A Message From Our Founder -------- Dear Readers, August 2022 will mark one year since the publication of the first issue of Rising above the Clouds. In this short period, our newsletter has evolved and become a credible source of information, inspiration, tips, and education for Black women. Because there are few publications created specifically for Nubian women, we began ours as a resource for Black women to enjoy, learn and grow. We didn’t have a marketing/PR team - just an idea and an amazing volunteer Editor-in-Chief, Sister Carrie Warren. A lot has changed over the past year. We have grown through the support of our donors and dues-paying members. We still have far to go to strengthen Sister-to-Sister, Inc.’s platforms, programming, and resources aimed at the continual growth of enriching lived spaces that encourage, support, engage, and inspire us all. Please consider joining our Sister Circle as a paid member if you are not yet one. Any donation is welcomed, and all donations are tax-deductible. Your support will go far in enhancing lives! As our tax-exempt public charity has evolved, so has the newsletter. Only approximately one-third of newspaper recipients enjoyed our first issue. Today, that number has jumped to more than two-thirds, not counting individuals with whom editions are shared. Much of this success is attributed to our increased membership over the last year which is up about twenty-five percent. The newsletter has given us a space to explore. Our publication continues to reach Black women across the globe, although most of the viewership comes from the United States and Canada. We realize we are not the only source of news for Black women’s content, but we are pleased that each month many of you look to and trust us to share beneficial content. Our newsletter content primarily focuses on inspiring Sisters to live with purpose while enhancing our society, the latest trends for Black women, changing the paradigm of how to envision our and our families’ futures, and issues of importance to Black families. We are fortunate to offer two blogs on self-care, health, nutrition, and meditation, thanks to two extremely talented and giving Sisters – Teri Sewell Huff and Dr. Sandra Thebaud. Over time, we’ve listened to you, embraced your feedback and content suggestions, and evolved our content, accordingly. Thank you for taking this journey with us! It has been a deep learning experience to simply create the newsletter, using the collective spirit of beautiful Sisters as the energizing spark. Of course, none of this would be possible without the amazing Sister Carrie, to whom our nonprofit is indebted! She currently serves as both an Advisory Board Member and the current Editor-in-Chief. Her tremendous contributions to Sister-to-Sister, Inc., over the past two and one-half years, cannot be monetarily compensated. Due to her graciously lent time, talent, and treasure, our newsletter content, and design have steadily soared “beyond the clouds.” Sister Carrie, a community leader, is an invaluable asset to both Sister-to-Sister, Inc., and the Denver community! Sadly, this month we must bid adieu to Sister Carrie as she steps down from our Advisory Council and as Editor-in-Chief of Rising above the Clouds, to embark on a quest of personal discovery and sabbatical. However, she will remain an irreplaceable member of our Sister Circle. We thank you Sister Carrie for your service and wish you the best in your next phase of Black woman excellence! We will have a new Editor-in-Chief named soon. In the meantime, please forward your announcements and content ideas for the newsletter to Editor-in-Chief at info@sister-to-sister.org. Gratefully, Sister Velveta Golightly-Howell, Esq. Chair, CEO, and Founder |
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Your Presence Will Be Missed! -------- We would like to extend a fond farewell to two former educators, Sisters Jacquelyn A. McClendon, who has moved from Colorado to the Midwest, and Johnna Scott, who moved from Colorado to the Southeast. Although we will miss seeing you in person, in Colorado, we wish you well and are thankful that you will continue to take part in our Sister Circle virtually, as do many other Sisters, living outside Colorado and the United States. |
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Welcome Dear Sister -------- We welcome Khafilah Malik, our Sister who lives and works as an educator administrator in Ethiopia. Khafilah has returned to the United States to spend the summer with her family in Washington, D.C. |
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Thank You, Sister -------- We would like to thank Sister Velveta Golightly-Howell for hosting an amazing potluck gathering at her home on June 26th. Those attending enjoyed a blessed day of fellowship, and interactive session regarding how hearing loss affects individuals’ health and ability to communicate, notwithstanding their race, ethnicity, gender, or age - this includes babies and children. We were honored to have as our special guest speaker Dr. Joycelyn C. Tubbs, Au.D., who shared her work in audiology. Sister Joycelyn’s professional goal is to educate and encourage as many people as possible to have their hearing checked and to understand the importance of hearing for better communication skills. Thank you, Sister Joycelyn, a very young pioneer in the field, for sharing your wisdom! We also thank the Sisters who blessed us with their presence, in-person and virtually! |
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July Sister-to-Sister, Inc. Gathering -------- The July Sister Gathering will be co-hosted by Sisters Joette Bailey Keown and Rhonda Wallen. Details are forthcoming. |
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High School and College Graduation Recognition Program -------- In April of 2022, Sister-to-Sister, Inc. began its recognition program honoring high-achieving young Sisters. Nominations are accepted from dues-paying members. This year, our org is proud to recognize Alexis Hilliard as the High School Graduate Honoree (featured in June’s newsletter) and Shyla Kyser as the College Graduate Honoree. Nominations will be accepted for these recognitions, annually. Related information and the nomination form for 2023 nominations will be available online. |
