Big News: The Motivating the Teen Spirit Tour Is Coming to DMV and Let Her Shine Is Bringing It Home

Let Her Shine × Motivating the Teen Spirit · August 8–9, 2026 University of North America, Fair Lakes, VA

Free for High School Teens

We have been holding onto this news with full hearts, and we are thrilled to finally share it with our community:

Let Her Shine is partnering with Motivating the Teen Spirit (MTS), founded by the legendary Lisa Nichols to bring the MTS 2026 Teen Emotional Literacy National Tour to the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area this August.

A Movement 28 Years in the Making

If you know Lisa Nichols, you know her story: from a young mother with $11 in her bank account to one of the world's most celebrated transformational speakers and bestselling authors. But before the stages and the bestsellers, there was Motivating the Teen Spirit — the work she founded in 1998 to give teens the tools she wished she'd had.

Twenty-eight years later, MTS has touched more than 200,000 lives. The numbers speak for themselves: 2,000+ teen suicides prevented, 1,600+ teens returned to school, and 8 in 10 teens choosing to come back for more.

Today, that torch has been passed to Jelani Nichols, who now leads Motivating the Teen Spirit into its next chapter. A passionate educator with more than a decade of experience helping young people think critically and build emotional resilience, Jelani carries this mission forward not just as its leader but as living proof of it.

The very program Lisa built while fighting to change her own family's story is now led by her son. If you've ever wondered what changing a generational footprint looks like, this is it.

We could not be more excited to work alongside Jelani and the MTS team — and Let Her Shine is honored to serve as the lead community partner for the DMV stop of this national tour.

What Happens Over Two Days

On August 8–9, 2026, up to 150 teens will gather at the University of North America in Fair Lakes, Virginia for a two-day immersive experience unlike anything else and it's completely free for teens to attend.

This isn't a lecture. It isn't a workshop. It's a guided journey where teens build from the inside out:

• Communication with clarity — finding and using their voice

• Self-trust — believing in who they are and who they're becoming

• Confidence under pressure — navigating relationships, school, and life with intention

For us at Let Her Shine, this partnership is a natural extension of everything we stand for: empowering women and young people to speak up, show up, and rise up by shining their light authentically.

You're Invited: Graduation Night

The weekend culminates in a moment you have to see to believe.

On Sunday, August 9, from 5:30–7:30 PM, families, community leaders, and partners will gather for the Graduation Ceremony where teens step forward and share, in their own words, what they discovered about themselves over the weekend.

There will be an interactive family experience, teen breakthroughs shared from the heart, and the unforgettable graduation and certificate presentation.

Bring tissues. Trust us.

RSVP:

Let Her Shine - ttrieu@lethershine.org

Motivating The Teen Spirit - jelani@motivatingthemasses.com

Be Part of This Movement

An event like this takes a village and we're building ours right now. Here's how you can shine with us:

Send a teen — it's FREE. The program is open to teens (age 12 to 17) at no cost to attend. Parent/guardian consent is required. Official registration opens soon.

Volunteer. Join our DMV City Team from hospitality and event operations to fund development, there's a place for every gift.

Sponsor. Local businesses and organizations can make this weekend possible for teens in our community. Reach out to learn about sponsorship opportunities.

Give. Every dollar helps a teen say yes to this experience: Support the tour on GoFundMe https://gofund.me/d6ca08c90 — no amount is too small.

Share. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is forward this to one family, one teacher, one coach who needs to see it.

This Is Just the Beginning

Our dream doesn't end on August 9th. We're working to bring the MTS Teen Tour back to the DMV again and again — reaching more teens, more schools, and more communities each time. When you join us this summer, you're not just attending an event. You're helping plant something that will keep growing.

Let's shine together.

Questions or want to get involved? Contact:

Thania Trieu, Co-Founder & President, Let Her Shine · ttrieu@lethershine.org

Sean Lam, Co-Founder & CFO, Let Her Shine · slam@lethershine.org