SOT YOUNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER Issue 4

SOT YOUniversity

Newsletter

Winter 2015 /2016

EMPOWERING WOMEN AND GIRLS IN THIS ISSUE

Sisters of Today and Tomorrow (SOT) recently guest hosted girls from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County, GA, to attend the Rainbow Push Youth Summit, in Atlanta, Georgia. The organization also partnered with YALE Heritage Theatre Ensemble (HTE) in New Haven, Connecticut for the workshop and play of “For Colored Girls Who Considered Suicide when the rainbow is enuf” by Ntozake Shange.

Partnering with two organizations provided a pel0thra of experiences for both sets of girls involved with SOT, who were more than 1,000 miles apart.

In Atlanta, the experience was overwhelming for the girls, whose facial expressions spoke

volumes. Visiting the Hyatt Regency was a first for them and the decorum, including the glass elevators just blew them away.

Before the Summit began, I shared the history of Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., and Rainbow Push, as well as the importance of being open to receiving all information provided to them for their development. The girls smiled and agreed to be open to the opportunities bestowed upon them.

The coding and college workshops, were included in the Youth Summit, along with the sports luncheon, where the girls were exposed to fine dining and empowerment speeches from Reverend Jackson, Former NFL Player Dextor Clinkscale, Former MLB player Charles Johnson, Reginald Humphrey of General Motors, Poet Hank Stewart and more.

After the Summit, the girls toured the hotel, where they rode the glass elevators to the top floor of the hotel, and discovered the rotating restaurant Polaris. Their excitement was refreshing, as they viewed the entire City of Atlanta, through the restaurant’s windows.

(Continue on p. 4)

SOT at YALE University Page 4

SOT with Rev. Jesse Jackson .

Page 4

EXPOSURE IS EVERYTHING… by Carla Morrison @CarlaMorrison

SOT YOUNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER | Issue 4 2

Photos by Donna Permell

Atlanta, Georgia.-- Sisters of Today and Tomorrow (SOT) hosted its 8th Annual National Leadership Conference for Girls, "WE MATTER II, Sharing Our Story", at Georgia Tech, last Summer.

The day long program included fun interactive workshops with over 20 facilitators / mentors engaging the young ladies through-out the day on leadership development, goal-setting, health & wellness, self-esteem building and more.

Conference highlights included: Fashion Show with 16 yr. old designer "Amari & Mari Co.”; My Image on Social Media workshop; a campus tour; powerful Sisters Circle

and a creative writing workshop, where the essay contest winner was presented with a $500 scholarship

from Denny’s. #WEMATTERII

INSPIRATION SPONSOR

Health & Wellness with Natlyn and Dr. Wells.

Learning about the development of her body

Touring the campus of GA Tech.

SOT’S 8TH ANNUAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE FOR GIRLS

“WE MATTER II” SHARING OUR STORY

by Carla Morrison

SOT YOUNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER | Issue 4 3

Dr. Sherri Allen, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

with daughter Avah and SOT Founder Carla Morrison.

Avah recites “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou during the Self Esteem Workshop.

SOT Alumni Saleigh Derico, (now a Spelman

student) joins SOT Conference to share.

Sister Scribes and SOT Essay Contest winners

with sponsor, RWDT Operating Co. dba Denny’s.

SISTERS CIRCLE HIGHLIGHTS IN GAINESVILLE GEORGIA.

“AWAKENING THE DREAM IN ME”

Sisters Circle with Dr. Law Dr. Law and her mother, Ms. Frances breaks down barriers with the girls in the Sisters Circle.

The Village The collaborative efforts of Sisters of Today and Tomorrow, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County, Delta Sigma Theta of Hall County and Dr. Tameeka Law, led to a powerful half day workshop in Gainesville, Georgia.

“Awakening the Dream in Me” with SOT’s Terri Lewis.

SOT Sisters Circle “Awakening the Dream in Me” participants receive a certificate of completion.

SOT YOUNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER | Issue 4 4

A Word From Our Founder

by Carla Morrison

@CarlaMorrison

How Loud Are Your Actions ?

‘’Your actions speak louder than words.’’ Those were the words of wisdom imparted to me by Ms. Wilson, my first grade teacher. Forty years later, that statement resonates louder than ever.

My actions say, I am about the business of empowering girls to become goal-oriented young leaders. What drives me is a natural desire to help those, who have the will to do and be great, by providing them exposure and access to my personal & professional network.

