Polished Pebbles, an Illinois Gold Star rated mentoring program, is a Chicago-based mentoring initiative that increases the communication skills and employ-ability of young women for the future workplace. Polished Pebbles helps girls ages 7-17 become effective communicators at home, school, and their future careers. The organization currently serves 500+ girls and young women per school year in Chicagoland, Indiana, Texas, and North Carolina. Since our inception in 2009, Polished Pebbles has worked with over 4,000 African-American and Latina girls and provided over 500 mentors to girls in more than 100 schools. These sites include Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Housing Authority communities, and University of Chicago Charter Schools. Polished Pebbles has also built partnerships with businesses such as iHeart Radio, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, ThoughtWorks, The Chicago Sky, the University of Chicago, Microsoft, Ann Taylor, and ComEd. Our successful model has allowed us to expand nationally piloting programs on the college level at Duke University where we provided young women with a safe, identity affirming space, mentors, professional relationships, and fellowship with other women of color.