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