Lift Her Up Academy
Empower · Inspire · Transform
A 12-week empowerment program for young ladies ages 12-18, building confidence, skills, and leadership through mentorship and hands-on experiences.
12 Weeks
Summer Program
Tue & Thu
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Ages 12-18
Young Ladies

Our Graduates
Young women who completed the Lift Her Up Academy, ready to take on the world.
What She'll Learn
Our curriculum is designed to nurture the whole person. She'll begin with self-discovery and confidence building, learning to love herself because she is worthy. Through personal grooming and hair care sessions, she'll develop habits that reflect her inner beauty outward.
She'll gain practical skills in software basics and Canva project development, while time management, communication, and decision-making workshops prepare her to navigate life with intention. Our Money Moves Mastery sessions teach financial literacy that lasts a lifetime.
Career readiness comes through career exploration and mock interviews, while entrepreneurship training helps her brand herself and create her own lane. She'll learn healthy relationship skills, and discover joy in the kitchen with cooking and cake decorating workshops.
Through Beyond Bakersfield field trips, she'll see what's possible beyond her hometown, visiting college campuses and exploring new horizons. The journey culminates in a graduation ceremony celebrating her growth, achievements, and the young woman she's becoming.

I Am Her.
I am Confident
I am Capable
I am Worthy
I am Strong
I am Enough
I am Destined
I am The Future
Every young woman who completes our program walks away knowing her worth, speaking her truth, and ready to create her own future.
Hands-On Experiences
From creative workshops to life skills training, our young ladies learn by doing.

Dream Jacket

Hair Care
Money Moves Mastery

Mock Interviews

USC University

Santa Monica Beach

Cake Decorating

Cooking Class

Intel Museum

Branding Yourself

Self-Expression

Menstrual Health

Find Your Voice

Create Your Brand

Dream Jacket

Hair Care
Money Moves Mastery

Mock Interviews

USC University

Santa Monica Beach

Cake Decorating

Cooking Class

Intel Museum

Branding Yourself

Self-Expression

Menstrual Health

Find Your Voice

Create Your Brand
2026 Presenters
The amazing women who poured into our young ladies this year.

Cameron Reid
PresenterKelsey Jumique
Presenter
Stephanie Spotwood
Presenter
Juanita Caudle
Presenter
Yoshi Rogers
Presenter
Brushay Wandick
Presenter
Carrie Blind
Presenter
Shontay Smith
Presenter
Eliska Anderson
Presenter
Emily Phillips
Presenter
Michelle Chavez Richard
Presenter
Dess Perkins
Presenter
Chef Ashley Jones
Presenter
Regina "Kake" Walker
Presenter
Shar Cole
Presenter
Cameron Reid
PresenterKelsey Jumique
Presenter
Stephanie Spotwood
Presenter
Juanita Caudle
Presenter
Yoshi Rogers
Presenter
Brushay Wandick
Presenter
Carrie Blind
Presenter
Shontay Smith
Presenter
Eliska Anderson
Presenter
Emily Phillips
Presenter
Michelle Chavez Richard
Presenter
Dess Perkins
Presenter
Chef Ashley Jones
Presenter
Regina "Kake" Walker
Presenter
Shar Cole
Presenter
Building a Sisterhood
More than a program, it's a community of young women supporting each other, growing together, and lifting each other up.
Led With Heart
Our program is led by passionate mentors who are dedicated to helping young women discover their potential. With hands-on guidance and real-world experience, we're creating the next generation of confident leaders.
24
Sessions
12
Weeks
Young Ladies Ages 12-18
This is her moment to discover who she is, build real-world skills, and step into her future with confidence.
Applications open April 2027
Thank You to Our Sponsors
The Women's and Girls' Fund