Girl Trek: Walking as a Powerful Source for Change

Focusing her work on improving health outcomes and quality of life for black women and girls, dynamic social entrepreneur Vanessa Garrison describes the deeper theme of her organization which is grounded in the culture and values of the African American community. She is the co-founder of the national health movement, GirlTrek, which describes itself this way: “This is not a fitness organization, this is a campaign for healing. We walk to heal our bodies, inspire our families and to reclaim the streets of our neighborhoods.” Vanessa speaks to the strengths of grassroots organizing and movement building, and how to empower those who are closest to the problems in their communities to be the change-makers for their lives and the lives of their families.