for her textured hair while confidently pursuing her dream. Perfect for ages 5–10.

Venesse’s encouragement to GCDT:

“I hope you learn early what many of us had to learn much later—that you never have to change who you are to belong.
Your voice matters.

Your ideas matter. Your curls, coils and the things that make you different are not something to hide—they’re part of your zest.

Keep asking questions, stay curious and don’t be afraid to do what you enjoy. The world needs exactly what only you can bring.”

Discover Niya’s Coily World: www.niyascoilyworld.ca
Contact: Niya's Coily World ®️