VCU, Girls For A Change Host “Girls, Unlimited” Book Talk on Investing in Girls’ Leadership
Girls For A Change and the VCU School of Social Work, in partnership with the Mary and Frances Youth Center in the VCU Division of Community Engagement, will host Girls, Unlimited Book Talk: 100 Books for 100 Girls, featuring award-winning author, scholar, and advocate Dr. Monique Couvson.
The event will center on Couvson’s new book, Girls, Unlimited: How to Invest in Our Daughters with More Than Money, and will bring together educators, caregivers, advocates, and community-engaged researchers committed to advancing the well-being, leadership, and future of girls.
Drawing on decades of research and lived experience, Dr. Couvson challenges audiences to rethink how society invests in girls—particularly those from historically underserved communities—and offers a powerful framework for nurturing girls’ potential through education, mentorship, emotional wellness, and equitable opportunities.
“Every girl deserves the opportunity to discover her voice and understand the power it holds. At Girls For A Change, we create spaces where girls are seen, heard, and prepared to lead in their lives and communities. The message of Girls, Unlimited reminds us that investing in girls is not only about resources—it is about mentorship, belief, and creating opportunities for them to speak, lead and shape a stronger future for us all.” — Angela Patton, CEO, Girls For A Change
The event reflects a shared commitment among community and university partners to strengthen collaboration in support of youth development and leadership in the Richmond community.
“Together, we recognized that our work must center on partnership, alignment, impact and co-creation as we invest in youth development and prepare the next generation of leaders. Hosting this Girls, Unlimited book talk reflects that shared commitment—bringing our organizations together to create spaces where girls are supported through education, mentorship and empowerment. Through this collaboration, we are strengthening pathways that uplift young voices and contribute to building thriving communities.”
— Verenda K. Cobbs, Senior Manager of Civic Innovation and Partnerships, VCU Division of Community Engagement
Event Details
Girls, Unlimited Book Talk: 100 Books for 100 Girls
Saturday, March 21, 2026
4:30–6:30 p.m.
Academic Learning Commons
1000 Floyd Ave., Richmond, VA 23220
Registration: https://forms.gle/36jtGtjXBiKNRfiT6
Virtual option available.
For more information about the event, contact Verenda K. Cobbs ([email protected])
About Dr. Monique Couvson
Monique Couvson, Ed.D. (formerly Monique W. Morris), is an award-winning author, scholar, and documentarian with more than three decades of experience in education, civil rights, juvenile and criminal justice, and philanthropy. Named by TIME as a racial justice “Closer” in 2025 and by The Root 100 as one of the nation’s most influential African Americans in 2022, Dr. Couvson is President and CEO of Grantmakers for Girls of Color (G4GC), a philanthropic intermediary dedicated to resourcing movements and organizations that center the wellbeing of girls and gender-expansive youth of color. She is the author of seven books, including Girls, Unlimited: How to Invest in Our Daughters with More Than Money and Charisma’s Turn. Dr. Couvson is also an executive producer and co-writer of the documentary film PUSHOUT: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools, based on her groundbreaking research.
Division of Community Engagement
community.vcu.edu
[email protected]