Anai, who recently graduated from Girls Inc. of Los Angeles’s middle school program, placed first in the Entrepreneur Mindset & Milestones pitch competition.

Anai is currently a high school freshman but began working on her idea as an 8th grader. During Girls Inc. afterschool programming, Anai worked with Development Manager Ariana R. Jordan and Program Instructor Symphony Powell, developing her business venture and practicing her pitch.

She received $1,000 for her idea, Pixan Jitchman, a cultural center in Los Angeles for Maya Q’anjob’al and Indigenous peoples originating from Guatemala. She was the youngest finalist of the group and blew the judges away with her innovative idea, wonderful articulation of her cultural traditions, and pride in her community.

Anai said:

“Before I joined Girls Inc., I was a very reserved and shy person. I never knew how to speak up for myself, express myself, or even ask for help. Going to Girls Inc. every Thursday after school was always the highlight of that day. I would be excited to learn more about entrepreneurship, confidence, and self-love. After Girls Inc., I was able to do the things I couldn’t do before and a lot more. In fact, I had never imagined myself being a part of a pitch competition. I am now ready for anything that high school has prepared for me. I am thankful for Girls Inc.”