Chrystani Heinrich

G.IRL | CALIFORNIA, USA

Chrystani Heinrich has always been a champion for women. Early in life, she understood the importance of sisterhood and the meaningful connections that arise with women. In her youth, she was a Girl Scout and she believes that is what set her on the path to helping others within her own community. For 12 years she worked in Education as the Assistant Librarian at Compton High School, which is where G.IRL was born.

Traditional schooling lacks in providing everyday life skills to youth. That’s why she started G.IRL. To empower girls in her own community. She remembered the feeling of graduating high school but not knowing what to do next. So she decided to become the mentor that she needed when she was young. Her neighborhood inspires her, the youth that returns to our programming every month inspires her, and the outcomes inspire her!

Chrystani was inspired because she saw herself mirrored in the students that she served. Girls would come to the Library, craving something that would spark their creativity. There were never any reasons for youth to come to the library nor were there any truly engaging activities going on around campus. Chrystani decided it was time for a change for herself and the Library. She started this business so she could show other girls and youth that come from backgrounds similar to hers that they can be their own bosses and chase their dreams.