Our Purpose
Embrace Her Legacy exists to equip the next generation of unstoppable women, breaking cycles of self-doubt, fear, and limitation. We empower young women to own their worth, step into their purpose with unshakable confidence, and build a legacy that transforms generations.
We are committed to changing the world, one girl at a time.
Our Mission & Vision
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit personal development organization that delivers transformational social-emotional and leadership development programs, trainings, workshops (MastHERclasses), media, and community experiences that equip young women with the confidence, tools, and strategies needed to overcome internal and external challenges to fulfill their purpose-driven legacy without doubting their worthiness.
Our vision is that every girl and every woman defeats her inner saboteur, masters her relationship with self and lives out her legacy…unapologetically.
Since our inception, we have impacted over 15,000 women and girls worldwide across 35 countries through our programs, workshops, social media, and media network, including reaching 2,500 women and girls in the NYC/tri-state area alone.
How We Deliver on Our Mission & Outcomes
Embrace Her Legacy equips young women with the confidence, tools, and leadership skills to overcome challenges, discover their purpose, and build a lasting legacy. We do this through transformational programming, immersive experiences, and dynamic media platforms, including:
- The Embrace Her Legacy Academy: NYC Summer Institute
- Our flagship in-person summer leadership and personal development program in New York City designed for high school juniors, seniors, and young women entering college.
- Focuses on confidence-building, personal growth, and career readiness to prepare young women for their next chapter.
- Embrace Her Legacy Academy: Collegiate & Young Adult Leadership Institute
- A leadership and personal development program available as both an independent experience and a customizable program for colleges, universities, organizations, and corporations.
- Equips young women (ages 18-24) with the skills to thrive in leadership, career, and personal development, while fostering community and mentorship.
- MastHERclass Workshops, Conferences & Trainings
- Signature personal and leadership development experiences that provide young women with hands-on training in confidence, personal growth, mental wellness, career development, and legacy-building.
- Available as standalone events or customized for schools, organizations, and corporations to meet the needs of their communities.
- Embrace Her Legacy Media & Podcast
- A storytelling and empowerment platform where young women can access real, raw, and transformative conversations about self-worth, purpose, mental health, and success.
- Features expert interviews, coaching moments, and community-driven discussions to help young women navigate life with confidence.
- Annual College Scholarship Program
- Provides financial support and access to resources for young women pursuing higher education, ensuring they have the tools to build their legacy without financial barriers.
- Focuses on supporting students who embody leadership, resilience, and a commitment to breaking generational cycles.
Our Key Outcomes:
1. Identity & Self-Worth Transformation
Young women develop a healthy relationship with themselves, free from self-doubt, insecurity, and limiting beliefs. They embrace their worth, confidence, and identity, knowing they are worthy, capable, and enough just as they are.
2. Purpose-Driven Leadership
Young women discover their purpose and cultivate the confidence to walk boldly in it. They identify their natural gifts, talents, and abilities, using them to lead with intention and impact in their careers, communities, and personal lives.
3. Breaking Generational Cycles
Participants become generational blessing-builders, disrupting negative cycles in their families and communities. They shift patterns of fear, financial struggle, trauma, and self-sabotage into legacies of strength, abundance, and purpose for generations to come.
4. Unstoppable Global Change-Makers
Through personal development and leadership development along with community, young women become change agents in their spheres of influence. They are equipped with the tools, mindset, and community to contribute meaningfully to society, uplifting others and leaving a lasting legacy.
Meet Our Founder & Chief Executive Officer: Maria I. Melendez
Maria I. Melendez, the visionary behind Embrace Her Legacy, is more than just a founder and CEO; she’s a catalyst for change. With a multifaceted role as a women and girls leadership advocate, speaker, author, mentor, podcast host, and brand strategist, Maria is on a mission to empower individuals to craft lives that leave an indelible mark on the world.
Maria’s influence extends far beyond her organization, with features in prestigious publications such as FORBES, ESSENCE magazine, and Latina.com, coupled with recognition through various accolades. Her transformative impact is not only evident in her extensive speaking engagements, surpassing 100 talks, but also in her acclaimed TEDx talk titled “A Time to Heal.”
Stepping away from a high-profile career in the music business, Maria redirected her trajectory to fulfill her purpose of educating and transforming the lives of women and girls. Referred to affectionately by clients and peers as the “Inspirational Homegirl,” Maria embodies the essence of leading a purpose-driven life, inspiring others to do the same.
Hailing proudly from Brooklyn, NY, and of Afro-Latin descent, Maria holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Hofstra University and earned her Executive Master’s of Public Administration from NYU’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. Her contemporary approach blends faith, transparency, authenticity, wit, humor, and positivity, creating a powerful message of transformation that resonates globally. Maria I. Melendez is not just a leader; she’s a force, shaping the narrative of personal and leadership development for women and girls around the world.
For booking us for speaking engagements, keynote speeches or empowerment workshops, please fill out our speaker request form here.
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