At this year’s State of the City address in February, the City of Statesboro presented one of its highest civic honors—the Key to the City—to Our Girls Rock Too, a nonprofit that has spent over a decade empowering and uplifting young girls across the community.
The award was presented to the organization’s founder, Stacey Grant, in recognition of her visionary leadership and the program’s transformative impact.
“I was completely surprised,” Grant said. “It’s a big deal. Not that we don’t deserve it, but I honestly had to ask myself if they meant to send it to the right person. I’m beyond thankful and humbled.”
Founded in 2012, Our Girls Rock Too started as a leap of faith for Grant. Although she felt called to create a space for young women, the idea of starting a nonprofit was intimidating. She had no formal experience running a program and worried about where resources would come from. But with encouragement from her mother and a persistent nudge from her faith, she decided to move forward.
The organization’s first event—a one-day conference designed for 35 girls—ended up drawing more than 75 participants. That overwhelming response showed Grant that the community was hungry for spaces that support and celebrate young women. What began as a single event soon evolved into year-round programming.
Today, Our Girls Rock Too offers monthly mentorship events, scholarships for graduating seniors, summer camps, and annual trips to destinations like Washington D.C., Universal Studios, and New York City. Many of the girls involved had never flown on a plane or traveled outside of Georgia, so these experiences are life-changing.
“We wanted to expose them to more than just Bulloch County,” Grant said. “A lot of them had never been anywhere outside the region. It’s about showing them there’s a bigger world out there and that they belong in it.”
While the program has grown, Grant is honest about the challenges she’s faced. In the early years, the organization didn’t yet have 501(c)(3) status, meaning everything had to be funded through local support. Finding venues to host meetings and events was also a barrier. But time and again, doors opened—through partnerships with local businesses, supportive mentors, and a committee of passionate volunteers.
Beyond logistics, one of the most emotional challenges has been making sure every girl feels seen, heard, and valued. Grant shared one early memory that still sticks with her: a young girl who cried during a makeover session because she didn’t feel beautiful.
“She had been bullied because of her natural hair and her size,” Grant recalled. “It broke my heart. But over time, she grew into one of the most confident young women in the group. Watching that transformation is everything.”
Stories like that are what keep Grant going. One of her proudest moments was when a former participant returned to volunteer as a mentor—revealing that the program had helped her navigate one of the hardest times in her life.
“Sometimes you feel like you're talking and no one's really listening,” Grant said. “But then they come back and share how much it meant to them, and it reminds me that the work is truly making a difference.”
Now in its 13th year, Our Girls Rock Too continues to grow and evolve based on the needs of the community. Grant remains focused on helping young girls discover their purpose, confidence, and power.
“My biggest hope is that the girls we work with go out into the world feeling empowered—and that they come back and uplift the next generation too.”
Grant encourages young girls to never give up on themselves or their purpose.
“Your story matters. Don’t be afraid to be different, and don’t let your comfort zone hold you back,” she said. “If I had stayed in mine, this program wouldn’t exist.”
As for what keeps her inspired, Grant points to her faith in God and her strong family support system—including her mother, sister, and father, who she calls her biggest cheerleader.
Surrounded by a team of like-minded women and fueled by purpose, Stacey Grant and Our Girls Rock Too are proving that investing in young girls isn’t just powerful—it’s necessary. The Key to the City is more than a symbolic gesture; it’s a testament to the lasting impact one woman and one vision can have on a community.
For more information about Our Girls Rock Too, visit www.ourgirlsrocktoo.org.