SISTER TO SISTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

STSI & Mission:

Founded in 1994 by Cheryl Brannan and her family, Sister to Sister International, Inc. (STSI) is a nonprofit, non-governmental 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization with a singular focus: to educate and advocate for the advancement of Black women, women of color, girls, and their families locally and globally. Headquartered in Yonkers, NY—one of the most densely populated cities in Westchester County with a majority-minority population including numerous communities of color—STSI works to empower those it serves and ensure their safety, rights, and well-being.

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Locally, our program effort is anchored by our groundbreaking STEM and STEAM offerings where middle and high school girls are introduced to the world of science and math through a cultural lens, including advance introduction to these subjects by accomplished professionals that serve as role models. This ultimately enhances their self-confidence and competency, as well as, life and career choices. In 2010 STSI offered the first ever STEM/STEAM summer camp in the Lower Hudson Valley New York region for Black and Brown Girls. This has since matured into a highly acclaimed year-round academy.

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The program has had a life altering impact on the outlook of over 1,000 girls and their families.

Globally, STSI has held Special Consultative Status with the United Nations since 2004. There, we co-host an annual United Nations Commission on the status of women global event.

 

Recently, in 2019 STSI undertook a seminal research project, “Still I Rise: Status of Black Women and Girls in Westchester County” to better understand the scope of the issues facing Black women and girls in Westchester County.

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The research was driven by four pillars of inquiry that have led to a report and the creation of collective impact workgroups with diverse stakeholders including business, government, community, academic and faith-based organizations.

The four program areas include: STEM/STEAM Education (our original pillar); Health & Wellness with a special focus on Black Maternal Health; Juvenile and Social Justice; and Entrepreneurship, Pay Equity and Economic Prosperity. In these efforts we work with several key community partners to achieve collective impact.

 

STSI Accomplishments At-A-Glance:

• Funded over forty (40) Reach for the Stars Scholarships over the last ten (10) years.

• Sponsored and executed thirteen (13) Annual STEAM Summer Camps and eight (8) year-round academies for Black Girls and Girls of Color.

• Created the Westchester Black Maternal Health and Child Center of Excellence (WBMCCE) in partnership with St. John’s Riverside Hospital and various community partners to educate and train expectant mothers, their families and health care providers to improve birth outcomes for Black women.

  • Advocated for change through the Momnibus Act; Created a Pre-eclampsia Campaign; Created a County-wide dashboard highlighting birthing statistics;

• Launched the Black Online Business Directory for Westchester County and beyond with over 120 registered businesses. The directory may be found online - s2si.org/BBD

• Raised parent and community awareness of the unequal treatment of Black and Brown girls in the school environment by hosting private screenings of films like "Pushout" and “On These Grounds” with over 500 participants.

• Conducted eight (8) workshops for parents to advance their knowledge on the issues of equity and inclusion and how to develop their civic voice, to advocate on behalf of their children in a school and community environment.

• Hosted over ten (10) financial literacy, lunch and learn and pay equity workshops.

• Hosted two (2) informational workshops for Minority Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) certification .

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STSI IS ON THE MOVE