Jenkins.
Sister to Sister International, Inc. (STSI) hosted its 9th Annual Science Technology Engineering Arts & Math (STEAM) Camp Graduation and Scholarship Program this summer for 23 area girls of color at the Yonkers Riverfront Library. The program was the first in the region to begin addressing significant underrepresentation of Black and girls of color in STEAM and health fields. This is critical because the demand for STEAM jobs is growing almost twice as fast as non-STEAM jobs. Knowing this STSI and its Board charted a strategic plan that included major focus on STEAM education, beginning with a STEM Camp that has now evolved into a year-round STEAM Academy, with various community and worksite partners, in addition to a new student run Alumni Association.
This is the second year that middle schoolers were officially included in STSI’s cutting-edge summer program, extending our pipeline of students from middle, to high school, college and STEAM careers.
During the two-week summer camp STEAM Sistahs were exposed to STEAM careers and role models, academics, field trips, leadership, public speaking, college prep and civic engagement. STEAM Sistahs visited Consumer Reports, the City College Sophie Davis Medical School & Zahn Innovation Science Center, an exhibition by Black female artist at the National Arts Club and New York One with television anchor Cheryl Wills. The camp not only introduced the girls to jobs, but entrepreneurship, as well as healthy cooking & lifestyles, fashion do’s and don’ts and etiquette. They also conducted STEAM career research and met with pharmacist, artists and educators; received a college prep overview and a preview of their upcoming math and science courses with certified teachers – giving them a head start on the upcoming school year.
When asked what they liked most about the camp student responses included: “Exposure to STEAM fields and role models; Learning about their hidden talents and passions; The opportunity to network with real-life STEAM role models, who can evolve into mentors; Field trips and making new friends for life.” The girls also rated the camp 4.5 on a survey scale of 5! Cheryl Brannan, STSI’s founder and STEAM Program Architect and newly appointed STEAM Program Consultant, Crystal Bonds, were thrilled with the students reaction to new modules and growth this year!
The memorable graduation ceremony included student testimonials, inspirational messages and certificate presentations by various elected officials and supporters including: Supreme Court Justice Janet Malone; Democratic Conference Leader, Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins; Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins; Councilman Chris Johnson; along with a representative from Mayor Spano’s office. They all have been long time supporters of the program, along with the City of Yonkers, Westchester County Youth Bureau, Con Edison and Entergy, to name a few.
Parental involvement is an important part of STSI’s success. During the graduation Dr. Suzanne Greenidge, a noted gynecologist in the area, spoke about the progress of her two daughters who participated for a second summer. She shared how they had grown and begun to shape their interest toward potential career choices. Over the years, STSI’s camp has become a family affair – in some instances up to three siblings have participated in the program.
Developing Relationships with Community Business Partners
Sister to Sister International, Inc., (STS) also expanded its relationship with Consumer Reports (CR) and other community partners this year. Ten STEAM Sistahs were paired with CR women who are part of their employee resource group for a one year career coaching session. The interactive career coaching sessions covered, everything from resume writing, interview and soft skills, social media and creating an elevator pitch. Nalo Russell, a rising senior at the Chapin School and STEAM Camp Co-President said “It was great to get this kind of exposure especially as a junior preparing for college and future internships.
We also continued our internship relationship with CR. STEAM Sistah Sayidana Brannan-Douglas, a rising senior at Stony Brook University in the Women in Science and Engineering Honors College, was again a Product Management intern in the Digital Department this summer. She stated, “I was able to perform research on millennial shopping behaviors and create actionable insights for CR to use, as well as design and edit content for CR’s social media pages. I’m so grateful to CR and my team for this wonderful opportunity!”
STEAM Sistahs Launch an Alumni Association
As famed civil right activist, Mary Church Terrell said, it is critical that women “lift as they climb.” In that spirit, STSI’s Alumni students launched an association this summer designed to serve as a resource group for students advancing mentorship, internships, and general information sharing. The alumni in the group represent physicians, dentists, entrepreneurs, architects, technology and health administration professionals and college students. They will serve as information resources for each other and STEAM Sistahs in middle and high school. The alumni will connect and inspire each other via live meetings during college breaks, using group chats and other social media outlets. Leading members of the alumni association that are working in their given professions, recent graduates and or students at colleges and universities throughout the country include: Denee’ Hall, Khadyja Sarr, Sayidana Brannan-Douglas, Tamara Gordon, Rosemarie Barker, Maya Smith, Diale Takona, Jenna Cherasard and Alexandra Krause. The launch also included STSI high school student leaders including STEAM Co-president Nia Baptiste, along with Lauren Krigger and Mabel Takona. If you are interested in supporting or being a part of our alumni association, please contact the STSI office.
STSI & Westchester Medical Center Award “Reach for the Stars” Scholarships
STSI and our esteemed community partner the Westchester Medical Center awarded three “Reach for the Stars” scholarships this year to Simisola Macaulay, a graduate of Hastings High School, who will be attending Mount Saint Mary College to pursue a degree in journalism; Khadyja Sarr, a graduate of Howard University, who will be attending, the Boston University School of Public Health, pursing a graduate degree in Health Administration. Additionally, STSI was pleased to present a surprise scholarship to their long-time office manager Marie Smith, who is resuming her studies at Westchester Community College.
Sister to Sister International, Inc., (STSI) is a multi-faceted, tax-exempt 501c (3) non-governmental organization, established in 1994, that advocates for the advancement of women and families of color, with special focus and strong branding in the areas of education, health & wellness and global affairs.
Sister to Sister International is currently soliciting additional sponsors to expand our STEAM offerings and make a greater impact on the lives of girls in our community. To donate to the camp and invest in our future leaders and game changers log on to stsisteam.eventbrite.com, call 914.207.0368 or forward a check to: STSI P.O. Box 351, Yonkers, NY 10703. For more info on STSI, visit Facebook at /sistertosisterinternational and follow us on twitter at stsionthemove
