NowNext
Celebrating Our Nation’s Top 100 Black Girls of Today and Tomorrow
The Now & Next 100 is a national award of impact designed to elevate stories, expand access, and accelerate momentum of the girls who are defining what’s next in business, leadership, technology, culture, and community. We’re celebrating the brilliance of Black girls (ages 14-24) who lead, build, and move our world forward.
WHY NOMINATE?
HERStory will be televised!
Selected nominees will receive:
1.
A National Spotlight
Be celebrated on a national stage on all Dear Diary and Now & Next 100 platforms, sharing her story with a national audience that values her ambition and excellence!
2.
A Free Annual Membership
Gain exclusive access to Dear Diary’s transformative programs, mentorship opportunities, resources and network ($499 value) with a complimentary 12-month membership designed to help her grow and thrive.
3.
A Now and Next 100 Gift
Receive a thoughtfully curated gift from our team that celebrates her work and the path she’s carving.
How It Works ✦
Nominate
Tell us who she is, what she’s building (or doing), and the impact she’s making. Upload photos and/or videos to showcase her achievements, creativity, or leadership. Every detail helps us understand and tell her story. Complete our easy-to-use submission form and share why she deserves to be celebrated.
Celebrate Excellence
Our team will review submissions and select 100 remarkable girls to be featured. Winners will be announced starting December 1, 2025. Follow us on Instagram @DearDiaryOrg to celebrate these incredible girls with us!
Questions?
Answers!
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Black girls, ages 14-24, living in the United States. (Note: we will have a 14-18 year old group (high school) and an 18-24 year old group (post-high school)).
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At Dear Diary, we define Black girls as those who self-identify as Black and female. We do not discriminate based on race or gender. This program is inclusive and aims to spotlight the stories of girls that often go untold.
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Anyone! Parents, educators, mentors, founders, peers, or you can nominate yourself.
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Yes, 100%! There’s no cost to submit a nomination.
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Nominations close on October 31, 2025, at 11:59 CST. Don’t wait, get your submission in today!
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Our selection team (members of our staff as well as an external committee) will carefully review each submission and select 100 winners based on impact, innovation, creativity, and leadership.
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We will begin announcing winners on December 1, 2025 publicly on our Instagram @DearDiaryOrg. All winners will also receive emails of their selection.
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Yes! Multiple nominations strengthen the story by adding dimension. The more details on who she is and what she’s doing, the better!
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Absolutely!
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Dear Diary is an exclusive community for ambitious Black girls, designed to inspire, connect, and empower them through unique, impactful experiences that celebrate who they are and prepare them for who they’re becoming. You can learn more about us here.
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We’ll use the information to select and celebrate the winners of Now and Next 100. Check out our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy for more details about how we protect your data.
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Yes! This is an annual celebration award!
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Feel free to email us at hello@deardiaryinc.org. We’re happy to help!
OUR FOUNDER & SHE-EO
Meet
Yanna
Hi, I’m Yanna Williams! I created Dear Diary as a safe haven where Black girls can be their authentic selves, dream big, and have the confidence, community, and resources to make those dreams come true. But I wanted to do more than that, I wanted to celebrate what they were already accomplishing now as well! That’s why I started the Now and Next 100: a space to unapologetically spotlight the brilliance, achievements, and unstoppable impact of Black girls across the country. When we celebrate their greatness, we accelerate what’s possible for all of us!
