Reflections from Cinnamongirl President, Gabriella Woods

As I reflect on the last three years with Cinnamongirl—growing my business with Entrepreneurgirl, taking a life-changing trip to Japan with Travelgirl, writing a story that is now published in I Am the Legacy with Write Your Story, and co-leading two years of Passport Book Club—I am so proud of everything I’ve learned and the person that I have become.

I remember walking into my first Cinnamongirl session carrying the weight of other people's expectations and doubts about who I should be. I was caught between worlds—not feeling "Black enough" in some spaces, not feeling "Latina enough" in others, and constantly second-guessing whether my ambitions were "too much" for others to handle. I was searching for permission to be exactly who I was, unapologetically.

The message I would share with that version of myself is this: "Stop shrinking yourself to make others comfortable. Your mixed heritage isn't a complication to figure out—it's a beautiful complexity that the world needs. Your big dreams aren't too much; they're exactly enough. And that determination to change things? That's God working through you. Trust it."

I would tell her that the very characteristics she's questioning—her boldness, her refusal to fit into categories, her determination to speak up for what's right—will become her greatest strengths. That the discomfort others feel around her confidence says nothing about her worth and everything about their own limitations. Most importantly, I would tell her that she doesn't need anyone's permission to be extraordinary.

At Cinnamongirl, I discovered that my mixed Black and Latina heritage isn't something to navigate around—it's a superpower that allows me to bridge communities and bring multifaceted solutions to complex problems. I learned to see my cultural duality as an asset in business settings, understanding that diverse perspectives drive innovation and create more inclusive pathways to success.

Cinnamongirl taught me that my voice isn't just valid—it's necessary. In a world that often tries to diminish young women of color, I learned to stand firmly in my truth and speak with conviction, even when my perspectives challenge the status quo. This foundation of self-worth, rooted in my faith in God, is what I'm bringing to Howard's business program.

Most importantly, I'm bringing the understanding that true success means creating ladders for others to climb. Cinnamongirl showed me that leadership isn't about individual achievement; it's about using your platform to amplify voices that have been silenced and opening doors that have been closed. I'm entering Howard not just to build my own empire, but to ensure that other Black and brown girls see themselves reflected in boardrooms and entrepreneurial spaces.

Cinnamongirl fundamentally shifted my understanding of what leadership looks like. Before, I thought leadership meant being the loudest voice in the room or having all the answers. Through Cinnamongirl, I learned that authentic leadership starts with vulnerability—being willing to share your struggles so others know they're not alone in theirs.

The program taught me that my leadership style doesn't have to mirror what I see in traditional corporate spaces. Instead, I can lead with empathy, faith, and a deep commitment to community uplift. I learned to see leadership as a form of service—using whatever platform or influence I have to create opportunities for girls who look like me.

Cinnamongirl also showed me the power of intersectional leadership. As a mixed-race woman, I understand what it feels like to exist in multiple worlds simultaneously. This experience has made me a more inclusive leader who sees the nuances in people's stories and creates space for all parts of their identity to be celebrated. I now approach leadership with the understanding that when we lift up the most marginalized voices, everyone rises.

I wish the world knew that girls like me—mixed-race, ambitious, faith-driven young women of color, We are the rule, not the exception. Our success doesn't come despite our backgrounds; it comes because of the strength, resilience, and unique perspectives our experiences have given us.

I wish people understood that when we speak up, we're not being "aggressive" or "difficult"—we're being leaders. We've been taught to navigate multiple worlds from a young age, which has given us exceptional emotional intelligence, adaptability, and problem-solving skills that are invaluable in any setting.

The world needs to know that our dreams are not limited by the boxes others try to put us in. We're not just future employees; we're future CEOs, entrepreneurs, and innovators who will reshape industries. We don't want to just have a seat at the table—we want to build new tables where everyone has a place.

