More than 200 supporters gathered at the Santa Barbara Club on June 4 for Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara’s Bold Futures Brunch, raising $160,138 to help ensure local girls can access the mentorship, opportunities, and support they need to thrive.
As the organization’s only major fundraising event of the year, the brunch brought together community leaders and advocates for a morning focused on mentorship, leadership, and creating opportunities for the next generation of girls, organizers said.
The event’s proceeds will benefit Girls Inc.’s Equitable Access Fund, which helps remove financial barriers to participation in programs serving more than 1,000 girls across Santa Barbara County each year.
The program featured a conversation moderated by Kristin Flickinger, who invited this year’s Strong, Smart, and Bold honorees to talk about the mentors who shaped them; the lessons they have learned and carried throughout their careers; and the ways young people continue to influence their leadership today.
Honoree Daina Ramey Berry, Michael Douglas Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts at UC Santa Barbara and a nationally recognized scholar of Black women’s history, said she draws inspiration from the resilience of women whose contributions have often been overlooked.
Mona Miyasato, Santa Barbara County executive officer, and one of California’s longest-serving county executives, shared a childhood story that demonstrated the curiosity that has guided her public service career.
Michelle Apodaca, a Santa Barbara native who leads corporate responsibility and philanthropy efforts at Deckers Brands, spoke about the confidence and perseverance instilled by her mother. Apodaca urged attendees to consider how they can help create opportunity and address poverty in the community.
Girls Inc. Board Chair Melissa Guillen spoke about the importance of serving as mentors, role models, and leaders for girls.
“Girls are looking for possibilities,” she said. “They are looking for examples of resilience, authenticity, courage, compassion, and people who continue showing up even when life feels difficult.
“They also need to see women leading, creating change, and navigating challenges.”
A paddle raise supporting the Equitable Access Fund, bolstered by a matching gift from the John C. Mithun Foundation, helped push fundraising beyond the event’s $150,000 goal.
Girls Inc. acknowledges the generosity of sponsors, including: Beacon Sponsors Cottage Health, Sutter Health, and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
All funds raised will directly support Girls Inc. programming.