New York City Public Schools, My Sister’s Keeper (MSK) Bronx Committee, along with the Office of the Bronx Borough President, hosted the “My Sister’s Keeper ‘Unconference’,” on Wednesday, March 27, in North Riverdale. Over 1,000 students from schools across The Bronx filled the Hayes Auditorium on the campus of the University of Mount St. Vincent, located at 6301 Riverdale Avenue, as various girl and women leaders from different backgrounds were honored and encouraged to continue their work.

 

MSK is an NYC Department of Education (DOE) initiative to promote gender equity, to empower and engage girls and young women in grades 4-12, including cisgender, transgender, gender expansive, and any other students who identify with the terms “girl“ or “women.”

“Our young children and teens deserve every opportunity available to acquire the skills needed to thrive and prosper as adults,” said Gibson. “Through the ‘My Sister’s Keeper Unconference,’ we spoke directly to over 1,000 girls and young women across the Bronx about our unwavering commitment to ensuring that they receive the necessary support to become the leaders of the future.”

Gibson added, “I want to thank New York City Public Schools, the My Sister’s Keeper Bronx Committee, and everyone else who played a role in bringing this event to fruition.”

The goal of the Bronx Borough President`s partnership with the Bronx “My Sister`s Keeper” initiative is to:

• convene current girls’ empowerment efforts in schools and throughout the borough under the “My Sister’s Keeper” umbrella to anchor the initiative in the borough;
• create spaces for middle school and high school girls to connect with each other to support mentorship and continuity as students move from middle to high school; and
• to connect districts’ leaders and educators leading the work to resources, including women holding leadership positions in various industries and ties to The Bronx.

Honored at the event were former NYC Schools Chancellor and inaugural president and CEO of the Bronx Community Foundation, Dr. Meisha Ross-Porter; NYS Commissioner of Education and President of the University of the State of New York, Dr. Betty A. Rosa; and 6th president of The University of Mount Saint Vincent, Dr. Susan R. Burns.

The University of Mount St. Vincent president, Susan R. Burns, said it was an honor to have had the opportunity to welcome more than 1,000 young women to the campus for the occasion.

 

In 2014, U.S. President Barack Obama founded the “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative to help boys and young men of color reach their full potential. With New York State the first to adopt the program, During a prior State of the Borough address, Gibson announced her plans to build on the success of the program by seeing young women from The Bronx and citywide benefit as well.

Serving as emcee for the event was MSK core team lead, LA Dunn. Citations of Merit were presented to three student additional emcees and three finalists of an essay-writing contest called “MSK Embodiment of Sisterhood,” who won first place in the elementary school, middle school, and high school categories.

Current NYC Schools Chancellor David C. Banks, said of the event, “The young women in our schools today are the leaders in our city tomorrow, and many of them are already stepping up as role models in their communities. Congratulations to today’s essay finalists and to everyone who took part in this amazing display of unity and community.”

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During the event, performances were given by the South Bronx Academy of Applied Media Dance Team, and the Songs of Solomon Inspirational Ensemble. Adding to the atmosphere, there was also music by DJ Perly.

Burns also shared that Mount St. Vincent was the first institution to offer advanced education to young women in New York. “While the University has grown to serve students of all genders, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds, our mission remains constant: to provide transformational educational opportunities that enable all learners to realize their potential, and apply their experience at the ‘Right Place on the River,’ toward lives of leadership, service, and innovation,” she said.

Burns added that she was thankful for what she described as the diligent work of Gibson and her team, and applauded all those involved in the work of MSK for “celebrating and inspiring the next generation of young women leaders in the Bronx.”

Meanwhile, NYC Chancellor’s Master Principal Dr. Roshone Ault Lee, concluded, saying, “I think it is critical that women create spaces and opportunities for girls and young women to feel inspired and see themselves in us. This is why it is important to me as a sitting principal to advance this work and I am just elated that I can partner with the Borough President and her team to do this together for the Bronx.”