Happy March!

March is synonymous with springtime and fresh beginnings… although the weather clearly didn’t get the memo. Two feet of snow on the East Coast and 80-degree sunshine in the West? Wherever you are, I hope you’re finding a little relief and a little joy.

I’m especially excited about this month because it marks the beginning of Women’s History Month. What began as Women’s History Week in 1982 became a national celebration when leaders finally recognized what we’ve always known - seven days simply aren’t enough to honor the impact and contributions of women.

And this month, we have so much to celebrate.

First, congratulations to the phenomenal women of Team USA who returned home from the Winter Olympics with new “jewelry” and I’m, of course, talking about their medals! We are incredibly proud of your strength, discipline, and brilliance on the world stage.

Inside this issue, we continue lifting up powerful women making meaningful impact. Our Board Treasurer, Ivy Walker, shares important insights about the growing AI gap in the nonprofit sector. If you are a nonprofit leader, I strongly encourage you to take her survey and be part of shaping solutions.

We’re also thrilled to welcome a special guest contributor to our fashion segment: Board of Advisors member Marissa Nance who is my dear friend and truly one of the most stylish women I know. She’s got some great, affordable fashions to share with us.

And I’m beyond excited to spotlight my friend Amy Barnett, whose new book, If I Ruled the World, is currently being adapted for television. Congratulations, Amy!

On a personal note, February was full of inspiring moments. I attended a fabulous fashion show on Rodeo Drive with Advisory Board Member Nicole Duncan. Her husband, Tommy, is the CEO, creator, and designer behind High Risk — a high-end comfort wear and accessories line that beautifully blends style and ease.

I also had the pleasure of attending the American Black Film Festival Honors, celebrating excellence in film and television. It was a powerful reminder of the creative brilliance within our community.



There is so much inspiration packed into this month’s MAGNOLIA Monthly.

Happy Reading! 🌸

Shaun

Shaun Robinson

President and Founder

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

Impact in Action: Grantee News Reel

At the heart of our mission is supporting nonprofits that create real change for girls and women every day. See what some of our incredible partners have been up to!

Last month, the Youth Policy Fellows of Daughters Beyond Incarceration brought their voices to Washington, DC.

With courage, clarity, and lived experience, these young women facilitated Lessons in Liberation, a powerful workshop centered on supporting girls with incarcerated parents.

At a recent Latinitas Day Camp, girls learned the basics of interior design and then brought their dream rooms to life!

Amy DuBois Barnett

Award-Winning Media Executive & Author

Book of the Month

This month, we're excited to feature pioneering media executive Amy DuBois Barnett's debut novel, If I Ruled the World!

Inspired by Barnett's trailblazing career as the first Black woman to lead a major mainstream magazine in the U.S., this vibrant story pulls back the curtain on the cutthroat world of hip-hop music and the glamorous magazine scene of the late 1990s.

The protagonist, Nikki Rose, dares to imagine a life defined by her own rules - navigating ambition, friendship, love, and self-discovery along the way. It’s all about owning your voice and believing your dreams matter. Get your copy today and keep an eye out for If I Ruled the World on the TV screen!

The AI Gap in Nonprofits: What the Data Says and What We Want to Hear from You

The AI revolution is real. But for many small nonprofits, it can feel like watching a parade from the sidewalk. The tools are multiplying, the think-pieces are piling up, and everyone seems to be doing something with artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, your team is still running on spreadsheets, stretched budgets, and goodwill. But don’t worry, you are far from alone.

Where Things Stand

Ivy Walker

Serial Entrepreneur, Author & Risk Management Expert

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

The headline numbers can be misleading. According to oft-cited research, 92% of nonprofits now report using AI in some form. But that number hides a much more important one: only 7% describe their use as strategic, meaning they are seeing real ROI and measurable mission impact. The rest are experimenting, dabbling, or simply asking ChatGPT to clean up an email now and then.

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: Top 5 Reasons Heart Disease Remains Deadly for Women

1. Delay in Recognition

A woman’s symptoms of heart disease may be different from a man’s. She may not have crushing chest pain, and shortness of breath. She may just feel tired or worn out. Or may have nausea or back pain. She is also less likely to have an EKG on her record than a man, further delaying care.

2. Delay in Care

Because there is a delay in recognition of a heart attack happening in a woman, the urgent/emergent care needed is often missed in favor of a more cautious and less aggressive approach. This might entail the drawing of labs to review, or even being presumed to be having an anxiety attack.

Mindfulness Tip: 60 Second Focus

Having trouble focusing? Try this 60 second exercise to gain a hold of your mind and brain. 

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 Brand:

Harlem's Fashion Row

Harlem's Fashion Row (HFR) is dedicated to discovering, showcasing, and supporting designers of color. They are led by the vision of founder Brandice Daniels. One of their most inspired programs is collaborations between name fashion brands and growing designers.

Their latest collaboration is with Gap Inc, where five designers share their take on denim, beyond jeans. The 20-piece denim collection featuring corsets, shirts, bomber jackets, and skirts is designed by Daveed Baptiste, Igdaliah Pickering, LaTouché, Nicole Benefield, and Waina Chancy. You’ll see the final items are FIRE. Take a look below and at the link.

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.