People often tell me what a good thing I am doing in the community and how I’m helping so many young people. Often times, it’s hard for me to see it, because I’m so deep in the trenches and the results of my actions aren’t immediate; Yet I persevere.

My passion to help and mentor others is deeply rooted in my DNA; however, the fuel that keeps me going is God and the giving people he sends my way. Will your actions help support our girls ?

Sisters of Today and Tomorrow gratefully acknowledges the support of the following corporations, organizations and individual partners. Your investment in SOT is an investment in developing girls. 94.3 WYBC Aaron's Atlanta Brand Central Bettye Morrison BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc. Body Workers LLC. Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County

Boys & Girls Club of New Haven Brenda Neal, AT&T Buck Collins CakesbyTatyana.com Carla Morrison

Carolyn Clark Chit Chat Communications Chris Burke Denny's Donald McAulay

Donna Permell, Prime Phocus Dr. Tameeka Law Dunkin Donuts Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta Final Call Newspaper Gainesville Bowling Center Georgia Tech Office of Government & Community Relations Hot 93.7 Howard Morrison Photography Inner City Newspaper James “Jay” Bailey Janice Parker Crudup Jeanette Morrison Jordan Johnson Joseph Green Kellogg's Kevin Flegler

Kilwin’s at Atlantic Station Kroger Lisandra Samuels

Mary Moore McDonald’s on Whalley Avenue Michelle Myers Nikki Young NewHavenIndependent.org New Haven Register Orsella Cooper-Hughes Publix QueMillar Payne Rainbow Push Reggie Rouse Rising Roll Rodney Williams Rolling Out Shannon Flowers Stacey Hobson-Johnson Starbuck’s in New Haven Stop & Shop Subway Tammi Jackson-Bolden Tara Walters

V103 YALE Heritage Theatre Ensemble Zaxby's in Gainesville

(Continued from page 1, ‘Exposure is Everything’)

While the young ladies in Georgia, were experiencing the Youth Summit, SOT New Haven was visiting the African American Cultural Center at YALE University, where they engaged in “For Colored Girls” workshop with YALE Heritage Theatre Ensemble (HTE). The girls had an insightful discussion with members of HTE about black women and their lack of visibility in society. They also learned how performance can act as a vehicle for self-expression.

A few weeks later, SOT hosted its Mommy, Mentor & Me outing during “For Colored Girls Who Considered Suicide when the rainbow is enuf” play and talk back, where Sisters of Today and Tomorrow met the entire cast of the play. Being exposed to these

opportunities, can make the difference in a young girl’s life. Let’s continue to expose, empower and inspire girls.

Supporting Sisters of Today and Tomorrow through partnerships, sponsorships and donations are ways to ensure you are providing exposure that will impact a girl’s life. www.sistersoftodayandtomorrow.org

SOT YOUNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER | Issue 4 5

SOT MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

As the winner of Sisters of Today and Tomorrow’s essay contest, during SOT’s Leadership Conference for Girls last Summer in Atlanta, De’sha, a high school senior in Henry County, Georgia., was awarded a $500 scholarship from Denny’s. De’sha’s essay was well written and included a detailed plan as to what her goals are and how she plans to achieve them. We are proud De’sha is a part of SOT and look forward to helping her on her entreprenuerial journey. (See part of De’sha’s essay)

by De’sha Winslow

Since I was a young child, my dream has always been to become an entrepreneur. Because I have a passion for cooking and making others happy, I would love to incorporate my love of culinary arts and baking. Eventually, I plan to own my own bakery. Since I plan to start my own business, I believe learning fundamental business skills will be beneficial. Therefore, I plan to attend college with a major in Business Administration or Entrepreneurship and a minor in Culinary or Baking and Pastry Arts. While earning my degree, I intend to work part time at a bakery and during the summers, work as an intern in a bakery. A starter position will help me learn from others in my field of interest. Successful entrepreneurs often work for others in their field of choice before striking out on their own. Spending a few years in the industry under an excellent mentor

will provide a good base. During this time, I can learn from my mistakes and brainstorm about how to improve once I begin my own business.

Additionally, this experience will help build my reputation in the culinary and business fields.

My Experience with SOT New Haven Conference

by Bryanna Moore I gained a lot of knowledge from this conference. I learned about the importance of not procrastinating at school, the family life cycle and the dynamics of family.

I discovered that the qualities of a strong family include building trust between family members and establishing traditions.

