International Girls Academy to honor nine at annual fund-raising soiree

Organization aims to unite, uplift and empower girls through education, career development and community engagement

The International Girls Academy – an organization that aims to unite, uplift and empower girls through education, career development and community engagement — will honor eight women and one organization at its 21 Shades of Pink Dinner Soiree, March 15, 2025, at the Princeton Marriott.

The event of empowerment, celebration and fundraising, will honor a distinguished group of women who have made significant contributions to their communities and serve as inspiring role models for the next generation of leaders.

The honorees:

  • Jennifer Bucalo
  • Fatima Heyward
  • Rippi Karda
  • Cristal Lambert
  • Tennille McCoy
  • Jennifer Santiago
  • Anna Maria Tejada
  • Fatima Turner

The New Jersey STEM Pathways Network also will be honored.

The International Girls Academy offers a range of programs, including the Ujamaa Fellowship, Kuumba Media Fellowship, Ujima Business Fellowship, and the Nia Global Youth Academy. These programs are designed to prepare students for entry-level jobs, career development, internships, media production, and entrepreneurship, while also promoting global awareness and community service.

“Our mission is to create a positive and open-minded society by empowering girls to understand that they don’t need a seat at the table; they can create their own,” Board Chair Makeba Green said.

The proceeds from the event will be dedicated to supporting the International Girls Academy’s scholarship programs and various initiatives designed to empower young women.

Green said the group hopes to raise $100,000, which will be instrumental in providing scholarships, securing physical hubs for safe spaces, and funding career development and pipeline programs.

For more information on how to attend or sponsor the event, click here. Please note: All attendees are encouraged to wear pink.