MAWOCC
Intergenerational Leadership Academy – Girls of Color

The Intergenerational Leadership Academy (I.L.A.) is for women of color as well as girls of color in grades 9-12. Intergenerational Leadership Academy seeks to provide a safe and empowering space for women of color and girls of color to develop their leadership skills and build the confidence needed to combat systemic and structural racism. We are intentional in creating a Safe, Healthy Environment for Leadership Empowerment, Authentic Development, and Success. The academy will provide holistic leadership skills for women of color and girls of color who are more likely to experience marginalization, discrimination, and gendered and racial stress.

Intergenerational Leadership Academy (ILA) Girls of Color Program

Calling all Girls of Color in Worcester/Worcester County and Springfield, Massachusetts!

MAWOCC is excited to announce the 3rd Cohort of our Intergenerational Leadership Academy (ILA) – Girls of Color (GOC) Program, is now expanding to a second location in Springfield, MA.

Worcester:
This FREE, two-week leadership program for Worcester and Worcester County will run in Worcester during February and April school vacation weeks on February 16–20, 2026 and April 20–24, 2026.

Springfield:
This FREE program for Springfield and Hampden County, will be held at the UMass Amherst, Henry M. Thomas, III Springfield Center, 1500 Main St, Springfield, MA, during April 20th- 24th, 2026 school break, 9am – 4pm and is for girls of color in 9th – 12th grade from City of Springfield Schools. Building on the continued success of our established Worcester/Worcester County program, the new Springfield cohort will provide free transportation for participants.

MAWOCC’s ILA Girls of Color program is a FREE leadership development experience for high school girls of color in grades 9–12, designed to empower and equip participants with the skills, confidence, and support needed to become the next generation of Women of Color leaders.

The MAWOCC Intergenerational Leadership Academy provides a safe, supportive, and affirming environment where participants can develop leadership skills, build resilience, overcome systemic barriers, and address racial trauma. The program’s curriculum is grounded in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (S.T.E.A.M.), while also centering personal growth and community impact.

Participants who complete the program receive a stipend, and graduates become eligible for a college scholarship. At MAWOCC’s most recent Annual Meeting, we proudly awarded our first-ever ILA-GOC college scholarship, further affirming our commitment to investing in future leaders.
The Leadership Academy focuses on five key areas:

  • Personal development and leadership skills
  • S.T.E.A.M. careers and college aspirations
  • Health and wellness
  • Providing a safe and empowering space
  • Addressing racial trauma and healing

In addition to the two-week intensive, participants receive year-long mentorship from Women of Color leaders, fostering personal growth, inspiring career exploration, and supporting physical and mental well-being. ILA-GOC empowers girls of color to challenge systemic inequities, bridge generational gaps, and become impactful changemakers in their communities.

Don’t miss this life-changing opportunity to be part of a growing legacy of empowered Women of Color leaders across the Commonwealth.

I found out about the Intergenerational Leadership Academy through my school. I applied with high hopes of bettering my leadership skills — and that’s what we did today. Today is Friday of the first week, and I learned about core values and leadership skills. For the second week, I’m really looking forward to career exploration and learning how women and people of color in those fields can combat racism and sexism in different ways.

Shahina Al-Rahman, Senior at Worcester Academy
When I first heard about this program, I thought it was very interesting and that I would learn more about how to be a leader. I was very interested in it because it’s a program for women of color, so I knew I would be surrounded by people who understand my struggles and everything that I go through. When I came here, it exceeded all of my expectations. I’ve met some great people — they’re amazing. I’ve learned so, so, so much about myself, about how to become a better leader, about finances, and more. I’m expecting the session in April to be even better — even greater — because I’ve built my connections with these girls, so I’ll feel even more comfortable.
Zainab Mwangi, Senior at Worcester Academy

I heard about the Intergenerational Leadership Academy from my teacher. Going into this program, I was really excited to network with other girls who are interested in becoming leaders in their community and making a difference. This week, I learned about a lot of important topics, including financial literacy and how to manage my finances, addressing racial trauma, finding ways to heal our mental health, and also learned about how to become a leader and develop my own authentic leadership style. In the next week of the program, I hope to learn more about career in STEM and how to plan out my future better and also network with more women who are pursuing STEM, and also learn more about the girls that I met in this program.

Michelle Asare, Junior at Worcester Technical H.S.