I wish the world knew that our faith isn't a weakness or something that holds us back; it's the foundation that allows us to dream bigger and persevere through challenges that would break others. Our spirituality gives us a sense of purpose that goes beyond personal success—it drives us to create change that will impact generations.

Most importantly, I want the world to know that we're not in competition with each other or with anyone else. Our success creates more opportunities for everyone. We understand that when one of us wins, we all win, and we're committed to pulling each other forward. We're not just the future—we're the present, and we're ready to lead with both grace and power.

With deep gratitude and excitement for the journey ahead,

Gabriella Woods

Cinnamongirl President

A Day in Sydney

A Day in Sydney

By Cinnamongirl Mariah

To commence our last full day in Sydney before heading to Cairns the cohort started the day by branching off: Everyone could do what they preferred. Some of us went to the mall to take advantage of great deals, while others, including me, went to the Museum of Contemporary Art. 

At this time, the Museum had only one floor open which provided us with ample time to look at all of the unique and colorful pieces without feeling rushed. Memorable works included a cartoon series by Joseph Selleny, images of the Hazara people by Khadim Ali, and oysters by Megan Cope. My personal favorite was a wall where every country was depicted as a room in a floor plan with all of the doors propped open, symbolizing the internationalism countries should adopt. 

After we soaked in all of the wonderful sights, we went to a local cafe and walked around the city. We tried the local version of hot chocolate and common pastries to see what Australians enjoy on a Sunday morning. My favorite was an apple crumble sprinkled with sugar even though it was devoid of the cinnamon I was accustomed to in American apple pastries. Another thing we noticed while walking around was that every alleyway was safe and smelled pleasantly inviting. Even on a chill day, many of the residents still donned chic clothes and designer handbags, as they walked the streets.

After returning from the Westfield mall or the museum, the cohort reconvened to walk to the Central Railway Station. The station looked like a building that could be in London. The train ride to Featherdale Wildlife Park, in the City of Blacktown, about 20 miles outside Sydney’s city center, was extremely smooth and we enjoyed playing games and laughing. 

Once we arrived at the Featherdale Wildlife Park we were all amazed at the freedom of the animals as they roamed right next to the visitors. It was nerve-racking to walk right next to kangaroos as they hopped around, especially with the fear in the back of my head that I would get kicked thanks to Instagram. After seeing parents feel comfortable letting their young children explore without restraint, I adopted the same trust with the calm animals. Luckily they did have a safe space within a fence where they could have a break and enjoy some lunch. Australian birds also appeared to be fearless as they flew around and went into the cages of every other animal in the park, including one of the deadliest birds in the world. The terrain consisted of mulch, trees, and grass in some areas for the animals to munch on. Each girl was given a passport and was able to check off the animals they saw with the stamps provided along the way. Many posed for pictures with kangaroos and a professional photo was taken with a koala. Both animals were extremely calm and remained relaxed even with all the people and traffic around them; this included them continuously being chased by children. 

We explored more and found wallabies, cassowaries, baby penguins, crocodiles, emus, tree kangaroos, and dingoes among other birds. On the way out souvenirs were purchased to document the experience and we went back to the station. While waiting in Blacktown for the whole group to arrive, we met three Black Australian girls who expressed interest in seeing Cinnamongirl expand to Australia! We exchanged information and promised to keep them informed of any future Cinnamongirl plans. After we arrived back at our hotel we enjoyed some quality time with one another and headed to sleep to prepare for our next flight. 

A common theme we’ve noticed in Australia was the amount of attention we attracted from others. It usually involved constant stares but one man on the train vocalized his surprise. “I’ve never seen so many of them in one place,” he explained as he was walking by. While he most likely meant well, that did not stop an awkward silence from descending over us for a few seconds. Regardless of those rare incidents, many Australians have been extremely welcoming and even complimented our intricate braided hairstyles. They appear to be more hospitable than Americans as a whole and it encouraged many of us to consider acting the same once we return home and notice tourists visiting California. This experience has been amazing so far and we are all excited to see what awaits us in Cairns, Queensland.