Black women have long shaped communities and culture through their leadership. At Girls on the Run, Black coaches bring that leadership to life by helping girls feel seen, supported, and capable of anything.
As poet Amanda Gorman reminds us in Girls on the Rise, “Being a girl takes a brave heart. Sometimes we might feel scared, lost, and in the dark. Some days it feels too hard to stand up on our own. But here’s the thing, when one girl stands up, she is never alone.”
That is what Girls on the Run coaches build: the courage to stand up, take up space, and keep going, even when it feels hard. A brave heart grows when girls have leaders who see them and believe in them. When young Black girls see powerful women leaders who look like them and understand their experiences, it strengthens their I Can! Power — the confidence to believe in themselves and do hard things.
This Black History Month, we’re honoring the impact of Black coaches across our community and the role they play in fostering belonging. Hear from three Girls on the Run coaches as they reflect on what it means to be a source of representation and encouragement for girls in their communities.
Coach Breanna
For Coach Breanna, Girls on the Run has always been more than an after-school program. It’s part of her story. Being a Black GOTR coach carries deep meaning, especially for the girls she mentors. She knows belief often begins with visibility. When a young Black girl sees someone who looks like her leading with confidence, her ability to dream grows even bigger.
As she shares, “It’s hard to believe that you can be something more if you’ve never seen someone who looks like you in that position. It’s also harder when no one tells you they believe in you and that you can be that.”
Through her leadership, Breanna hopes that young Black girls see her and recognize their own limitless potential. She believes visibility in leadership helps every girl understand that achievement and leadership are within their reach.
“I think representation really matters in organizations like Girls on the Run because it makes every girl, no matter what their ethnicity is, feel like they can achieve something higher than themselves,” she says. “It helps them to dream and to make goals and reach for the stars and maybe be something that they never thought they could be. I want all young Black girls to dream and reach for the stars and truly believe that they can be something.”
(Left) Coach Breanna is all smiles at GOTR practice! (Right top) Coach Breanna (second from right) poses with a group of fellow GOTR coaches. (Right bottom) Coach Breanna teaches her team about I Can! Power.
Coach Khalya
Throughout her 15 years of schooling, Coach Khalya had only a handful of Black female educators. Each left a lasting impression by serving as a source of representation and encouraging her to become comfortable with the uncomfortable.
“They are the educators who saw themselves in me and pushed me to never settle. To always be brave and take risks because those risks can change your life,” she says. “As an educator and coach, I bring everything from those experiences with me into work every single day. There is NO greater feeling than being that voice of motivation for the future generations.”
Now, she carries the responsibility of coach and educator with pride and intention. By showing up authentically, building connections, and reminding girls that they don’t need to strive for perfection to be powerful, she understands the power of representation and the impact it can have when a young girl sees someone who reflects their identity leading with confidence. She believes that stepping into spaces with confidence is essential for every girl, and that the “impossible is within reach and they can take it further.”
“It is an incredible blessing to be a Black woman,” she shares. “In any and every life do I wish to be a Black woman because there is nothing that compares — a feeling of joy that cannot be expressed with words or pictures.”
(Left) Coach Khayla is all smiles outside of practice. (Right top) Coach Khayla sits down to teach her team the GOTR lesson of the day. (Right bottom) Coach Khayla and her team pose ahead of their 5K Celebration!
Coach Tori
Coach Tori stepped into coaching GOTR because she saw a need at her school. She watched young girls struggle to navigate friendships and identity and wanted to support their emotional growth, confidence, and sense of self. By providing visible examples of strong, compassionate leaders, her presence reinforces a powerful truth: Girls deserve to see themselves reflected in those guiding them.
“I hope young girls of color understand that they are seen, they are heard, and they are understood,” she says. “I want them to know that they belong in every space they walk into and that their voices matter.”
One moment during a 5K Celebration captured that impact. After crossing the finish line, a participant’s Running Buddy ran to hug Coach Tori and said, “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, and my little sister encouraged me to never quit the entire time.” That ripple effect of confidence reminded her that empowered girls inspire others along the way.
When asked what she would tell a girl who is just beginning to find her voice, Coach Tori said, “I would tell her to ‘Be YOU.’ Don’t be afraid to be yourself, even if that means standing alone. It’s OK to be authentically you and to show the world who you truly are.”
(Left) Coach Tori and girls on her team smile after their 5K Celebration. (Right top) Coach Tori and participant hold up an inspiring “Believe in Yourself” sign. (Right bottom) Coach Tori and her GOTR team are all smiles on 5K day!
Black women’s leadership in our community changes what girls believe is possible. When girls see coaches who reflect their identities and experiences, they gain belief in themselves, strengthening their I Can! Power.
This Black History Month, we celebrate the Black coaches who bring I Can! Power to life through representation, leadership, and care. Their presence helps girls feel seen, valued, and empowered, not just during February, but every day.
Ready to make an impact in your community? Find your local council and get involved with Girls on the Run.
