Cinnamongirl Inc. Advocates for Education Through Film Screening of "Girl Rising"

By Renee Richard, founder of Cinnamongirl Inc.

Cinnamongirl Inc.,  (CGI) Bay Area non-profit mentoring program for girls ages 12-17 years old, partnered with 10X10 to bring a global movement to educate girls and home to the Bay Area with a screening of the dynamic film “Girl Rising."

The screening was held Sunday, April 28 at 5 p.m. at Regal Cinemas in Jack London Square, Oakland. 

More than 10 years ago, I founded Cinnamongirl, Inc. a 501 C (3) mentoring organization specifically aimed at providing girls with access, experiences and a network of professionals that empowers them to take charge of their lives and develop into successful leaders.  Our model of success is to encourage dialogue
and debate between our mentees and professional men and women in hopes that all engaged would grow and excel.   "Girl Rising" was the perfect opportunity to shed a light for educating girls around the world.

Directed by Academy Award-nominee Richard E. Robbins, "Girl Rising" was narrated by Cate Blanchett, Priyanka Chopra, Selena Gomez, Anne Hathaway, Salma Hayek, Alicia Keys, Chloë Moretz, Liam Neeson, Freida Pinto, Meryl Streep, and Kerry Washington, the movie is the centerpiece of 10x10 – a global campaign to educate and empower girls.

Cinnamongirl was created to specifically help young women reach their highest educational, personal and professional aspirations. We recognize the obstacles our girls will face as young women of color so our goal is to educate them—arming them with the tools they’ll need to develop into successful and powerful young women. By bringing ‘Girl Rising’ to the Bay Area, we’re providing our community an opportunity to see a film that demonstrates the importance of educating and mentoring girls and the positive impact it can have on families, communities and our world.

The event was sold out with over 200 people in attendence. It was an opportunity to not only see the film but was a call to action for the movie goers. Attendees were able to learn more about Cinnamongirl, an organization championing educating girls right here in the Bay Area.

If you're interested in learning more about Cinnamongirl or participating in the program, you're invited to attend the upcoming recruitment event on Thursday, May 9 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Metro Center Auditorium: 101 Eighth St., Oakland. Food and child care will be provided.