OUR HISTORY
Sister to Sister International, Inc. (STSI) was founded in 1994 as a family group and has since grown into a network of hundreds of women globally, from diverse backgrounds including grassroots, professionals, entrepreneurs, elected officials, students and activists from around the world.
Sister to Sister International, Inc, (STSI) is governed by a twenty-one member Board of Directors along with an International Advisory Board.
STSI implements its activities through volunteer committees and special programs, related to the organization’s mission, which are produced throughout the year. Members are the life force of the organization and are invited to attend quarterly membership meetings, along with signature events.
Sister to Sister International, Inc. (STSI) holds Special Consultative Status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council. STSI is affiliated with the Department of Public Information and collaborates with the World Health Organization on health campaigns. We support the United Nations Platform for Action on Women and its objectives regarding Race and Gender Equality, Development and Peace, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.
THE BOARD
Sister to Sister International, Inc. is led by a diverse group of board members over the past twenty-five years. Germaine Scott serves as the Board Chairperson and the diverse demographic of women that serve on our board have been a major asset and include, inter-generational, grassroots, health, academia, spiritual, international and political, expertise and experiences, among others. We also have an International Advisory Board with accomplished, experienced leaders in the business and professional world. We have been able to stay-the-course despite the financial challenges and hardships that we, like many nonprofits in the US have experienced, over the past seven years. We believe our future is bright, as we make progress toward our goals.
View All Board Member Profiles
BOARD MEMBERS
(in alpha order)
Donna Bell, Melissa Bess, Brenda Bracey, Cheryl Brannan,
Angela Campbell, Vera Cheek, E. Adell Dowdy, Charmaine Golding,
Dana Johnson Sutton, Zenobia Kelly,
Lisa LeFever Booker, Subomi Macaulay, Pearl Quarles, Darlene Russell, Germaine Scott, Zelda Strong-Diaz, Mabel Takona, Marcia White Smith
PROUD HISTORICAL MILESTONES AT-A-GLANCE
1985
FOUNDER CHERYL BRANNAN TRAVELS TO AFRICA
1985
Prior to the formation of STSI, Cheryl Brannan travels to Africa for the first time, attending the Third World Conference on Women in Nairobi, Kenya as a non-governmental UN Delegate. The Nairobi Forward Looking Strategies, a blue print for the advancement of women was adopted.
1987
SISTER TO SISTER PRODUCTIONS TRAVELS GOES ON A MISSION
1987
Cheryl Brannan establishes Sister to Sister Productions and travels to West Africa adopting villages; delivering school and medical supplies. They also initiate an African clothing line featuring their designs made by tailors. The African Fashion Shows are hosted in Yonkers, New Jersey and Maryland.
The family continues to re-connect with their history including travels to Senegal and Ghana with Professors Leonard Jeffries and Eugenia Bain, as well as noted historian
Dr. John Henrik Clarke.
1993
STSI IS
ESTABLISHED
1993
Sister to Sister Productions, a family group evolves into Sister to Sister International, with a mission to “link women of African descent globally to various resources that connect, advance and strengthen them.” They begin doing this through advocacy, education and the promotion of African culture. Developing healthy lifestyles becomes a cornerstone of the organization.
1994
STSI SPONSORS IT'S FIRST EVENTS
1994
STSI sponsors its First Annual Health Symposium, including an UJAMAA Marketplace of vendors, which becomes a signature event, held at Riverside High School, Yonkers, N.Y.
STSI sponsors its first Kwanzaa Celebration featuring Dr. Eugenia Bain at the Yonkers YWCA.
1997
STSI ATTENDS THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN IN BEIJING, CHINA
1997
STSI Founder & CEO Cheryl Brannan travels to Asia for the first time, attending the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China as a non-governmental UN Delegate.
The Beijing Platform for Action was adopted into the organization.
2000
STSI SPONSORS ITS FIRST UN DAY
2000
STSI sponsors its first UN Day during the Commission on the Status of Women’s 44th session, including a Student UN Tour & Briefing, Thematic Workshop and Networking Reception; with women and UN Dignitaries from around the world. This becomes a signature event and collaborative effort with key global NGO UN partners, annually.
2002
STSI PARTNERS WITH THE UNITED NATIONS
2002
STSI is granted Special Consultative Status with the UN Department of Public Information and Economic Social Council, becoming an official partner.
2003
STSI SECURES A HOME OFFICE ADMIN RESOURCES
2003
STSI secures office space, part-time staff and consultants STSI launches a
“Maama Kit Campaign” safe birthing initiative for women in Africa with the World Health Organization, the Links Incorporated and various community partners, raising funds to sponsor over 3,000 kits!
