Happy September!

Friends, how did summer fly by so fast?! I hope you had a great holiday and that the last month was fun and relaxing.

These last weeks, for me, were very special because I got to spend them with family and friends - some, I had not seen in forever!

I just returned from my family reunion in Palmetto, Georgia—just outside Atlanta! There’s nothing like reconnecting with my roots, swapping stories, and soaking up the love of generations.

Earlier last month, I spent a lovely week in Martha’s Vineyard. That island holds such a rich history for African Americans, and being there with dear friends (including some of our amazing board members!) made it even more special.

Then, I went back to my hometown Detroit for my high school class reunion, and let me tell you—my classmates are still as beautiful and handsome as ever!

While in town, I had the chance to visit one of our very first grantees, Alternatives for Girls. They continue to do phenomenal work supporting young women, and I’m so proud we’ve been able to shine a light on their efforts.

So much for looking back, now, it is time to look FORWARD! It is back to work!

Our SHE Leads 2025 Conference is right around the corner, and we have an incredible lineup of speakers. I cannot wait to welcome the powerful women leaders traveling from across the country to strengthen sisterhood and collaboration among girl-centered nonprofits.

As always, your support makes all of this possible. You can help us continue this important work by visiting: shaunfoundationforgirls.org/donate.

Sending you, love!

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!

Girls Going Global has opened doors for hundreds of girls through cultural exchange, sisterhood, and global exploration. Next up: empowering 100 more Black girls with an immersive, life-changing travel experience!

🌍 Learn more: girlsgoingglobal.org/fill-a-plane

Girl Up is celebrating 15 years of empowering young women leaders and advancing gender justice worldwide—we’re proud to honor this milestone and their lasting impact! 

Kamala Harris

Former Vice President of the United States

Book of the Month

We can't wait to get our hands on this month’s must-read! 107 Days, the new memoir from former Vice President Kamala Harris, hits shelves September 23rd.

Harris goes behind the scenes of her historic 2024 presidential campaign, sharing candid insights, tough lessons, and the moments that shaped her journey.

As the first woman elected U.S. vice president and the first woman of color to lead a major party ticket, she reflects on the campaign’s challenges, legacy, and her enduring hope for the future.

From Competition to Coopetition:

A New Path Forward for Nonprofits Serving Girls of Color

As a leader of an organization dedicated to empowering girls of color, you know the landscape intimately. Every grant application can feel like a battle, every funding announcement draws dozens of similar organizations into competition, and every declined proposal stings a little more when resources are already stretched thin. But what if we've been approaching this all wrong?

Ivy Walker

Serial Entrepreneur, Author & Risk Management Expert

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

It's time for a paradigm shift. Rather than viewing other organizations serving girls of color as competitors fighting over scraps, let's consider embracing what business strategists call "coopetition". Coopetition is the intentional cultivation of cooperative relationships with perceived competitors. This approach isn't just idealistic, it's both practical, and potentially transformative for our communities.

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: The Bias in the 'Menopause is a Natural Part of Aging' Argument

Would you be surprised to learn that there is bias within our healthcare system against women? Not just in the way that the systems are run, but in the actual manner in which healthcare is delivered.

Women’s health has been relegated to reproduction only. We are guided to receive mammograms and pap smears (super important), but then all the rest of the organs in our bodies are ignored. It’s as if we do not have hearts, lungs, livers, brains. 

Would you be further surprised to learn that within the healthcare system (and outside of the healthcare system for that matter) many consider menopause to be a natural process of aging? Therefore, no attention should be directed toward improving this aging process, nor providing relief from the more than 35 symptoms (and counting) of perimenopause and menopause. 

Mindfulness Tip: Mindful in a Minute

Sometimes there’s just no time to meditate or take a walk in nature. So how can we calm our nervous system and regulate ourselves during a hectic day? Try a 10-5-3 mindfulness break!

Laura Saltman

Mindfulness, Meditation and Metaphysical Teacher

@laurasaltman

LaDonna Whittingham

Costume Designer

Local705 Film/TV Costumer and Wardrobe Stylist

The Edit: Designer Highlight

Elisa Johnson has carved out her own lane, and her eyewear brand is turning heads. Trendsetters and celebs alike are rocking her shades! Proof that the right pair can instantly elevate any look. Check her IG (@elisajohnson.co) for more bold style inspiration!

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.