One Summer. Around 20 Young Women. Countless Possibilities.
The Queen’s Academy 2026 Summer Program has officially come to a close, and our hearts are full.
What began as a vision to create a meaningful and empowering experience for young women in Houston became a summer filled with learning, laughter, mentorship, personal growth, and unforgettable memories.
Through this completely FREE summer program, approximately 20 teen girls had the opportunity to learn valuable real-world skills, connect with inspiring mentors, discover their strengths, and begin thinking more intentionally about their futures.
At The Queen’s Foundation, we believe that every young woman deserves access to opportunity, guidance, and a community that believes in her.
Queen’s Academy 2026 was created with exactly that purpose in mind.
And while the summer program may have ended, the journey for our Queens is only beginning.
More Than a Summer Program
Queen’s Academy was never designed to simply fill a few weeks of summer.
It was designed to give young women experiences and skills they can carry with them into school, college, careers, relationships, and their communities.
Throughout the program, our participants explored important topics including:
- Leadership Development
- Financial Literacy
- Fundraising
- Mental Wellness
- Self-Care and Self-Discovery
- Professional and Personal Etiquette
- Civic Engagement
- College Preparation
- Career Readiness
- Vision and Goal Setting
Each session encouraged our Queens to ask questions, think critically, discover new possibilities, and most importantly, believe in themselves.
For some, the program created new friendships. For others, it opened conversations about careers, college, leadership, and goals they had never considered before.
But for all of our participants, Queen’s Academy created something incredibly important: a space where they could learn, grow, and feel supported.
Investing in the Confidence of Houston’s Teen Girls
Queen’s Academy was never designed to simply fill a few weeks of summer.
It was designed to give young women experiences and skills they can carry with them into school, college, careers, relationships, and their communities.
Throughout the program, our participants explored important topics including:
- Leadership Development
- Financial Literacy
- Fundraising
- Mental Wellness
- Self-Care and Self-Discovery
- Professional and Personal Etiquette
- Civic Engagement
- College Preparation
- Career Readiness
- Vision and Goal Setting
Each session encouraged our Queens to ask questions, think critically, discover new possibilities, and most importantly, believe in themselves.
For some, the program created new friendships. For others, it opened conversations about careers, college, leadership, and goals they had never considered before.
But for all of our participants, Queen’s Academy created something incredibly important: a space where they could learn, grow, and feel supported.
Investing in the Confidence of Houston’s Teen Girls
Confidence can change the direction of a young person’s life.
When a young woman begins to understand her strengths, recognize her value, and believe that her voice matters, new possibilities begin to open.
Throughout Queen’s Academy 2026, we watched our participants grow more comfortable sharing their thoughts, asking questions, participating in conversations, and stepping outside of their comfort zones.
They learned that leadership is not about being the loudest person in the room.
Leadership is about having vision, making thoughtful decisions, supporting others, and having the courage to use your voice.
These are lessons that will continue long after the final day of the summer program.
Learning Real-Life Skills for a Brighter Future
One of the most important goals of Queen’s Academy is preparing young women for the real world.
Our participants explored practical skills that can help them make stronger decisions and prepare for the opportunities ahead.
From understanding the importance of financial literacy and fundraising to learning about professional etiquette, college preparation, careers, leadership, and civic engagement, each experience was designed to provide knowledge that students can use in everyday life.
Our Queens also had opportunities to learn from professionals and community leaders who generously shared their personal experiences, career journeys, and lessons.
Seeing successful professionals who have faced challenges, pursued their goals, and created meaningful careers gave our participants something powerful: real-life examples of what is possible.
Honoring Our Incredible Guest Speakers
The success of Queen’s Academy 2026 would not have been possible without the generous professionals and leaders who gave their time to inspire and mentor our young women.
We are deeply grateful to every guest speaker who shared their knowledge, experience, and personal journey with our Queens.
Stephanie Tsuru — Leadership, Community, and Empowering Women
We are honored to thank Stephanie Tsuru, Co-Founder of SheSpace, for being part of the Queen’s Academy 2026 Summer Program.
As a leader dedicated to creating spaces where women can connect, grow, and thrive, Stephanie brought valuable insight and encouragement to our young women. Her presence reminded our Queens of the importance of community, confidence, leadership, and believing in the possibilities ahead.
We are grateful for Stephanie’s time, support, and willingness to share her experience with the next generation of young women.
Her contribution to Queen’s Academy 2026 reflects the power of women leaders investing in and inspiring future women leaders.
Kristin Douglas — Entrepreneurship and Inspiration
We thank Kristin Douglas, Founder of LeJé Aesthetics, for sharing her entrepreneurial journey and encouraging our young women to believe in their ideas and possibilities.
Her story reminded our participants that building something meaningful often begins with confidence, vision, and the courage to take the first step.
Ciara Sunny — Creativity and Community
A special thank you to Ciara Sunny, whose work as a creator and community advocate brought a valuable perspective to our Queens.
Her message encouraged young women to embrace their voices, creativity, and ability to make an impact in their communities.
Dr. David McDonald — Education, Growth, and Possibility
We are grateful to Dr. David McDonald for sharing his professional journey and encouraging our participants to think about education, careers, and the opportunities available to them.
His experience offered valuable insight into the importance of preparation, perseverance, and continuing to pursue your goals.
