Fall 2025-Spring 2026

The Lead Incubator

The Lead Incubator is a crucial extension of the Lead Community Change Journey, offering mentees the space, resources, and support needed to implement their project plans and drive meaningful change in their communities. It acts as a dynamic platform where they can turn their ideas into action. Mentees participating in the Lead Incubator focus on advancing their community-based social activism projects with the support of their mentors and Girls Write Now’s resources.

This Journey is only open to participants in the Fall 2025 Lead Incubator Journey.

You may express your interest for this Journey in Fall 2026 by filling out the form below.

You may also sign up for Mentorship on Demand and/or membership at any time.

Pre-Enroll in Fall 2026 Get Involved Now

Learning Objectives

Advance Social Activism Project Goals

Develop and implement strategies to advance community-based social activism projects with the support of Girls Write Now’s resources.

Apply Storytelling and Media Techniques

Use storytelling methods and media strategies, including producing a Lead Podcast episode, to effectively convey your project’s message and engage your community.

Exercise Leadership and Facilitate Engagement

Take on leadership roles, manage project initiatives, and facilitate a community studio to foster collaboration and support for your cause.

Execute and Manage Community Projects

Implement and oversee your community project, applying organizational skills and leadership to drive progress and address community needs.

Evaluate Impact and Enhance Skills

Assess the effectiveness and outcomes of your project, evaluate its impact on the community, and strengthen your leadership skills through practical experience and mentorship.

The Lead Incubator Community Experiences

Mentees and mentors in this Journey are required to attend the monthly one-hour Journey meetings listed below.

Fall Cycle:

Saturday, November 15, 2025, 3 pm ET
Saturday, December 13, 2025, 3 pm ET
Saturday, January 10, 2026, 3 pm ET

Spring Cycle:

Saturday, March 14, 2026, 3 pm ET
Saturday, April 18, 2026, 3 pm ET
Saturday, May 16, 2026, 3 pm ET

If you’re unable to attend a Journey meeting, you must notify your Staff Lead in advance and attend a community event to make up for it—strongly recommended options include Leadership Community Studios, Community Conversations, and Career Chats.

Apply to Journeys Explore Community Experiences

The Lead Incubator Courses

Lead: Maintaining a Social Activism Project
This course focuses on providing participants with strategies and tools to effectively sustain and manage their community-based social activism initiatives. It covers topics such as project planning, resource management, and strategies for long-term impact and growth.

Podcasting Fundamentals
An introductory course that covers the essential skills and tools needed to create and launch a podcast. Participants will learn about podcast planning, recording techniques, and editing, providing them with a solid foundation in podcasting.

Teach GWN: Facilitating Community Studios
This course provides training in the techniques and best practices for leading and managing community studio sessions. It focuses on creating engaging and productive environments that support learning and collaboration among participants.

Apply to Journeys Explore Courses

The Lead Incubator Mentoring

Mentees and mentors in The Lead Incubator Journey will be matched for two cycles. Each pair will meet two times per month and, as a pair, attend all of the community events listed above.

Apply to Journeys Explore Mentorship Opportunities

Journey Teaching Artist

Jessica Jagtiani

Girls Write Now Staff

Jesse Jagtiani is an interdisciplinary artist, educator, and researcher of Indian-German heritage residing in New York City. Jesse earned her Doctor of Education in Art & Art Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, complemented by an MFA in Studio Art from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University, and a degree in Visual Communications from the University of Arts, Berlin. Her research centers on the formative dimensions of intuition, bridging indigenous wisdom with contemporary scientific perspectives to foster a balance of the intuitive and the rational mind within Western educational paradigms. Jesse’s artwork has been exhibited nationally and internationally, and her scholarly contributions extend to various publications, including chapter three of the book Developing Informed Intuition for Decision Making. Jesse has taught in (and outside of) higher education for numerous years and is passionate about supporting emerging artists, writers, and leaders on their creative, academic, and career pathways.

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All Journeys within this Adventure emphasize leadership, aiming to help mentees and mentors develop their leadership skills and work together to create a better future. Explore the other Adventures offered at Girls Write Now below to learn more.

The Lead Incubator is a Journey in the Lead 360 Adventure.

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Area of Focus

Cycle

Duration

Time per Month

Explore All Journeys

Girls Write Now . 9 months ago

Independent Study (Summer 2026)

Create your own experience with our Independent Study Journey. Meet as a pair, attend events of interest, and use coursework to help you plan creative projects and meet your goals.

Girls Write Now . 9 months ago

Teach GWN (Summer 2026)

In this Journey, members of the GWN community will develop curriculum and facilitate a Community Studio for one or more cycles within GWN’s Collaboratory structure. Each cycle involves facilitating three Community Studios, one per month. Participants will gain valuable skills in leadership, teaching, and community building. Mentees and mentors can facilitate a Community Studio either solo (if they are 18 or older) or together as a pair.

Girls Write Now . 12 months ago

Social Media & Marketing (Summer 2025)

This Journey is designed for mentees and mentors who want to understand the power of social media and how to use it effectively to grow an audience, promote their work, and build a personal or professional brand. From crafting engaging posts to creating a consistent online presence, this course covers the essential strategies and tools needed to thrive in the world of digital marketing.

Girls Write Now . 12 months ago

Book Club: Summer Read (Summer 2025)

Book lovers, unite! Each cycle, we’ll close read three new books and discuss them at monthly fixed meetings. When you apply, you can recommend a book that might be chosen for the journey! We’ll focus, in particular, on reading as writers and taking note of the ways each author crafts their story.

Girls Write Now . 12 months ago

College & MFA Preparation (Summer 2025)

Preparing an application for college or graduate school can be a daunting experience. Join us for a Journey that unpacks everything you need to know about finding college and graduate school programs, applying to school, preparing personal essays, and getting the most out of your college or graduate school experience.

Girls Write Now . 12 months ago

Teleplays: Writing for TV (Summer 2025)

The Teleplays: Writing for TV Journey is designed to help develop the skills and understanding needed to work as a writer in today’s TV industry. This Journey provides insight into the work of a scriptwriter – a deep understanding of TV storytelling and professional scripts, drama vs comedy scripts, professional working practices, and employment strategies. Specific topics range from story structure and formatting scripts to actually seeing a script to fruition.

Girls Write Now . 12 months ago

Teach GWN (Summer 2025)

In this journey, members of the GWN community will develop curriculum and facilitate a community studio for one or more cycles within GWN’s Collaboratory structure. Each cycle involves facilitating three community studios, one per month. Participants will gain valuable skills in leadership, teaching, and community building. Mentees and mentors can facilitate a community studio either solo (if they are 18 or older) or together as a pair.

Girls Write Now . 12 months ago

On-Demand Mentoring Sessions

On-Demand Mentoring sessions are available for young writers who would like support or advice on a specific topic. These sessions are offered for Career Development, College Preparation, Creative Writing, or Wellness.

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Independent Study (Summer 2025)

Create your own experience with our Independent Study Journey. Meet as a pair, attend events of interest, and use coursework to help you plan creative projects and meet your goals.

Girls Write Now . 12 months ago

Community Togetherness (Summer 2025)

Come together in this wellness-focused Journey based in collaborative writing prompts and support for one another.

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