We're Celebrating 15 Years of Ladies of Virtue!

For 15 years, Ladies of Virtue has walked alongside Black girls as they grow in confidence, purpose, and leadership.

In 2026, we’re celebrating that legacy and boldly declaring this as The Year of Virtue.
This year is our declaration that strong leadership starts with strong character, and that Black girls deserve to grow up knowing they are seen, supported, and worthy.

Explore The Year of Virtue

The Leading Mentoring & Leadership Program for Black Girls in Chicago

For more than 14 years, we’ve led the charge in empowering Black girls in some of Chicago’s most underserved communities on their journeys to becoming confident, purpose-driven leaders through character development, career readiness, and civic engagement.

We are the only organization offering our unique community-based model that integrates culture, one-on-one and group mentoring, leadership development, and mental health support specifically for the needs of Black girls.

Committed to educational advancement, in 2025, 100% of our girls have been accepted into 4-year colleges and universities and 94% of our girls are placed in summer employment compared to 14% of African American teens who have been employed.

Even greater, our impact extends beyond their high-school graduation. We mentor and support our alumni for six additional years to further their development and success.

Through the support of our Board of Directors, staff, volunteers and community, we’ve been recognized by The Obama Foundation, The University of Chicago, The Chicago Innovation Awards - Top 100, Project Management Institute, and many others.

Click here to learn more

Our Stories

Layla, From Woodlawn

"The efforts of the mentors to understand their mentees and provide an outlet for expression have not gone unnoticed."

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Madison, From Englewood

"Ladies of Virtue has impacted my life because I was given a group of women and girls, that look like me, to look up to and lean on. No matter what I'm going through academically, personally, or emotionally, everywhere I turn there is love and guidance'".

Kayla, From Park Forest

"As a first generation college student, I was lost and confused about how to continue my education after high school, but the mentors at Ladies of Virtue helped me with my college applications, scholarships, and my personal statements. With their support I was able to attend a 4 year university'".