Margo Jordan — Leadership and Mental Wellness
Thank you to Margo Jordan, Founder and CEO of Enrichly, for sharing meaningful guidance with our Queens during our Leadership and Mental Wellness programming.
Her presence reminded our participants that strong leadership also includes self-awareness, personal growth, and taking care of their mental well-being.
Brittney Davis — Creativity and Entrepreneurship
We sincerely thank Brittney Davis, entrepreneur, event strategist, and Founder of Beyond the Celebration.
Her journey encouraged our participants to embrace creativity, think like entrepreneurs, and recognize that their ideas can become meaningful opportunities.
Monica — Engineering, Mentorship, and College & Career Readiness
A heartfelt thank you to Monica, an engineer and mentor who shared valuable guidance on college preparation, career opportunities, and planning for the future.
Her real-world experience allowed our Queens to learn from a woman who has built a successful career while remaining committed to mentoring the next generation.
Edward Pollard — Civic Engagement and Using Your Voice
We are honored to thank Houston City Council Member Edward Pollard, District J, for joining our Queens’ Academy participants.
His conversation on civic engagement, voting, activism, and the importance of having a voice gave our young women an opportunity to understand how leadership can create change.
Our Queens even experienced civic engagement in action through their own Queen’s Academy Presidential Race—developing platforms, giving campaign speeches, and casting ballots.
Erica Candley — Leadership and Mental Wellness
We are also grateful to Erica Candley for sharing her insight and encouragement during our Leadership and Mental Wellness programming.
Her contribution helped reinforce an important message for our young women: leadership begins from within, and taking care of yourself is an important part of becoming the person you want to be.
To every speaker who stood in front of our Queens, shared their story, answered questions, and gave their time—thank you.
Your words may have lasted for one session, but their impact can last much longer.
Thank You to Our Incredible Sponsors
Community programs do not happen alone.
They happen because people and organizations choose to invest in young people and believe that creating opportunities today can help shape stronger communities tomorrow.
The Queen’s Foundation is incredibly grateful to the sponsors who helped make Queen’s Academy 2026 possible.
Thank You, SheSpace
A heartfelt thank you to SheSpace for providing a welcoming and inspiring environment for our young women.
The space became a place where our Queens could learn, connect, share ideas, and grow together.
Providing young people with access to positive spaces matters, and we are grateful to SheSpace for opening its doors and being part of this journey.
Thank You, Trill Burgers
We also extend our sincere appreciation to Trill Burgers for supporting Queen’s Academy 2026.
Your generosity helped us create an enjoyable and welcoming experience for our participants throughout the program.
Thank you for believing in Houston’s young people and being part of a summer focused on growth, learning, and opportunity.
Thank You, Beefit Foods
A special thank you to Beefit Foods, our valued food sponsor.
Your support helped nourish our participants throughout their Queen’s Academy journey.
Every meal represented more than food—it represented a community that cared enough to invest in these young women and their experience.
Thank you for helping fuel days filled with learning, leadership, and personal growth.
A Closing Celebration to Remember
Every meaningful journey deserves a moment of celebration.
To close Queen’s Academy 2026, our participants came together for a special Closing Celebration and Group Outing, enjoying a Houston soccer experience filled with excitement, laughter, teamwork, and unforgettable memories.
It was a beautiful opportunity for our Queens to simply enjoy being together and celebrate everything they had accomplished throughout the summer.
After weeks of learning, growing, asking questions, meeting mentors, and stepping outside their comfort zones, our young women deserved a moment to celebrate themselves.
And that is exactly what they did.
The Graduation Ceremony: Celebrating Every Queen
One of the most emotional moments of Queen’s Academy 2026 was our Graduation Ceremony.
Each participant received a graduation certificate from our Executive Director, Chekesha Johnson, marking the successful completion of the program.
But the certificates represented much more than attendance.
They represented growth.
They represented courage.
They represented new knowledge, new relationships, and new confidence.
Watching each young woman receive her certificate was a powerful reminder of why programs like Queen’s Academy matter.
When we give young people opportunities, guidance, and support, we give them space to discover what they can become.
The Journey Does Not End Here
Queen’s Academy 2026 may be over, but we do not see this as the end of the story.
We look forward to following the journeys of our Queens as they continue through school, prepare for college, explore careers, pursue their goals, and grow into the leaders they are becoming.
The Queen’s Foundation will continue celebrating their progress and sharing the impact of Queen’s Academy with our community.
Because success is not always something that happens overnight.
Sometimes, it begins with one conversation.
One mentor.
One opportunity.
One person saying, “I believe in you.”
We Are Always With Houston Girls
The Queen’s Foundation remains committed to empowering young women and creating meaningful opportunities throughout the Houston community.
Our work is built on the belief that when young women have access to education, mentorship, resources, and supportive communities, they are better prepared to build the futures they imagine.
The approximately 20 young women who participated in Queen’s Academy 2026 show what can happen when a community chooses to invest in its future.
To our Queens:
Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep leading.
Your voices matter.
Your dreams matter.
And your future is full of possibilities.
Partner With The Queen’s Foundation
Programs like Queen’s Academy are made stronger through community support.
We invite businesses, organizations, community leaders, mentors, and supporters who believe in empowering Houston’s young women to join us.
Together, we can create more opportunities, reach more young people, and build a stronger Houston community.
Want to help make a difference? Partner with The Queen’s Foundation and be part of the next chapter.
Because when we invest in young women, we invest in the future of Houston.