We're witnessing a seismic shift in the fashion industry, where sexual assaulters are finally being held accountable, and audiences are calling for diversity both on and off the catwalk. If there's one thing we can glean from movements like Time's Up and #MeToo, it's the collective power of sharing our stories. Model and activist Adwoa Aboah is well aware of the urgent need to amplify diverse voices throughout the industry. It's why she and best friend, Holly Gore, started the Gurls Talk online community to create a safe space for women to speak out about mental health, sexuality, racism, activism, body positivity and so much more. After an overwhelmingly positive response from readers the world over, Gurls Talk expanded to include a monthly Vogue column and now, an international series of festivals. The first was held in London in July and featured a panel discussion with thought leaders like Hari Nef and Hanne Gaby Odiele.

For the second festival, presented in collaboration with Coach and Teen Vogue, women of all backgrounds gathered on Sunday in Brooklyn's Industry City. Panel topics ran the gamut from body positivity to the #MeToo movement, with a diverse array of speakers including Teddy Quinlivan, Paloma Elsesser, Future (the co-founder of Black Lives Matter Toronto), and Teen Vogue executive editor Samhita Mukhopadhyay. When the audience wasn't engaging in powerful conversations with panelists, they were ushered to a voter registration booth, a photo booth, and a sewing booth to personalize their jackets with empowering phrases. Even the bathrooms were inclusive; the doors all bore "Gender-Neutral" signage. By the time the closing performance by Alewya ended, it was clear that Gurls Talk is more than mere lip service. It's a call-to-arms for women to find collective healing and fight for change. On location at the Gurls Talk Festival in Brooklyn, Teen Vogue asked 10 activists to share what Gurls Talk means to them.