Sister to Sister International (STSI) & Community Partners will be host a Week of Action Summit beginning Monday, March 28th – Saturday, April 2nd. The summit will be virtual on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 pm and in person on Saturday, April 2nd, 2022, at the Grinton I. Will Library 10:30 am – 3:00 pm. Registration is free but you must register in advance to receive a zoom link and admission to the in-person event on Saturday at https://bwgcsummitt2022.eventbrite.com/
On the heels of their historic research report entitled “Still I Rise: Status of Black Women & Girls in Westchester County,” Sister to Sister International created collective impact workgroups, including nonprofits, government, faith that included diverse stakeholders who created a Platform for Action. The goal of the Platform for Action is to improve outcomes for Black girls and women in Westchester County related to rates of exclusionary school discipline, entry into the juvenile justice system, decreasing maternal mortality and teen pregnancy rates, along with enhancing healthy lifestyles, increasing STEAM & Health education opportunities, and expanding entrepreneurship, pay equity and economic prosperity.
During the Summit, the participants will hear updates on Sister to Sister International’s Platform for Action to improve the status of Black Women and Girls in Westchester County and hear from thought leaders across the country. Our Special guest speakers include a Special Assistant to the President on Gender Policy at the White House, the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, a spotlight on our STEAM Sistahs and many more dynamic speakers.
Cheryl Brannan, President and founder of Sister to Sister International said, “We are very excited about the outstanding array of speakers during our Summit this year! They will bring important perspectives to augment the great work that our workgroup leaders and members have been doing to advance Black women and girls in Westchester County and beyond!”
Monday, March 28th (6:00 – 8:00 pm) Juvenile & Social Justice, VIRTUAL
Dr. Darlene Russell, Dr. Alexandria Connally and Pat White, Work group Co-chairs
Kalisha Dessources Figures, Special Assistant to the President for Gender Policy at the White House; Maheen Kaleem, Esq., Vice President of Programs and Operations at Grantmakers for Girls of Color; Dr. DaMia Harris Madden Executive Director, Westchester County Youth Bureau; Dr. Jamilia Blake Professor, Psychologist & Award Winning Researcher;
Tuesday, March 29th (6:00 – 8:00 pm) Entrepreneurship, Pay Equity & Economic Prosperity VIRTUAL Charmaine Golding, Beryl Weaver, Georgia Reid-Douglas, Work group Chair & Co-chairs
Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever, CEO of Media to Millions and the Founder of the Exceptional Black Woman Network; Mia Smith; Interim Vice President of Fellowships and Programs; American Association of University Women, National Office; Deborah Novick, Director of Entrepreneurship, and Innovation within the Westchester County Office of Economic Development
Wednesday, March 30th (6:00 – 8:00 pm) Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Maternal Health, and Healthy Lifestyles VIRTUAL Millissa Bess & Mabel Takona, Work group Co-Chairs
Dr. Mary T. Bassett, M.D., MPH Commissioner, NYS Department of Health; Dr. Angela Campbell, Executive Director Lower Hudson Valley Perinatal Network and Nubia Earth Martin, President, and Founder of Birth from the Earth.
During Thursday evening we will take a break in the action and return the next evening with a STEM, STEAM Showcase.
Friday, April 1st (6:00 – 8:00 pm) STEM, STEAM, Health (SSH) Curricula & Careers VIRTUAL Jhinelle Walker, Tinuke Colpa and Niambi Murray, Workgroup co-chairs
On Friday, we will showcase our STEAM students including Sayidana Brannan-Douglas, Monifa Mayo, Denee Hall and various other students who are alumni of the STSI STEAM Academy who are in college and in various careers including architecture, health, technology and the arts, to name a few. Parents and students will hear about our current programs and the opportunity to apply for our STEAM camp and Academy.
Saturday, April 2nd, 2022 (10:30 – 3:00 pm)
The culmination of the Week of Action Summit will occur on Saturday, April 2nd, 2022, at 10:30 am at the Grinton I. Will Library, 1500 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY. Participants will participate in a plenary, recognition, a Power Panel, learn more about the workgroups, learn advocacy and self-care techniques.
For more information email bwgc215@gmail.com log onto s2si.org stsiinternational on instagram and @stsionthemove twitter.
About Sister to Sister International, Inc.
STSl’s mission is to motivate, educate, train and advocate for the advancement of Black women, girls and families of color locally and globally. Primary areas of program focus include STEM & STEAM Education, Health and Wellness, Juvenile and Social Justice and Entrepreneurship and Economic Prosperity. The promotion of Equity and Inclusion, African Culture and Global Affairs are incorporated in all STSl’s programing. STSI conducts research on the status of Black women and girls in Westchester County and collaborates with various partners globally. STSI holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations since 2004.
