Girl Talk, Inc. Named Bank of America’s 2023 Knoxville Neighborhood Champion

Nonprofit Will Receive $50,000 in Grant Support and Virtual Leadership Training to Advance Economic Mobility in Knoxville

Bank of America today announced Girl Talk, Inc. as the 2023 Neighborhood Champion® awardee for their work advancing economic mobility and building up underserved neighborhoods in Knoxville. Through this multi-year grant funding and leadership training for the nonprofits’ leadership, programs, and services addressing young female empowerment will be able to better serve its existing Girl Talk, Inc. members and can expand its programming and staff capacity.

As part of the bank’s Neighborhood Builders program, one of the largest philanthropic investments into nonprofit leadership development in the nation, Neighborhood Champions provides funding and leadership training to nonprofits that are advancing economic mobility and building up underserved neighborhoods.

Through the program, Girl Talk, Inc. will receive the opportunity to participate in virtual leadership training delivered by experts in the nonprofit sector on topics like human capital management, increasing financial sustainability and storytelling and a $50,000 grant over two years.

Girl Talk, Inc. is a champion in the Knoxville area for empowering girls to become their best selves while reducing the likelihood of teen pregnancy and championing them to advance educationally. This new grant funding will champion Girl Talk, Inc. leaders with opportunities to foster a culture of growth, development, empowerment, accountability, and strength. By growing existing leaders, it will allow Girl Talk, Inc. to grow its staff and expand its programming.

“Girl Talk, Inc. is blessed to be able to reach and serve so many girls within our community, but we have unfortunately reached our capacity in both programming and operational space. Our new partnership with Bank of America will allow us to construct a Girl Talk House, allowing us to move from serving 400 to 800 girls,” Girl Talk, Inc. Executive Director and Founder Denetria D. Moore said. “The Girl Talk House will also operate as a home for our programs and a place for our staff to grow and develop as leaders. Our community has needed the Girl Talk House for years, and now we can make it a reality.”

The invitation-only program is highly competitive, and nonprofits are selected by a committee comprised of community leaders and past awardees.

“Corporate and nonprofit partnerships are vital to solving social challenges, improving communities and promoting economic advancement,” said Terry Cline, president, Bank of America Knoxville. “Providing Girl Talk, Inc with flexible funding and leadership training not only positions them for sustainable, long-term success, but demonstrates our commitment to creating real change in the places where we live and work.”

Since 2004, Bank of America has invested more than $300 million in nearly 100 communities across the U.S., partnered with more than 1,600 nonprofits, and helped more than 3,000 nonprofit leaders strengthen their leadership skills through the Neighborhood Builders and Champions program.

Bank of America

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