Creating goals for yourself and being confident in your ability to be competent in a particular study are qualities of leadership. Leadership is being able to lead others and guide them towards accomplishments they wish to achieve. A good leader considers their mentor’s opinion and /or idea. A leader must not only be able to lead their team in the right direction, but

rely on the individual strengths of their team to succeed.

This experience was very enriching and I would like to thank those who made this opportunity possible.

The Meaning of Leadership

by Tremaine Hall

“What does leadership mean to me?”

There are many definitions of leadership, but to me it means being able to stand out above others in a positive way. Having the ability to take control of situations and turn it around for the better.

When I grow up, I would like to be able to own a business focusing around dance. So by going to this leadership workshop I plan to learn how to go about business situations with the many leadership skills, I plan to learn about throughout the day in the SOT New Haven Leadership Conference.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact: Carla Morrison, (404) 319-2130 Sisters of Today & Tomorrow PO Box 54066 Atlanta, Georgia. 30308 sistersoftodayandtomorrow@gmail.com www.sistersoftodayandtomorrow.org

SOT YOUNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER | Issue 4 6

News woman Michelle Turner says she uses her talent as a reporter to expose the injustices.

SISTERS CIRCLE HIGHLIGHTS IN NEW HAVEN, CT.

”DOES BLACK LIVES MATTER?”

New Haven Board of Aldermen Official Citation presentation to Sisters of Today and Tomorrow

Erica Lynn of Hot 93.7 shares with SOT New Haven.

We Matter!

(l-r) Alexandria Givan, Angela Carter, Deborah Busch, Jeanette Morrison, Babz Rawls-Ivy, Tanya Poole-Hughes. Sister Love: The women of Zeta, AKA and Delta came together to empower our girls. Giving back is what they do.

SOT New Haven

Mentoring At Its Best!

Circle of Mentors with

SOT New Haven

Your tax-deductible contribution is an investment in our girls.

Donate today! www.sistersoftodayandtomorrow.org

SOT YOUNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER | Issue 4 7

Sisters of Today and Tomorrow-New Haven hosted its 2nd annual Leadership Conference for Girls at City Hall in New Haven, Connecticut last winter, in partnership with Alder-Woman Jeanette Morrison of Ward 22-NH.

Highlights included: Lunch with a Leader – Mayor Toni Harp; Chat with an Entrepreneur, featuring Business Leader Roberta Hoskie; Zumba, with Fitness Guru Chaila “Cameo” Gilliams of Body Workers LLC., and a powerful Sisters Circle with a woman judge, lawyer, police officer, social worker, journalist, radio personality and other prominent women in the community, topic: “DOES BLACK LIVES MATTER?”.

Since the New Haven Conference, Sisters of Today and Tomorrow was honored by Pastor Sharon Burns & Kingdom Mantles Ministry Jewels & Gems Women’s Conference, in New London, Connecticut.

“Preparing for College” with SOT Alumni Jasmine Lopes, who attends

Howard University.

Family Life Cycle with Alexandria Givan

Vision Board Creation

Photos by: Howard Morrison

Lunch with a Leader

Chat with an Entrepreneur

Get Fit with Body Workers LLC.

SOT New Haven Leadership Conference for Girls

“WE MATTER”

SOT YOUNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER Issue 4

SOT YOUniversity

Newsletter

PO Box 54066 Atlanta, Georgia. 30308

www.sistersoftodayandtomorrow.org

SOT New Haven PO Box 8334

New Haven, Connecticut. 06530

Carla Morrison Founder / Executive Director

Sisters of Today and Tomorrow

Sisters of Today and

Tomorrow transforms the lives of girls and the women who raise them, through innovative

programs that focus on self-esteem, education, health and fitness and careers/

entrepreneurship. We strive to connect girls in our program with mentors and career

professionals based on their interests. Our goal is to awaken and inspire the dreams of the

girls in our program. ”Sisters of Today and Tomorrow”

(SOT) a 501C(3) nonprofit organization, is a direct result of community programs Carla

Morrison has produced since 2003.

The official launch of Sisters of Today & Tomorrow took place in

Atlanta, Georgia, October 1, 2008, establishing itself as a leading grassroots organization

with global connections.

For daily updates on SOT, follow us: www.twitter.com/SistersofToday

www.instagram.com/SistersofToday Log onto: www.sistersoftodayandtomorrow.org

Email: info@sistersoftodayandtomorrow.org Telephone: (404) 319-2130