Sis proudly declares that she is the Tupac of the non-profit world. Why? Because just like Tupac was a passionate advocate for his community, she is a passionate advocate for the healthy development of Black girls and young women. Sis is empathetic, funny, makes her own wall art, and can find a way to quote a rap lyric into any conversation.
We asked: Name your favorite Black heroine in literature. What makes you admire her?
She answered: In my more angry days, I would have answered Sophia from The Color Purple. As I gain wisdom, I now see the beauty and the strength in Celie. Celie is proof that it's never too late to snatch a piece of your happiness. I admire how Celie grew to love and embrace herself as a whole person.
The oldest of seven kids (five sisters and one brother), this woman is no stranger to being in charge. By day this diva handles business as she is the COO of another nonprofit. When she’s not at work, you can find her riding passenger on a Harley. Sis also has a green thumb and loves taking care of her garden whenever she has the chance. She also has excellent taste in TV shows and enjoys watching old episodes of the TV shows, A different world, Girlfriends and Martin seasons 1-4, though she has some strong feelings about season 5.
We asked: Name your favorite Black heroine in literature. What makes you admire her?
She answered: One of my favorite Black heroines in literature is Bernardine from Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan. Bernardine experienced heartbreak and embarrassment and gave herself permission to feel every one of her emotions in the process. I also loved that during this difficult time, she opened herself to feel for someone else, showing that there is love after heartbreak. After all her husband had done, going back to her initial reaction to it all, I saw her growth as she said her last goodbye was so real.
A husband and a girl dad of three, this brother knows the value and importance of Black women. You can find him spending time with friends at an MMA fight when he's not super dad and super husband. Bro resides in St. Paul and currently serves as Executive Director at a nonprofit in his city. He's determined to make the world a safer place for BIPOC youth.
We asked: Name your favorite Black heroine in literature. What makes you admire her?
He answered: Pecola from The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. For a girl her age, she displayed a tremendous amount of bravery and resilience.
Sis is a social justice warrior! She is committed to equity and inclusion for women and gender-expansive people. Sis is a tattooed free spirit who always has a smile on her face. She has the unique ability to make everyone feel at ease around her. Sis is unafraid to create her path in life and has no problem carving out her space as a Black woman. You will learn two things about her: sis has a fierce style and love for her cat!!
We asked: Name your favorite Black heroine in literature. What makes you admire her? I am not, nor have I ever been, a big fiction reader. But I did just read Bless the Daughter Raised By The Voice in Her Head by Warsaw Shire. I really connected to her detailing of the complex journey of navigating Black womanhood. Warsaw is a phenomenal writer.
Sis is an adventurous hippie, a dog mom, and has a heart of gold. When she's not working to improve the lives of BIPOC and Queer people, you can find her singing on a stage with her band or taking a spontaneous road trip down the coast of California.
We asked: Name your favorite Black heroine in literature. What makes you admire her? Stella and Desiree in the Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett. This book forces you to look at identity and how it impacts the lives of us all, but in this book especially how it impacts Black women.
