Happy November, Friends!

As we step into this beautiful season of gratitude and reflection, I just want to say how thankful I am for YOU. Your support of the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls—your encouragement, generosity, and belief in our mission—has helped us uplift so many girls and young women this year. From all of us…THANK YOU!

This month, I’m thrilled to welcome a new face (and dear friend) to our Advisory Board — Chrisette Hudlin! Chrisette has been a champion in the philanthropic space for many years, and I’m so excited for the heart, wisdom, and insight she’ll bring to our foundation.

I also want to take a moment to celebrate one of our amazing Advisory Board members - Areva Martin - who was just inducted into the John M. Langston Bar Association Hall of Fame! Areva is a powerhouse — a respected civil rights attorney, advocate, and the Founder of the Special Needs Network, which supports families impacted by autism. We couldn’t be prouder of her and all the work she continues to do for underserved communities.

This month’s Partner Spotlight is especially exciting — we’re highlighting Daughters Beyond Incarceration, the winner of our $10,000 SHE Leads 2025 conference grant! Their work supporting girls with incarcerated parents is truly life-changing and perfectly embodies what we stand for: hope, resilience, and empowerment.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I hope your days are filled with good food, warm laughter, and moments that remind you how blessed you are. We’re deeply grateful for your continued support and partnership—it truly makes our work possible.

And don’t forget: Giving Tuesday is coming up on December 2nd! It’s a wonderful opportunity to keep the spirit of giving going. You can make your contribution at shaunfoundationforgirls.org/donate.

With gratitude and love,

Shaun

Shaun Robinson

President and Founder

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

Partner Spotlight

We’re excited to introduce our newest nonprofit partner and SHE Leads grant recipient, Daughters Beyond Incarceration (DBI)!

DBI is doing incredible work mentoring and empowering girls with incarcerated parents — helping them find their voices, advocate for themselves, stay connected with their parents, and build bright futures.

We’ve loved getting to know their amazing team, who joined us at both our inaugural and 2nd Annual SHE Leads Conferences. Their passion and dedication inspire us every day!

We’re proud to partner with Daughters Beyond Incarceration and to support the life-changing impact they’re making in the lives of these girls.

Dr. Monique Couvson

Award-winning Author, Scholar & Documentarian

President & CEO, G4GC

Book of the Month

If you want to understand why our mission matters, pick up our dear friend Dr. Monique Couvson's newest book, Girls, Unlimited!

Building on her research showing how schools systematically fail Black girls,

Dr. Couvson examines how society often overlooks the needs of all girls. Through personal stories, interviews, and global perspectives, she offers practical guidance for parents, policymakers, and communities.

Girls, Unlimited makes a compelling case for investing in girls, showing how supporting them benefits everyone—and charts a hopeful path toward a world where every girl can thrive.

Closing One Chapter, Opening Another: Year-End Reflection and Planning for Girl-Serving Organizations

As the end of the year approaches, nonprofit leaders serving girls of color face a unique moment: the space between reflection and renewal. This transition period offers more than administrative housekeeping; it's an opportunity to ground your organization's future in the lessons of the present.

Creating Space for Honest Reflection

Ivy Walker

Serial Entrepreneur, Author & Risk Management Expert

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

Begin by gathering your team for candid conversations about the past year. What programs deepened their impact? Where did your girls show up differently than expected? Which partnerships strengthened your work, and which drained resources without proportional return?

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: How Should We Think About Home Blood Pressure Monitoring?

Doctors’ are increasingly recognizing the value of home blood pressure monitoring, and so should you. In fact, not only physicians, but medical professional organizations, and scientific regulatory agencies have home blood pressure monitoring on their radars.

Why is this? When you enter your physician’s office and have your blood pressure measured, it could be just a snapshot in time for many people. In other words, the value of your blood pressure at 11:00 a.m. on a Tuesday morning, may or may not be an accurate reflection of your true blood pressure. 

Mindfulness Tip: Navigating Energy Vampires

Banana-Apple-Tree…BAT! Your secret weapon against energy vampires—those who leave you feeling emotionally off balance. By picturing them as something completely neutral, you can stay centered and protect your energy.

Laura Saltman

Mindfulness, Meditation and Metaphysical Teacher

@laurasaltman

LaDonna Whittingham

Costume Designer

Local705 Film/TV Costumer and Wardrobe Stylist

The Edit: Designer Highlight

Meet Nichole Lynel (@nicholelynel) — entrepreneur, designer and boutique owner with over a decade in fashion. She’s launched a new page, “The Edit by NL,” your go-to for fresh trends, holiday style, and looks that get you hooked. Check it out and get into it for the season! 

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.