2024 YEAR END REVIEW

Jan 19

Executive Summary

In 2024, Sisters Keepers made significant strides in its mission to empower young black girls through mentorship, leadership development, and community engagement. Last year, we launched two landmark initiatives: the Global Circle and the B-GILD Summer Institute. These initiatives not only reinforced our commitment to advocacy but also provided essential resources and networking opportunities for women and young black girls around the world. This report highlights our achievements, financial performance, challenges faced, and our strategic goals moving forward.

Major Events

1. Global Circle Members Launch

The Global Circle initiative was introduced in July 2024 to connect and elevate influential women leaders from diverse backgrounds, creating a network of support for the next generation of female leaders. As key stakeholders in Sisters Keepers, Global Circle members play a pivotal role in shaping our programs, offering mentorship, and advocating for women's rights and leadership across various sectors.

The Global Circle comprises 22 remarkable women who have made significant strides in their respective fields. It is a community of women who are aligned towards one goal which is to make an impact together. Their involvement strengthens the organization’s impact and extends its reach, delivering essential support to young women in Sisters Keepers programs.

2. Ghana Pilot

The Ghana Pilot, part of the 2024 B-GILD Summer Institute, empowered young Black girls through mentorship, skill-building workshops, and community-driven partnerships with IADI, Poducare, and Ghana’s educational system.

Needs Assessment: The Ghana Pilot was a major milestone for Sisters Keepers in 2024, achieved through partnerships with the Ghanaian educational system, IADI, and Poducare. Together, we brought our theory of change to life, addressing the challenges faced by young Black girls through a culturally informed, community-driven approach. These local implementation partners played a pivotal role in delivering workshops, coordinating mentorship, and fostering trust, while dialogues with community heads deepened our understanding of local needs and secured vital support. This collaborative effort created a tailored, impactful program that empowers girls and sets the foundation for long-term change.

Mentorship Programs: Mentorship was a cornerstone of the Ghana Pilot, fostering meaningful connections between participants and accomplished mentors. Each girl was matched with a mentor based on her interests and aspirations, ensuring personalized guidance that aligned with her goals.

Mentors provided one-on-one support, sharing expertise and offering actionable advice to help participants navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Beyond individual sessions, group discussions created a dynamic platform for collective learning and peer encouragement, empowering participants to envision brighter futures and take confident steps toward achieving their dreams.

Workshops and Panels: The Ghana Pilot also featured a robust lineup of workshops and panels designed to equip participants with essential leadership skills and practical knowledge. Topics included public speaking, financial literacy, mental health, self-care, and community project development, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience. Facilitated by local and international experts, these sessions were both interactive and inspiring. The inclusion of panels with accomplished women leaders, who shared their journeys and insights, gave participants real-world examples of resilience, determination, and success. These workshops and panels provided tools for immediate application and long-term growth, leaving a lasting impression on participants.

3. Summer Institute

The B-GILD Summer Institute, held from August 25 to September 1, 2024, marked a transformative milestone for Sisters Keepers. After extensive needs assessments, the pilot program launched in Accra Ghana, aiming to address the unique challenges young Black girls face and to equip them with tools to lead, uplift, and transform their communities.

After the selection process was completed, the girls dove straight into their community projects, each bringing personal experiences and ambitions to the table. They worked tirelessly, identifying local issues they cared deeply about and solutions with the guidance of mentors and local facilitators. Their projects ranged from tackling environmental challenges to improving local health resources and supporting girls’ education.

Through interactive orientation sessions, the girls developed critical skills, from leadership and public speaking to teamwork and strategic planning. Beyond these skills, they grew in confidence, finding their voices within a supportive circle of peers who shared their journeys, challenges, and dreams.

During the summer institute week, the girls further connected deeply with their peers, mentors, and prominent leaders who were committed to inspiring the next generation. These mentors shared not only their expertise but also personal stories of overcoming obstacles and building lives driven by purpose. For the girls, it was a rare chance to learn from women who understood their paths and could see their potential.

The Summer Institute served as an immersive experience that integrated various aspects of the B-GILD program. We brought together young girls from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uk and US, providing them with a unique platform to learn, connect, and grow as leaders.

By the closing ceremony, the Institute had become more than just a weeklong program; it was the foundation of a lifelong community. As they prepared to return home, each girl left with a renewed sense of purpose, equipped to continue their projects, and inspired to be leaders in their communities. The Summer Institute’s pilot in Ghana had proven that with the right support, partnerships and donations, Sisters keepers can help young Black girls harness their unique strengths to make a lasting impact.

Overview of the Program

In June 2024, the Summer Institute attracted 35 participants from Ghana, Kenya, UK, US and Nigeria, each eager to engage in a journey of empowerment and personal development. The program was meticulously designed to create a nurturing environment where participants could explore their potential, develop leadership skills, and forge meaningful connections with peers and mentors.

