STSI Announces Strategies to Improve the Quality of Life for Black Women and Girls

Sister to Sister International (STSI) a Yonkers based nonprofit established 25 years ago to link black women and girls locally and globally to the resources that connects advance and strengthens them - has been on the move!

STSI has become well known for sponsoring UN excursions for local youth and women during their Annual UN Days and global advocacy, in addition to their health literacy focus for Black women including their signature “Sisters Beating the Odds & Claiming Wellness” campaign, health symposia and extravaganzas, faith based health initiatives and our “Maama Kit” safe birthing initiative fund raising efforts with the UN. Over the past ten years STSI has been in the forefront of promoting STEM and STEAM careers with their cutting edge summer STEAM camp and STEAM Academy.

STSI pivoted five years ago when working with the Obama White House Counsel on Women & Girls from a membership organization to one that also, includes over 50 community partner entities that support our goals of improving outcomes for Black women and girls in Westchester County and beyond. One year ago STSI unveiled a first ever research report entitled STILL I RISE: The Status of Black Women And Girls In Westchester County.

The research received rave reviews and STSI formed four collective impact work groups to develop strategies to improve the trajectory for black women and girls in Westchester County. The work groups have been meeting over the past year, further analyzing the research and developing strategies focused on four pillars highlighted in the report including: health and wellness, maternal health and teenage pregnancy prevention; entrepreneurship, pay equity & economic prosperity; trauma, suspensions, and juvenile justice; and STEM, STEAM & Health curriculum and careers.

Cheryl Brannan, founder of Sister to Sister International, Convener for the Black Women Girl-Child Initiative and President of the Brannan Solutions Group, said while we are sharing a helicopters overview of some of the exciting and impactful strategies we will announce, we are encouraging members of the community including business, civic, faith based and others to join us for a deeper dive beginning November 9th – 13th. It really does take a village to improve outcomes for Black women and girls. We have been very thorough with our analysis and include ways that the strategies can disrupt the racist constructs that have hampered the ability for Black women and girls to reach their full potential.

All sessions are virtual, run from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, are free and require pre-registration on eventbrite. The week will wrap-up on Friday, with a spirited Youth Summit for area girls aged 12 to 18.