Press Room

Oakland Tribune Covers Third Annual Ladies Tea

"Cinnamongirl, mentors host Ladies Tea"

Organization works to inspire, empower young women of color

By Anna Belle Peevey, CORRESPONDENT

OAKLAND

PLATES OF cucumber sandwiches, sliced cantaloupe and stacked biscotti graced the tables of the Bellevue Club on Sunday as nearly 100 Bay Area women of all ages came to dine and sip tea in the name of helping young girls and teenagers grow into confident, courageous women.

The Cinnamongirl organization, an Oakland-based mentoring program with a mission of empowering and inspiring young women of color, hosted their third annual Ladies Tea with speeches, spoken-word poetry and jazz.

Sunday's event ended a nine-month series of classes, seminars and workshops designed to give girls the opportunity to socialize, do community outreach and achieve their academic goals. This year's curriculum focused on physical, emotional and financial health.

"As this new generation grows up, with all the negative messages they're receiving, it takes a community to help our young girls," Cinnamongirl founder Renee Richard-Smith said.

Cinnamongirl Fundraiser a Huge Success!

Supporters of Cinnamongirl, Inc. attended our fundraiser Friday evening, July 21st at the home of Nikki and Brian Shaw (former NBA player).
Benefactors included San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, lobbyist Dion Aroner, Democratic Candidate for Assembly District 16 Sandré Swanson, and District 6 Oakland City Councilperson Desley Brooks.

Read the press release >

See photographs from the fundraiser >

Bowl-A-Thon Fundraiser

To secure funding for the 2006-2007 program year CGI will be holding a number of fundraisers, starting with a Bowl-a-thon on April 30th at Albany Bowl at 540 San Pablo Avenue. Sponsors can donate a flat rate to the organization or participate in the Bowl-a-thon. Cost of admission is $15 which includes shoes and two rounds of bowling. Please call 510 531-4740 to participate.

Read the press release >

Girls Dialogue with Positive Young Men about Love, Sex, Trust & Relationships

On February 25th, 2006, CGI will host “Boys, Boys, Boys,” a dialogue for the Cinnamongirls to open up their questions regarding boys, sex, love and relationships among themselves and then listen to a panel discussion of successful boys and men and how they view women, sex, love and relationships.

Read the press release >

Oakland Mentoring Program: Getting Girls to Look Introspectively, Get Clear and Dream Big!

Cinnamongirl, Inc. will hold its first retreat in Monterey Bay from November 11th -13th to give the girls a change of scenery and a chance to explore the program’s 2005-2006 themed question, “Who Am I?”.

The group of 22 girls and seven mentors will stay for three days at the Asilamar State Beach and Conference Grounds. Together they will participate in several individual and group activities designed to inspire them to think about their values, unique qualities, likes, and dislikes.

Read about the girls' experience >

Stanford University Hosts Oakland Girls on Campus

What would it be like for a girl living in East Oakland, where 80% of high school seniors do not qualify for college? Growing up in such an environment, would a girl ever have the dream of going to college? Moreover, would she even feel that she belongs in college?

Read the release >

Community Gathers to Raise over $13,000

CGI is proud to announce that over 100 guests came out to support the Grand Opening Silent Auction on Sunday, February 27, 2005 at Jack London Square’s latest addition-Stoneridge Gallery. Guests received a formal introduction to our unique mentoring program targeted specifically towards girls of color in East Oakland. Attendants included leaders in business, education and government, as well as families, friends, and other members of the broader Oakland and Bay Area community.

Introduction of Cinnamongirls

This was an exciting moment for our young participants. Prior to the event, the Cinnamongirls worked very hard to submit a statement on the importance of the CGI program.

Ecstatic about their introduction, they each arrived early to the gallery to help prepare for the silent auction. During the event, the Cinnamongirls served as greeters, registration attendants, coat-check representatives, and raffle ticket facilitators.

