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Hello Sunshine! July is my absolute favorite month of the year! Summer is now in full swing, we’ve got fireworks and it is my BIRTHDAY month! I’m looking forward to sharing pictures of my annual vacation that I’m taking with my family and friends!
Speaking of celebrations, this year marks a milestone that fills my heart with gratitude - the 10th Anniversary of the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls! For an entire decade, we have been investing in organizations that empower girls and young women, helping them reach their fullest potential. We recently gathered with many of our longtime supporters for a wonderful anniversary brunch hosted at the beautiful home of our Board Secretary, Lisa Gilford.
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This month, I am also honored to be featured on the cover of the July issue of SPEAKERS Magazine. Inside the pages, I share my journey in television and my work with the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls. The issue is available now and I hope you'll take a look.
I also had an absolute blast as a guest on the podcast, How Hard Can It Be?, hosted by the talented actress Diana Maria Riva. We had an honest, funny, and heartfelt conversation about careers, menopause, and what it really means to live our best lives at every age. I can't wait for you to hear it, and I'll be sure to let you know as soon as the episode airs!
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And finally, I can't believe our SHE Leads: Empowering Nonprofit Leaders for Girls Conference is just around the corner! If you know a woman who leads a girl-centered nonprofit and should be in the room with us this September, please encourage her to reach out for more information by emailing SHELeads@shaunfoundationforgirls.org.
As always, thank you for being part of our S.H.A.U.N. Foundation family. We have packed this month's MAGNOLIA Monthly with inspiring stories, helpful resources, and exciting updates that I know you'll enjoy.
Happy reading, and have a wonderful July!
With gratitude,
Shaun
Shaun Robinson
President and Founder
S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls
| | “Teen girls rearrange the world.” — Tia Williams, Seven Days in June | | Event Spotlight: 10th Anniversary Brunch | Our hearts are still FULL from last month's celebration of the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls' 10th Anniversary! | We gathered with friends, supporters and champions of our mission for a festive brunch hosted by our amazing Board Secretary, Lisa Gilford, at her beautiful home. We are incredibly grateful to Lisa for creating such a special and memorable celebration as we reflected on a decade of impact. | | Thank you to everyone who joined us to mark this incredible milestone — and to the many friends who were there in spirit and sent their love and support. Your encouragement, partnership and belief in our mission have been crucial to our success. | Here's to the next decade of empowering underserved girls and young women! | | |
Tia Williams
New York Times Bestselling Author, NAACP Image Award Nominee & Former Beauty Editor
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If you're traveling or looking for a captivating beach read, add The Missed Connection, the newest release from Tia Williams, to your reading list!
It was love at first flight. Now she just has to find him.
An unexpected connection on a European flight sets one woman on a quest to find her handsome seatmate in this intensely romantic and delightfully sexy tale. Along the way, her search for love leads her to places - and possibilities - she never imagined.
Filled with wit, warmth and unforgettable characters, The Missed Connection is the perfect summer escape, whether you're reading poolside, on a plane or curled up at home.
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Ivy Walker
Serial Entrepreneur, Author & Risk Management Expert
Treasurer, S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls
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Girls' Leadership Guide: Financial Literacy for Mission-Driven Leaders: What You Need to Understand | |
You didn't start a nonprofit because you love spreadsheets. You started it because you believed girls needed something your organization could provide. So it's tempting to treat financial literacy as a checkbox—hire an accountant, trust your bookkeeper, let your board treasurer handle it. That's how good leaders lose control of their organizations.
Becoming financially literate doesn't mean you need the skills of a CFO. It means understanding the numbers well enough to know whether your organization is sustainable, whether your decisions align with your values, and whether you're solving the problem you set out to solve.
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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
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Healthy Her: I Asked Cardiologists About Bad Habits for Heart Health—The Answer Surprised Me | |
Dr. Morgan was recently interviewed by dietician Brierley Horton about an often-overlooked threat to heart health.
I’ve been a dietitian for nearly 20 years, so I’m fairly confident about most heart-health advice. Then I asked a cardiologist to name the worst habit for your heart—and their answer caught me off guard.
“One of the top things that people need to change to improve cholesterol, blood pressure and general health is their poor sleep patterns or habits,” says Jayne Morgan, M.D., cardiologist and vice president of medical affairs at Hello Heart. “Essentially any type of circadian disruption can alter lipid metabolism and blood pressure control.”
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Laura Saltman
Mindfulness, Meditation and Metaphysical Teacher
@laurasaltman
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Mindfulness Tip:
Elevator to Mindful Thinking
| Watch as you move out of uncomfortable emotions in just a few short minutes with this mindful brain hack meditation. | | |
Featured Fashion Brand: Peace & Love Jewelry | |
We're always inspired by brands with a positive message, which is why we're excited to spotlight Peace & Love Jewelry (@peaceandlovejewelry)!
Founded and designed by our friend, Nancy Davis, the collection is inspired by her belief that everyone deserves beauty in their life. From necklaces and earrings to bracelets, purses, watches, cufflinks and more, each piece is designed to reflect happiness and hope.
What makes the brand even more special is its commitment to giving back. A portion of their proceeds help support the Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing research and eradicating MS.
Shaun recently had the privilege of wearing one of Peace & Love's stunning necklaces at the annual Race to Erase MS fundraiser - making it the perfect opportunity to celebrate a brand that's making a difference through both fashion and philanthropy.
| | Breaking Barriers: This Month's Must-Reads | |
Meet Njideka Akunyili Crosby, the Artist Behind the Obamas' New Portrait | The Obama Presidential Center unveiled the first official joint portrait of the former president and first lady, created by acclaimed figurative artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby. | | |
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The 2026 BET Awards' Best Moments: Black Women Stole the Show | Keke Palmer, Teyana Taylor, Janet Jackson, Lauryn Hill and more helped make this year's BET Awards a night to remember, filled with major wins, heartfelt tributes and unforgettable moments. | | |
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All-Female Referee Team Make History at FIFA World Cup 2026 | This year's tournament marked another milestone as Tori Penso became only the second woman to referee a men's World Cup match and led the first all-American female officiating crew. | | |
| 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. | | | | |