Process and Structure The B-GILD program was structured into several key components to maximize participant engagement and learning outcomes:

Application and Selection: The selection process for the Summer Institute was competitive as we received over 1000 applicants. This ensured a diverse group of participants committed to personal growth and leadership development.

Orientation: The program commenced with an orientation session, where 35 participants were introduced to Sisters Keepers mission, the B-GILD framework, and the various activities planned. This laid the foundation for a shared experience and established a sense of community among participants.
Workshops and Skill-Building Sessions: Each day of the summer institute included a variety of workshops focused on critical leadership skills. Topics ranged from public speaking, financial literacy, leadership,mental health and self-care. These sessions were facilitated by experienced professionals and sisters keepers mentors ensuring participants received quality instruction and real-world insights.
Mentorship Matchings: Participants were matched with selected mentors based on their interests and career aspirations. This personalized approach ensured that each girl received tailored guidance and support throughout and after the program. Mentorship sessions included one-on-one meetings and group discussions, allowing for both intimate conversations and shared experiences.
Inspirational Talks: Each day featured keynote speeches from accomplished women, like Vera Addo, Shamima Muslim, Shifa Amankwa-Gabbey, Edem Asimedu, Grace Ampoonsah, Mabel Ohemeng, Naomi Akpikie, Joy Wonne, Emike Okoyomoh, Hon. Emelia Arthur, Esther Cobbah, Her Eminence Joana Opare and Ms Kathy Addyamong other amazing speakers who shared their journeys and insights. These talks aimed to inspire participants, highlighting the importance of resilience, determination, and the power of mentorship.
Team-Building Activities: Engaging team-building exercises fostered collaboration and camaraderie among participants. These activities not only encouraged teamwork but also allowed girls to develop essential social skills and build lasting friendships.
Project Development: As a capstone to the Summer Institute, participants worked individually to develop community projects addressing issues they were passionate about. This hands-on experience encouraged creativity, problem-solving, and practical application of their newly acquired skills.

Impact and Participant Engagement Feedback from our participants was overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed newfound confidence and a clearer vision for their futures, thanks to the mentorship and guidance received from Global Circle members, mentors and program facilitators. Post-event surveys indicated that 98% of participants felt more prepared to pursue leadership roles.

Conclusion: The Summer Institute, as a key element of the B-GILD program, has proven to be a significant stepping stone for many participants, paving the way for further engagement and opportunities. Follow-up initiatives are being developed, including a mentorship program ensuring ongoing support and guidance for these young leaders.

Financial Overview

Donations: $45,615.93
Support Expenses: (including program costs, awards, gifts, laptops, tablets, scholarship, etc) $43,215.00

In 2024, Sisters Keepers experienced steady financial support, with funding sourced from donations by our major sponsor “Change Ignitors” amongst others and sponsorships. The financial contributions specifically directed toward the Summer Institute have allowed us to expand our programs and reach more young black girls than ever before.

Future Goals

Looking ahead, Sisters Keepers aims to:

Develop Additional Programs: We aim to introduce more specialized workshops (BLOOM, THRIVE, SISTERS CIRCLE) that cater to specific interests, mental health and career paths.

Expand Program Reach: Based on feedback from the summer institute, we aim to introduce more editions and we’re thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of the B-GILD program in six countries(Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Jamaica, UK and US), which will be made possible through partnership with local facilitators and organizations. This expansion will allow us to connect with and empower even more young Black girls, adapting our approach to meet the unique needs of each community. Our country facilitators will play a key role in guiding and mentoring participants, helping us bring the vision of Sisters Keepers to life on a global scale.

If you’re interested in partnering with us to expand our reach and impact, please visit www.sisters-keepers.org to explore ways to collaborate.

Acknowledgments

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our members, donors, volunteers, and partners. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in driving our mission forward and empowering the next generation of leaders.

As we move into 2025, Sisters Keepers remains committed to its mission to nurture and uplift young black girls by providing access to quality education, mentorship, and a thriving global community, fostering their potential to become influential leaders and change-makers in their communities.

Special Recognition

Change Ignitors
Moremi Initiative
Hon.Emelia Arthur
Esther Cobbah
Her Eminence Joana Opare
Ms Katy Addy
Vera Addo
Shamima Muslim
Shifa Amankwa-Gabbey
Edem Asimedu
Grace Amponsah
Anita Mma
Mabel Ohemeng
Mrs Keziah Peace
Kenneth Azumah
Mr Mawuli Dake
Nana Asantewaa
Naomi Akpikie
Edem Asimedu
Grace Ampoonsah
Joy Wonne
Emike Okomoyoh

And many more....

Our Donors

Change Ignitors
D-light Foundation
Donewell Insurance
Edward Boateng
Ebo Quagrainie
Waffi Sisters

And our other anonymous Donors

Conclusion

We invite you to continue this journey with us. Together, we can create lasting change.

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