Recent Happenings
July 24, 2021, Launch Celebration
On Saturday, July 24, 2021, Sister-to-Sister, Inc. blasted off into the future! With a celebration featuring inspirational guest speaker, author, and soloist Sister Flora A. Young and special guest Sister Deborah Richardson, the first Black ACLU Colorado Executive Director, the gathering was a resounding success. Making the occasion even more special was the presence of Sister Debra Johnson, the first woman selected to lead Colorado's mass transit system. With catered meals funded by board members and in-kind contributions of many, including immensely talented artists Adderly Grant-Lord, Wa Shonji Quilting Guild members, and sculptor Sotora Tafura, the celebration could not have created more uplifting memories.
August 13 - 14, 2021, Inaugural Fundraiser
August begins Sister-to-Sister, Inc.'s fundraising campaign. And the generosity of Black entrepreneurial owners Shirley and Jason Sullen facilitated a good start as they donated Events @ Piney Creek in Centennial, Colorado, delicious three-course dinners catered by Serendipity Catering, and "foot-stomping" dance music by the Phat Daddy Band. The ambience-filled venue offered two evenings of exhilarating comradery enjoyed by all!
Applause!
It is rare to find a Sister seeking the lime light. We go about our day-to-day work tirelessly and selflessly giving. Nonetheless, a pat-on-the back is rewarding. So, we want to give a shout-out to some giving Sisters, who never expect anything in return. No credentials are necessary for recognition in our newsletter. The goal is to profile "good works."
Sister Alyssa Chapital, B.S., M.D., Ph.D. M.S., M.P.H., the daughter of Arizona resident Sister Martelle Chapital Smith, serves as Chief Medical Director at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix. For decades, Sister Alyssa has offered her medical expertise several times each year in Haiti and to other underserved populations around the globe. She was recently selected as one of Arizona's Most Influential Women. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anXEglT_Sxk
On July 1, 2021, Sister Dayna Bowen-Matthew, J.D., Ph.D., a native New Yorker raised in Harlem with little, economically, celebrated her first anniversary as dean of George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Sister Dayna is known for her inviting personality and willingness to help!
https://www.law.gwu.edu/dayna-bowen-matthew
Among other leadership roles, Denver native, Iowa College of Law third-year student and Sister-to-Sister, Inc. board member Sister Alexis Walker-Dunham serves on Law Review and incoming president of her school's Black Law Students Association. Alexis invites everyone in with her engaging personality!
University of Colorado School of Law third-year student and Sister-to-Sister, Inc. Advisory Council member Sister Taylor Hill has earned the honor of becoming the school's Law Review Editor-in-Chief. Known for her drive and integrity, Sister Taylor takes younger Sisters under her wings! https://source.colostate.edu/outstanding-grads-2017-taylor-hill-college-business/
Sister Essence Duncan, a second-year student at the University of Colorado School of Law, was selected the NAACP, the oldest Civil Rights organization, to serve as a Summer Fellow - a distinguished honor. The Docket, the Denver Bar Association's Summer Edition features Sister Essence in an interview. Hailing from Florida, her effervescent personality welcomes everyone fortunate enough to cross paths with her!
Sister Jennifer Bacon, daughter of Sister MaryAnn Bacon Franklin, was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives. Sworn in last January, Sister Jennifer, a tireless advocate for quality education for youth, especially those from our communities, served on the Denver Board of Education and an educator.
Haitian native Sister Gael ("Jennie") Fluerant has entered her senior year of environmental science studies at Metropolitan State University, Denver. Following graduate studies in the field, Sister Jennie plans to return to Haiti to donate her acquired knowledge and skills to the community. Quiet and sweet in persona, Jennie's strength is remarkable! https://www.locallyhaiti.org/jennie-fleurant
Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, Sister Nicole Nunn Hilliard, M.S., M..B.A., is Managing Vice President at Charles Schwab, an international investment firm and is one of few Black professionals to hold such a position. If you meet Sister Nicole for the umpteenth time you would never hear her distinguished career background. After all, she is the daughter of down-to-earth Sister Penny Nunn. Doting mother to one of Colorado's top scholar and competitive athletes - daughter Mariah - Sister Nicole avidly mentors while never misses a game!
Sister Gloria Montgomery, M.S.W., retired from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children and Families, Rocky Mountain Region, after more than two decades enriching the lives of tribal families. In addition to serving on the Sister-to-Sister, Inc. Board of Directors and co-chairing the Advisory Counsel, Sister Gloria is completing her second-year term as president of Denver Coterie, a research nonprofit. The goodness of Sister Gloria's spirit flows from every vessel in her body!
Business Profile
Dianne Fisher, Realtor/Broker
Distinct Realty
In this inaugural issue, Sister-to-Sister, Inc. is pleased to feature Sister Dianne Fisher of Distinct Realty, LLC, in Denver, Colorado. Sister Dianne, a native North Carolinian, is a former military officer, retiring from the Army as a Lt. Colonel. She is an avid traveler and outdoorswoman having visited numerous countries to hike, ride bicycles, climb mountains, and ski. For more than two decades, Sister Dianne has been a consummate supporter of Sister-to-Sister, Inc. She enjoys mentoring and generations of Onyx female youth have benefitted from her guidance and love. https://www.distinctre.com/dianne-fisher
Prayer Requests
There is power in prayer. If you have a prayer request for mighty Prayer Warriors, email them to info@sister-to-sister.org. We treat all requests with strict confidentiality.
Celebrations of Life
Lives are not measured by years on the planet. Rather, they are measured by those touched we touch with affirmation. Within Sister-to-Sister, Inc., Once a Sister, always a Sister! Death does not separate us, as our loving spirits linger.
This publication is dedicated to the memory of one of our beloved Sisters, Malaika ("Angel" in Swahili) Pettigrew, who earned her wings on August 3, 2020. Please notify Sister-to-Sister, Inc. of Sisters, who have passed upwards into the heavens to allow us to honor them in our website's In Memoriam page.
