GEMTalk is rooted in our core principles, such as building self-esteem, strengthening leadership skills, learning how to manage the various components of one’s life, understanding and accepting identities, and expressing oneself in the most healthy and self driven manner. Gems are 12 to 21-year-old girls who learn to embody their SMILE: Self-Esteem, Management, Identity, Leadership, and Expression. A GEM is nominated by her school to receive leadership training and self-esteem building exercises, that, empower her to be the change she needs to see in the world; while building a sisterhood with a diverse group of twenty girls. Upon completion of workshops, Gems receive: A 1-Year GEM Membership (Valued at $250- $500 per Girl), Diamond, Ruby, or Sapphire GEM Status, GEM Changers Volunteer Program Enrollment, Published Articles on the GEM Ink Blog (Fall 2019), Invitation to GEM Award Celebration, Free Mentoring Events, Honor at GEM Award Celebration, Swag Bag, And Much More!