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June is always a special month! It’s a time to celebrate milestones, family and the people who help shape our lives.
As Father's Day approaches, I find myself thinking about my daddy and missing him dearly. While I wish I could spend another Father's Day with him, I am grateful for the love, wisdom and life lessons he shared with me. Those lessons continue to guide me every day and will stay with me forever. To all the fathers, grandfathers, mentors, and father-figures who make a difference in the lives of young people, I wish you a wonderful and well-deserved Father's Day.
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This month also brought some joyful family celebrations. I traveled to Atlanta to celebrate my nephew, David, as he graduated from high school. We are incredibly proud of him as he prepares to begin the next chapter of his journey at Mississippi Valley State University. Not to be outdone, my four-year-old cousin Riley also reached a major milestone, graduating from Pre-K4! It was a reminder that every achievement - big or small - is worth celebrating.
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I also had the pleasure of attending my friend Leah Pump's annual Ladylike Foundation event, which continues to do meaningful work in the lives of girls and young women. Congratulations to my friend Shannon Nash, who was among this year's honorees, along with actress Lela Rochon.
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While working in New York, I had the opportunity to enjoy a night on Broadway and see my friends Taraji P. Henson and Cedric the Entertainer in August Wilson’s Joe Turner's Come and Gone. Their performances were outstanding, and the production was truly excellent.
We want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to S.H.A.U.N. Foundation Advisory Board member Dr. Jayne Morgan who served as editor of the first-ever issue of the Atlanta Medicine Journal that was devoted entirely to menopause. This groundbreaking publication is an important contribution to women's health and an accomplishment worthy of recognition.
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As many of you know, 2026 marks the 10th Anniversary of the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls. What began as a vision to empower underserved and underrepresented girls and young women has grown into a movement that has impacted thousands of lives across the country. We are deeply grateful to every donor, partner, volunteer, grantee and supporter who has been part of this journey. Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us create opportunities for girls to thrive.
We have more anniversary celebrations planned throughout the year, and we look forward to sharing them with you.
As always, if you would like to support our work, please consider making a donation at shaunfoundationforgirls.org/donate.
This issue is filled with inspiring stories, important updates and great articles that I know you'll enjoy.
Happy reading!
Shaun
Shaun Robinson
President and Founder
S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls
| | “My mother gave me my drive, but my father gave me my dreams.” — Liza Minnelli | | |
Partner Spotlight:
Divas with Disabilities
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We are thrilled to announce another new grantee partner, Divas with Disabilities (DWD) - an amazing nonprofit dedicated to amplifying the voices, leadership, and visibility of Black and Brown girls and women with disabilities.
Their work is rooted in creating pathways for empowerment, authentic representation, and meaningful community connection.
| | The S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls is honored to support their impactful programming, including the DWD Storytelling & Media Representation Initiative and Leadership, Mentorship & Entrepreneurial Skill-Building Circles, along with general operating support. | Through this partnership, we are helping create spaces where girls and women of color with disabilities are seen, heard, celebrated, and empowered to lead boldly in their communities and beyond. | | |
René Marsh
CNN National Correspondent, Journalist, Author, Speaker and Philanthropist
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In honor of Father’s Day, this month’s featured book is a meaningful read for dads to share with their little ones.
Written by René Marsh, The Nature of Change: Lessons of Determination, Resilience, and Hope from the Outside World is a poetic and heartfelt story about two siblings learning to navigate a difficult life change while holding on to hope.
Perfect for children ages 4 to 8 who need encouragement and wisdom in the face of challenges, The Nature of Change reminds young readers that while change isn't always easy, it can open the door to new possibilities.
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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: The Founder's Loneliness: Why You Need a Peer Group | |
You're making decisions that nobody else in your organization can make. You're holding the vision while managing the budget while navigating funder relationships while processing the weight of what you're trying to do for girls who need what you're offering. And you're doing it mostly alone.
This isn't metaphorical loneliness. It's the loneliness that comes with leadership.
Your board doesn't live this daily. Your staff looks to you for stability. Your funders want confidence, not doubt. Your family doesn't fully understand why you're this invested. So you compartmentalize. You perform competence. You try to figure it all out on your own.
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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: Menopause Is Not a Specialty. It Is a Shared Responsibility. | |
Medicine is organized by specialty. Menopause is not. And that disconnect is exactly where we are failing our patients.
A woman does not experience menopause through the lens of cardiology, endocrinology, gynecology, or psychiatry. She experiences it as a whole-body transition, one that affects how she sleeps, thinks, metabolizes, moves, and feels. Yet, when she enters the healthcare system, her care is fragmented across silos that were never designed to manage something this interconnected. The result is both predictable and unacceptable.
The problem is not a lack of expertise. It’s a lack of integration coupled with a lack of knowledge about menopause specifically, and women in general.
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Laura Saltman
Mindfulness, Meditation and Metaphysical Teacher
@laurasaltman
| | Mindfulness Tip: Journaling for Insight | Gain some insight and information to help understand the lessons of life with these 4 powerful journal prompt questions. | | |
Featured Fashion Brand: Soul Gems by Maria | |
Founded by our friend, Maria Elmore Harleston, Soul Gems by Maria (@soulgemsbymaria) is an everyday luxury jewelry brand inspiring women to present the most confident, empowered version of themselves. Featuring a hand-curated collection of new and vintage gold jewelry and gemstones, each piece is thoughtfully selected to celebrate individuality, beauty, and timeless style.
Shaun loves visiting their beautiful storefront in Martha's Vineyard whenever she’s on the island. Whether browsing in person or online, Soul Gems by Maria offers a personalized experience, helping each client discover jewelry that speaks to and reflects their SOUL.
| | Breaking Barriers: This Month's Must-Reads | |
Tori Penso to Make History as Head Referee at the Men's World Cup | Selected as one of the lead referees for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Tori Penso is set to become the first American woman to officiate a men’s World Cup match. | | |
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Elim Chan Becomes First Woman to Lead San Francisco Symphony | Hong Kong-born conductor Elim Chan has been named the next music director of the San Francisco Symphony, becoming the first woman to lead a U.S. 'Big 7' orchestra. | | |
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Mikala Sposito to Represent U.S. in World Welding Competition | At 21, Mikala Sposito will become the first U.S. female welder to advance to the WorldSkills Competition, often described as the Olympics of the skilled trades. | | |
| 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. | | | | |
