Arts & Entertainment
Chicago Day of the Girl Event Aims to Empower Through Mentorship, Storytelling
Participants at Chicago Day of the Girl on Oct. 11, 2025. (Shelby Hawkins / WTTW News)
Dozens of young women and girls from across the city filled the Kehrein Center for the Arts on Saturday as they gathered for the 14th annual Chicago Day of the Girl to celebrate the creativity, confidence and sisterhood fostered by the Girls Like Me Project.
Founded by LaKeisha Gray-Sewell, Girls Like Me aims to empower young Black girls and women through mentorship and storytelling — with a particular emphasis on media literacy.
The West Side auditorium buzzed with girls in bright yellow T-shirts, spanning in age from 11 to 18. Among the participants was recent high school grad Nevaeh Harris who’s been in the organization for about three years.
“Oftentimes in the Black community there’s a stereotype that Black girls are against each other,” said Harris. “But this program has taught us that we can stick together. We can all be the blueprint together.”
Harris joined the program alongside her cousin, 17-year-old Aviana Irby, who described the event as “freeing,” exuding a type of liberation that’s felt when “we’re able to walk in unapologetic for being ourselves.”
The event featured live podcast tapings, dance performances and interactive sessions focused on activism, digital media and creative expression. In one workshop, girls wrote affirmations and future goals on colorful murals — a favorite activity for Erby and Harris.
“Having all of these opportunities is just amazing,” said Harris “It’s just so good to have those types of skills under your belt because it will literally help us into our big girl careers and the future.”