Cinnamongirl Estafany De Santiago recited her compelling poem “Dreams Can Come True” and won the affection of the guests instantly.

We would like to applaud our Cinnamongirls for their efforts and commitment to expanding their opportunities for success in their education, careers, and personal lives.

Silent Auction

This year’s first annual Silent Auction was a tremendous success generating net revenue of $13,000. Our guests chose from a diverse selection of 63 auction and raffle items, including restaurant gift certificates, hotel reservations, tennis lessons, spa packages and artwork. Renowned artist, Rosalind McGary, was on site to mingle with guests and to provide insight about her exquisite pieces that were on display. Prices ranged from $20-$900, with the majority of sales going for less than 30% of their retail value.

Special thanks to Derek Smith, Lisa & Chris Gruwell, and all of the community and business leaders who helped make this inaugural event a successful and memorable occasion. Thank you for your support of our vision. Also a special thanks to our largest benefactors, Drs. Damon & Marcia Mills and Ms. Vanessa Donaville.

Thank you to all who supported our Grand Opening & Silent Auction. With your continued efforts, our Cinnamongirls are growing into proud, confident, courageous women who achieve excellence in all facets of their lives.

Cinnamongirl, Inc. Launches Mentoring Program for Young Women in Oakland

Grand Opening & Silent Auction

Organization Develops Bold, Proud and Confident Women

Oakland, CA - January 21, 2005 - Destiny is 11 years old. She can light up a room with her smile. She is a good student with big dreams for her future. When she finishes college she wants to be a doctor. Destiny also lives in Oakland.

In Oakland there are 50,000 girls.* 40% live below the poverty line*, 26% experience abuse as young girls,** over 80% don't graduate from college,* and less than 10% hold professional careers.*

We have a choice.

On February 27, 2005, a community gathers to celebrate the grand opening of Cinnamongirl, Inc., an organization designed to allow Destiny to live beyond these dismal numbers and fulfill the promise of her name. Ignited by Renée Richard-Smith, CEO and founder, a group of highly successful women from the East Bay joined together to form Cinnamongirl Inc. to mentor girls in Oakland.

As a Cinnamongirl, Destiny and her counterparts will be supported by doctors, lawyers, educators, activists, and artists who believe in her. The Cinnamongirls will experience a world outside their community. Through college preparation workshops, career development seminars, and enrichment activities, such as visits to cultural festivals, museums and theaters, Cinnamongirl, Inc. empowers young women to take charge of their lives.

Richard-Smith and her collaborators know that “We are differentiated only by our experiences. As we expose our children to diverse leaders, art, culture and careers, we will help to inform their decisions and favorably impact their lives.”

Join in the mission to cultivate proud, confident, courageous women by participating in the Cinnamongirl, Inc Grand Opening & Silent Auction, February 27, 2005, 3-6pm at Stoneridge Gallery at Jack London Square. Your contribution will make it possible for Destiny to know that “the world is her playground.”

About Cinnamongirl, Inc.
Cinnamongirl, Inc. is a 501 C (3) mentoring organization for girls, ages 12-14 residing in Oakland, California. Cinnamongirl, Inc. serves to inspire and empower girls to realize their highest personal and professional aspirations.

The organization is accepting applications and is working with schools and community-based organizations to identify the young women that will benefit most significantly. Please contact us if you are interested in joining our organization.

All trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

   * US Census Data 2000
** Essence Magazine 2004 National Statistic

CGI Launches First Year

Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004
CGI welcomed the first cohort of Cinnamongirls and their parents to the program. Dr. Sharon Williams, Clinical Child Psychologist, lead the new Cinnamongirls through their first activity that invited participants to get to know one another. Simultaneously, Renée Richard-Smith, CGI director, gathered CGI parents for the First Annual Parent Forum during which they discussed the mission and goals for the year. Dr. Lisa Mills, Clinical Child Psychologist, lead a discussion on the importance of mentoring programs and the particular benefits to girls of color.

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