Girls’ Public Speaking & Empowerment Initiative

People are often put on the spot in public and if not handled well the experience may leave one with an awkward feeling to say the least. This class  will help develop the skills and confidence needed to speak up and express thoughts and ideas in a public setting. This is important for girls who may not have as many opportunities to speak up and be heard, as they may face social or cultural barriers that limit their ability to speak up.

In this format, the students are provided with quotes, phrases, and words as a prompt and 3-5 minutes of prep time before they must make a speech. 

By learning how to give impromptu speeches, girls can learn how to think on their feet, communicate effectively under pressure, and speak with confidence and conviction. This can be valuable not only in public speaking situations, but also in a variety of other settings, such as in school, in the workplace, and in their personal lives. 

This workshop focuses on helping students apply their newly developed public speaking skills by presenting original business ideas in a realistic pitch setting. Participants work in teams to brainstorm, refine, and articulate their concepts, ultimately delivering pitches designed to mirror real-world presentations made to venture capitalists (VCs). By simulating the format of America’s Shark Tank, the workshop gives students a hands-on introduction to entrepreneurship, innovation, and persuasive communication. In addition to learning how to structure a compelling pitch, students gain confidence, enhance their critical thinking abilities, and experience the excitement of presenting ideas that could one day become real ventures.