Kayla was bullied every day in middle school, but after finding Girls Inc., she learned that many bullies are insecure themselves

“Girls Inc. helped me realize that my bully is a human being

who hurt me because of her wounds.” Kayla also learned to stand up for herself. Years later, she walked up to her former bully, introduced herself, and embraced her with kindness. Kayla also says that experience also helped her extreme fear of public speaking.

In middle school, she was paralyzed with fear when she raised her hand in class. After learning how to do public speaking at Girls Inc., Kayla re-started her school’s Speech and Debate Club and became its president for two years.

When Kayla saw another shy girl at the Club, she tutored her, and that girl won the championship.

Kayla’s dream is to earn a Ph. D. in history and to highlight the histories of people of color who have often been erased from our textbooks. Stay tuned as we find out which college Kayla will chose for the fall.