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Keep Soaring Shyla -------- |
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Shyla Kyser is the daughter of Rahshaun Kyser and Sister Carrie Warren. Shyla recently graduated from Marquette University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts and a minor in Psychology. Before enrolling at Marquette University in 2018, Shyla was a student at Denver School of the Arts (DSA) for seven years where she developed her talent in Theatre Arts and Stagecraft & Design. She first started performing in theatrical productions when she was 9 years old. Like most artists of color, Shyla longed to perform content created for and by artists of color but rarely had an opportunity to do so. It wasn’t until she enrolled in STREAM (a Science, Technology, Robotics, Engineering, Arts, and Media program) at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD), an internationally esteemed organization that operates beyond the traditional performing arts model, that she would showcase her talent in a diverse environment. As a paid intern at CPRD, she got to work with artists and technicians of color on shows performed by artists of color. Upon leaving DSA, CPRD, and entering Marquette, Shyla immediately set her sights on creating opportunities for herself and artists of color. After several years of hard work, perseverance, and relentless advocacy, she partnered with Marquette University to launch Voices Included for People of Color Theatre Company (VIP Theatre). The VIP Theatre is a paid theatre company that directly serves people of color and minoritized individuals who self-identify as theatre creators in all areas of theatre. Shyla serves as the Arts Administrator where she proudly manages community relations and development and promotes the activities of the organization. She plans to continue her work with VIP and will soon start a graduate program to pursue a Master of Arts in Psychology. Her long-term goal is to become a Drama Therapist, where she will combine theatre techniques and psychotherapy as a treatment approach to facilitate personal growth and promote mental health. Sister-to-Sister, Inc. is privileged to honor Shyla, an extraordinary young Sister, who surely will enhance the lives of many in her remarkable life journey. Congratulations Shyla and much success in your future endeavors! |
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Sisters, Embrace Your Crown -------- |
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On July 3rd, we celebrate National CROWN Day! It is a day that we come together, in solidarity, to support the human rights of Black women, men, and children to wear their natural hair boldly, and proudly, without the fear of being discriminated against in school or the workplace. This unofficial holiday celebrates Afro-textured hair - or the tight curls, coils, and kinks most often associated with Black and Indigenous people of color. Created by The Crown Coalition, National Crown Day is campaigning to end hair discrimination in the workplace and at schools, which the Black community faces far too often when wearing their natural hair. Be Bold. Be Fearless. Embrace Your Crown! |
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What Do Your Signs Of Stress Really Mean? -------- By Sandra Thébaud, Ph.D. If you are an energetic person who likes to succeed, who likes to get things done yesterday, you might find it extremely helpful to slow down your pace when learning stress management techniques. Enthusiasm may push you to take on many techniques at once and do them for too long. You run a high risk of burning out and losing interest if you try to do too much too fast. Furthermore, you are likely to feel guilty for coming up with excuses to avoid exercising at all. You may feel confused when you begin to experience more energy as a result of doing relaxation and stress management exercises. Resist the temptation to pour this extra energy back into your work. Rather, use it for further rest and enjoyment. Sometimes, signs of stress persist in spite of regular relaxation and stress reduction. If you are a conscientious person and have been practicing regularly, this is disheartening. |
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Healthy Tips for Traveling -------- By Teri Sewell Huff Traveling is a part of life, whether traveling for something necessary like a work trip or visiting family or traveling for pleasure on vacation exploring new places. Traveling can take a toll on our bodies when eating out more often, sleeping in a different location, and being off our schedule. With some strategy, it is easier than you think to take care of your physical and mental health while traveling. Click here to learn some tips on how to stay healthy while you are traveling. Interested in traveling to Portugal, Morocco, and Spain with Teri, September 15-30, 2023, click here for more information. |
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Community Events -------- Looking to free your mind, body and spirit? Tap into an upcoming virtual event. Each is sure to stimulate your personal and intellectual palate! July 12 Black Abolitionist Tour of London (FREE) A walking tour of London, narrated by Dr. Hannah-Rose Murray, University of Edinburgh, as she highlights five (5) sites where African American activists made an important impact on the UK landscape. Get Tickets July 24 Travel Indoors - Black Travel Summit (FREE) A gathering of Black travel influencers, Black ski groups, and Digital Nomads. The discussion will get you traveling more, for less! Learn about the Black experience in travel, ways to create and market your brand successfully, making a living while traveling, growing the Black travel industry, and more! Get Tickets July 31 Octavia E. Butler Slow Read of Bloodchild (1995) ($) A slow and luxurious read of Octavia E. Butler’s published works. This month’s reading is Bloodchild (1995). Buy Tickets |
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Sister-to-Sister, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (TAX-ID 85-1053563), an alliance of Black women dedicated to enhancing Sisters’ lives and resilience through comradery, connectivity, education and nurturing. Your support will impact, enhance, and enrich the lives of Black females around the globe. |
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