STSI sponsors a “Law Day” reviewing legal issues and processes with members of the community; Spearheaded by STSI member and noted civil rights attorney
Gail Wright Sirmans, Esq.
2004
STSI ANNOUNCES THE
DAISY S. GEORGE AWARD
2004
STSI announces the Daisy S. George Award, at its UN Day Networking Reception, to honor the legacy of an outstanding humanitarian and public servant at the UN and beyond.
STSI members & family first Bar-B-Q is held at Kingsland Pointe Park
STSI hosts its first Holiday Party & Charity Event, New Rochelle, N.Y.
STSI sponsors a Community Education Forum, with Academic Pathways for students and parents at the Yonkers Riverfront Library.
2005
STSI SPONSORS HEALTHY WEEKEND EXTRAVAGANZA
2005
STSI is granted Special Consultative Status with the UN Department of Public Information and Economic Social Council, becoming an official partner.
2007
STSI HOST GALA AWARD DINNER
2007
STSI Gala Awards Dinner, “Queen of the Nile” award recipients: STSI Founding Family Group members, Jeanette Ray and Rose Taylor, receive Distinguished Award Recognition.
Third Annual High Tea event is held “Saluting Octogenarians” with Special Guest Mistress of Ceremonies, Phylicia Rashad, at the Royal Regency Hotel, Yonkers, N.Y.
2008
STSI ESTABLISHES NEW CONNECTIONS
2008
STSI Delegation travels to Senegal and the Gambia to visit STSI projects and establish new connections.
2009
STSI SUPPORTS HEALTHCARE REFORM
2009
STSI is granted Special Consultative Status with the UN Department of Public Information and Economic Social Council, becoming an official partner.
2010
STSI SPONSORS ITS FIRST STEM CAMP & RESTRUCTURES
2010
STSI sponsors its first annual STEM Camp for Black & Latina girls in partnership with Academic Pathways.
STSI re-structures and elects
Laverne Johnson, Board Chair.
Funded by the Westchester Community Foundation for a 3 Year Faith Based Health Initiative with the Kingdom Baptist Church, in Yonkers to promote healthy lifestyles among parishioners and members of the community.
2011
STSI SPONSORS
STEM CAMP IN NIGERIA
2011
STSI sponsors a STEM Camp for high school students from Lagos State Government in Nigeria with a local NGO partner. Camp was designed by STSI Founder & CEO, Cheryl Brannan with support from Nigerian born, STSI Board Member, Subomi Macaulay.
2012
STATEFARM BECOMES A
STSI PARTNER & SPONSOR
2012
The Supreme Court upholds the ACA and the theme for STSI’s Healthy Weekend Extravaganza is:
“Affordable Care Act: Access, Prevention & Career Opportunities”
State Farm becomes a STEM Camp Precious Partner and Sponsor.
2013
STSI ATTENDS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY MARCH ON WASHINGTON & BECOMES A NYS HEALTH AMBASSADOR
2013
STSI sponsors its first annual STEM Camp for Black & Latina girls in partnership with Academic Pathways.
STSI re-structures and elects
Laverne Johnson, Board Chair.
Funded by the Westchester Community Foundation for a 3 Year Faith Based Health Initiative with the Kingdom Baptist Church, in Yonkers to promote healthy lifestyles among parishioners and members of the community.
2014
STSI CELEBRATES MAJOR MILESTONES
2014
STSI celebrates its 20th Anniversary with a Benefit Gala and sponsors its 5th Annual STEM Camp presenting five “REACH for the STARS” scholarships.
“Vendor & Craft Fair” was executed with a focus of promoting small businesses and entrepreneurship at the Nepperhan Community Center.
We are proud to unveil this baseline research report that provides a snapshot on Black women and girls in Westchester County. This report entitled,
“Still I Rise”
is an extension of our work that began in 2015 with the Obama White House Council on Women and Girls. We have since utilized a collective impact framework and built a cross-section of over 25 stakeholders, working collaboratively to improve outcomes for Black women and girls in Westchester related to STEM, STEAM and Health Curricula and Careers; Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Maternal Health and Healthy Lifestyles; Suspensions, Trauma & the Juvenile Justice System and Entrepreneurship, Pay Equity and Economic Prosperity.
This groundbreaking research is meant to bolster our efforts and assist us in managing by fact. This report is also a testament to the resilience of Black women and girls, many of whom have achieved against the odds, rising to key positions, in government, like the Hon. Andrea Stewart Cousins, NYS Senate Majority Leader. She is the first woman to hold this position in NYS, as well as other Black women who have been trailblazers in the judicial, business, academia, and the arts, to name a few.