LEAD GIRLS of NC Inc.

06/19/2026

Juneteenth reminds us that freedom is fought for, celebrated, and passed down 🖤❤️💚 At LEAD, many of the girls we serve are carrying forward the legacy of their ancestors who fought for freedom. They are resilient, brilliant, and destined to lead.

This Juneteenth, we have a few LEAD Girls who are participating in the Queen Juneteenth Pageant at Atkins High School tonight. Throughout the process, LEAD Girls have become close friends and supporters, helping one another along the way. We could not be more excited to see these exemplary young women participate tonight!

Happy Juneteenth from all of us at LEAD Girls of NC 💕

06/16/2026

Board of Directors Highlight ⭐ Meet Fanetta Bryant Jones

Fanetta is a Master’s-prepared nurse with 30 years of experience currently serving with the Veterans Affairs health system. A devoted wife and proud mother of two, Fanetta has seen firsthand the power of mentorship and youth development as her daughter joined LEAD as a 7th grader and remained actively involved even as our 2023 Summer Fellow while in college.

Fanetta is deeply committed to nurturing young people, especially girls, believing that when we empower them, they grow into confident leaders who will one day run the world. She lives by the philosophy of service and community: “I believe what we put into our children is what we get out of them. I enjoy helping others and giving back what has been given to me.”

Thank you, Fanetta, for your dedication and service to LEAD Girls of NC!

06/13/2026

Our 2025 Impact Report was recently published! Here's a snapshot of what's inside 📸

Over the past year, LEAD Girls of NC worked to expand the number of girls we served, dedicate thousands of hours of service, provide hundreds of books to girls, expand access to feminine products, and so much more.

If you think these numbers showcase a BIG impact, just wait until you read the full report. Read it here ➡️https://www.leadgirls.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeadGirlsNC-Impact-Report-2025-Digital.pdf

06/12/2026

LEAD Girls Summer Pop-Up sessions are happening NOW and you can sign up any time as long as slots are available 🩷 These summer pop-ups bring elements of our LEAD Girls curriculum to summer break. Each day, girls will engage in hands-on activities and lessons facilitated by our expert team.

Click here to sign up now ➡️ https://loom.ly/X7QOGus

06/09/2026

Summer pop-ups are HERE! Today is the first of a series of six dynamic, four-hour pop-ups that continue our work of fostering leadership skills and building girls' confidence over the summer.

➡️ So what do girls learn at our summer pop-up sessions? Each week, we'll be sharing some insights into girls' learning with you here on social media!

With topics ranging from mental health to communication skills, this summer is going to be full of opportunities for our girls to learn and grow 🌿

06/08/2026

Help us give a warm welcome to our new LEAD Girls Program Coordinator Nadiya Debnam 🩷 🎉

Nadiya holds a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership in the Public Sector from North Carolina State & University. She is passionate about youth development, community engagement, and empowering the next generation of leaders. Through her volunteer leadership with Top Teens of America and Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., she has dedicated her time to mentoring youth, serving the community, and creating opportunities for young people to grow in confidence and leadership.

Nadiya believes that every girl deserves access to positive role models, meaningful experiences, and a supportive community that encourages her to reach her full potential. She is excited to be part of the LEAD Girls team and support its mission of developing strong, confident, and purpose driven young women. Outside of her professional and volunteer work, Nadiya enjoys fashion, traveling, spending time with family, and creating memorable experiences!

06/03/2026

Meet LEAD Girl and one of Forsyth Woman and Forsyth Family Magazines's Exceptional Young Women, D’Khariyah Patterson-Stevenson ☀️ Every month, Forsyth Woman Magazine spotlights young women in our community, and LEAD Girl of the Year D’Khariyah Patterson-Stevenson was one of the girls they chose to spotlight.

Here's an excerpt from the article: "When asked about what advice she would give fellow young women, D’Khariyah believes her peers can stand up for themselves and be their own leaders. She would like to encourage her peers to never let anyone get them down and to keep pushing through tough times. She looks forward to what her future holds, with her friends and LEAD team members expecting a promising path ahead for her."

Read more about D’Khariyah's journey here ➡️

photos by: JODIE BRIM CREATIVE Spotlighting successful and stand-out women in the community is important to Forsyth Woman. With the help of LEAD Girls of NC, the Exceptional Young Women in the Community column helps spread the word about local youth and their positive impact on the world around them...

06/02/2026

It's finally here! The 2025 LEAD Girls Impact Report is historic, highlighting 10 years of growth for our organization that has reached thousands of girls over the past decade. As a data-driven organization, LEAD Girls is committed to following the numbers and prioritizing research to create the best programs and outcomes for our girls.

In reflecting on her 10 years of service in the opening letter, LEAD Girls Executive Director Joy Nelson Thomas affirmed: "From day one, I have focused on being a good steward of every dollar, ensuring that our work is intentional, grounded in an evidence-based curriculum, and thoughtfully designed to make a real, measurable impact."

We can't wait for you to explore the impact that our team has created for girls in our community, thanks to your support. Read the full report and learn about our impact here ➡️https://www.leadgirls.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeadGirlsNC-Impact-Report-2025-Digital.pdf