It is widely known that large foundations give significantly more money to white-led non-profit groups than to non-profit groups led by people of color, no matter who they serve. In fact, one study shows that Black-led organizations serving Black people receive up to 91% fewer dollars from charitable foundations than white-led organizations focusing on the same work. Of the $24.2 billion given by the top 1000 largest charitable foundations in 2016, only 0.6% specifically targeted women of color. 

We’re working hard to change that dynamic, but until that change happens, we rely on your individual contributions for support. 85% of our funding comes from our amazing supporters. With your help—in whatever amount you can afford—we can give our girls the support and experiences that will inspire them to reach farther, dream bigger, and achieve more than they ever thought possible.

RSVP Now for Say Her Name: A Conversation with

Join us this Sunday, October 18 as two of our Cinnamongirls speak with Rev. Dr. Carolyn Maull McKinstry about her experience and perspective as a survivor and front line activist in the civil rights movement.

Dr. McKinstry witnessed the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in 1963, and was one of the students hosed by firefighters in the marches that followed. She survived another bombing of her own home in 1964. As an adult, she has spoken to groups around the world about her experience and about the hope of racial reconciliation.

Say Her Name: A Conversation with Rev. Dr. Carolyn McKinstry will take place on Sunday, October 18 at 3:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). This free event will be open to the public; we ask viewers to support us with a donation of any amount.

Critically acclaimed middle grade author Lisa Moore Ramée led our talented writing cohort participants in a two-hour master class entitled The 3D’s of Story: Dialogue, Description, and Drama. “Seeing a group of brown girls so ready to step up and put their creativity on the page was incredibly affirming,” Ramée said of her experience with the Cinnamongirls, adding that for Black and brown women in particular “it takes courage to value your voice when the world doesn’t seem ready for it.”

The Cinnamongirls were equally enthusiastic. “Lisa was a wonderful speaker,” according to Cinnamongirl writer Mackenzie. “We were all so intrigued by her presentation and her wisdom.” Another participant, Rownan, particularly enjoyed learning about how to “go deeper with dialogue . . . to really create who the players are.”

Ramée is the author of Something to Say and the award-winning A Good Kind of Trouble, both about Black girls finding their power and their voices. She has spoken and given writing workshops at schools and conferences around the country.

[Image credit: My white classmates told me black girls don’t read—I became a writer. HelloGiggles.com]

We are so excited to introduce a brand new cohort specifically for pre-teen Cinnamongirls who love to read. Under the direction of our very own Alondra Casey, a Cinnamongirl parent and Montessori teacher, the girls in our Passport Book Club read and discuss fantastic books featuring protagonists of color, written by women authors of color. Discussions are led by our college liaison Jayla Smith and Cinnamongirl Mentors Laila Butcher and Madison Harvey.

This month, the girls’ discussion of Lisa Moore Ramée’s A Good Kind of Trouble led to a conversation about being the only Black or brown girls in their school classrooms, and the pressure and isolation this position brings with it. We are proud and pleased to know that Passport Book Club is already providing our Cinnamongirls with the community and support that are so crucial to building strong, confident leaders.

*Statistics from U.S. Census Bureau 

This month, we’re recommending books for middle grade readers (ages 9-12). A Good Kind of Trouble and Under the Mesquite are our most recent Passport books, and we’ve been honored to have Rena Barron and Lisa Moore Ramée work with our Cinnamongirls on their writing!

Maya and the Rising Dark by Rena Barron is a wonderful contemporary fantasy novel (think Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series) with West African folklore at its center. Twelve-year-old Maya is the only one of her friends who can see werehyenas walking the streets at night, and her dreams are haunted by a man made of shadows. When her father goes missing, Maya finally learns the truth behind her visions: he is the guardian of the veil between the human world, the Orishas, and the Dark—where the Lord of Shadows is plotting to break through and destroy everything she loves.

Rena Barron is also the author of young adult fantasy novel Kingdom of Souls and its sequel, Reaper of Souls. Cinnamongirls was honored to have Ms. Barron lead a writers’ workshop in August.

Lisa Moore Ramée’s debut novel, A Good Kind of Trouble, follows the adventures of Shayla, a seventh grader who only wants to stay out of trouble and follow the rules. But shifting friendships, a boy who likes her, and kids telling her she’s not black enough (what?) make her wonder if the rules are changing—and if she can change with them. A Good Kind of Trouble is a Walter Dean Myers Honor book.

Something to Say is next month’s Passport Book Club read. It features eleven-year-old Jenae, an introvert who likes being invisible to her classmates. When new boy with “firey red hair” named Aubrey shows up at school, Jenae is surprised—and pleased—when against all odds, they become friends. When the two of them are assigned to debate the proposed name change of their school, Jenae knows she has to speak her mind. But in order to do so, she must conquer her fear of public speaking and risk losing the first and only friend she’s ever had.

Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall is a novel in verse about Lupita, the oldest of eight siblings in a Mexican American family and an aspiring poet and actress. When her mother is diagnosed with cancer and her parents go to stay at an out-of-town clinic, Lupita struggles to take care of her family even as she continues to deal with high school and friends who don’t "get it." Her only refuge is the time she spends writing under the shade of a mesquite tree; ultimately, she finds a way through the pain, fear, and chaos of her life.

We're inspiring girls everywhere to lead, mentor, and be the changemakers in the room. Won't you please consider a gift of any amount. 85% of our funding comes from our amazing supporters.

When shopping Amazon, use this LINK and Amazon will donate a percent of your purchases to Cinnamongirl Inc. It’s a donation you initiate and nothing comes out of your wallet.

Teachers, we need your help! As educators you cross paths with future Cinnamongirls every day and that is why we are reaching out to YOU!

You can help us identify prospective Cinnamongirls who could use a platform like Cinnamongirl to support their dreams, help them develop their voice & be the leaders they were born to be.