Happy April!

Spring has officially sprung - and so has an exciting season for the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls!

We’re still smiling from our 3rd annual GUMBO, JAZZ & GOOD TIMES fundraiser, hosted at the beautiful home of Advisory Board member Vanessa Bell Calloway. It truly lived up to its name! Thank you to all our supporters who gathered on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon for great music from a lively jazz trio, incredible food (shoutout to Vanessa’s husband, Tony, for his unforgettable gumbo!), and a spirit of joy and generosity that filled the air.

One of the highlights? Our auction and raffle, featuring amazing items like a signed basketball from Magic Johnson which sparked some enthusiastic bidding! Thanks to your support, we raised meaningful funds that will go directly toward grants for the incredible nonprofits we champion.

And we didn’t slow down from there…

Planning is already underway for our 3rd annual SHE LEADS: Empowering Nonprofit Leaders for Girls conference - our signature gathering designed to uplift and equip the women leading girl-centered organizations across the country. Early Bird registration is now open! If there’s a dynamic leader in your network who should be in the room, encourage her to reach out to us at SHELeads@shaunfoundationforgirls.org.

I also had the pleasure of stopping by the FOX-LA studios to share more about our mission and the impact of our work. My friend, anchor Christine Devine, led a thoughtful conversation about why supporting girls and young women in under-resourced communities with limited access to opportunity is more important than ever.

Finally, we pause to honor the life of our dear friend, KiKi Shepard. Many knew her from the iconic Showtime at the Apollo, but we knew her as a radiant spirit and a proud supporter of our foundation. Her own philanthropic work touched so many lives. KiKi lived with joy, grace, and purpose - and her legacy is a beautiful reminder to do the same. She will be deeply missed.

This month’s newsletter is rooted in that spirit of joy, and I hope you feel it in every story.

As always, we are grateful for your continued support. If you feel moved to give, you can visit shaunfoundationforgirls.org/donate. Every gift - no matter the size - helps us move this mission forward.

Thank you for being such an important part of our family.

With gratitude,

Shaun

Shaun Robinson

President and Founder

S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls

Event Spotlight: 3rd Annual GUMBO, JAZZ & GOOD TIMES

Thank you again to our amazing S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls' community for supporting our 3rd annual GUMBO, JAZZ & GOOD TIMES fundraiser last month!

It was such a beautiful afternoon at the home of our advisory board member, Vanessa Bell Calloway - filled with soulful jazz, meaningful connection, and plenty of delicious gumbo.

Our auction and raffle did not disappoint - congratulations to all who walked away with prizes! And a special thank you to the generous donors who made this year's items so memorable.

Most importantly, the real winners are the girls and young women we can support because of you.

Want to relive the good times with us? Head over to Instagram to see even more highlights from the day!

Viola Davis

Highly Acclaimed, Award-Winning Actress, Producer, and New York Times Best-selling Author

Book of the Month

All rise for Judge Stone! Hitting bookstores just last month, we're thrilled to feature Viola Davis's new book, co-written with #1 bestselling author James Patterson.

Her debut novel, Judge Stone, is a gripping legal thriller following Judge Mary Stone as she takes on a case that shakes the South. A Black woman in a small Alabama town, she balances her commitment to justice, her community, and her family farm.

We love that this story puts a strong, unforgettable female character front and center - one who leads with courage, heart, and conviction!

From Good Intentions to Real Change: Using the Theory of Change to Measure Your Nonprofit's Impact

You're doing the work, running programs, serving girls, and pouring your heart into your mission. But when a funder asks, "What impact are you having?", do you have a clear, confident answer?



If that question makes you pause, you're not alone. Many small nonprofits are excellent at doing the work but struggle to measure it in a way that tells a compelling story. The Theory of Change is one of the most powerful tools for bridging that gap.

Ivy Walker

Serial Entrepreneur, Author & Risk Management Expert

Treasurer, S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls

What is a Theory of Change?



A Theory of Change (ToC) is a logical roadmap that explains how and why your work leads to the outcomes you care about. It connects the dots between what you do (activities), what you produce (outputs), what changes as a result (outcomes), and the bigger difference you're ultimately working toward (impact).

Jayne Morgan, M.D.

@drjaynemorgan

Cardiologist and V.P. of Medical Affairs, Hello Heart

Adj. Ass. Prof. of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine

Creator of the Stairwell Chronicles

Advisory Board Member,

S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls

Healthy Her: Should Dentists Be a Part of Women's Heart Health?... You Betcha!

Women often present with heart attack symptoms that are far different than what you may have learned. This means that we may not have the crushing chest pain, chest pressure, shortness of breath, dizziness, or loss of consciousness that alerts both you and those around you that something serious is happening. No, our symptoms may be more subtle.

Symptoms such as fatigue (just feel tired), or decreased stamina (takes more effort to climb those stairs), back pain, nausea, and even jaw pain, are often more common presenting symptoms of a heart attack in women. It is the jaw pain in fact, that takes women to the Dentist for an evaluation of their teeth. This is the missed opportunity at the Dentist’s office.

Mindfulness Tip: The Briefcase Technique

Struggling to get quality sleep? Your mind might be holding you back. Try this quick technique to pack away your thoughts and rest easier.

Laura Saltman

Mindfulness, Meditation and Metaphysical Teacher

@laurasaltman

Marissa Nance

CEO & Founder,

Native Tongue Communications

Advisory Board Member, S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls

Featured Fashion Trends:

Retro Looks, Modern Glam

Right now, fashion is going back, all the waaaay back to 2016!

This season is taking cues from a decade ago, showcasing hot trends last seen in 2016!

Then, fashion was dominated by "athleisure", the 90s, and "Insta” trends. Key looks included chokers, off shoulder, skinny jeans, slip dresses, and velvet textures. Marc Jacobs, Christian Siriano and Rachel Roy were some of the top designers for shoppers. 

This season, all three were back, with updated versions of their retro looks and giving GLAM today.

Breaking Barriers: This Month's Must-Reads

The S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls is a grant-making, 501(c)(3) dedicated to improving the quality of life for underserved and underrepresented girls and young women. We support initiatives empowering girls in the key areas of our mission: (S)TEM, (H)EALTH, (A)RTS, (U)NITY and (N)EIGHBORHOODS.