Nika V. journalists interview elite dancers from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe | August, 2024 | Centerville Public Library

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Martha's Vineyard designer Angela Sisson--the owner of Conrado boutique in Vineyard Haven-- has an awesome story to share about sustainable fashion, with a lot of inspiration from her grandfather in particular and her family in general! Circle back soon for our interview but check in the meantime you can learn more about her at shopconrado.com.

Since turning 13 three years ago, St. Mary's School (Lynn) sophomore Bella Owumi has had consistent offers coming her way to play college hoops. Now, the 16 year old literally has a total of “Sweet 16” schools hoping to sign her on. Bella’s dream to play in the WNBA seems like a likely prospect at this point, and we are here to cheer her on! We can’t wait to meet Bella later this year, but until then, just Google her – you’ll find ample stories and videos to take in for some major inspiration!

QUINCY'S ELIZABETH DAWE In March of 2018, 10 year-old CoFounder Annika Johnson conducted our first StoryTelling interview with 8 year old Elizabeth Dawe who captivated us with her headband designs and fundraising for Boston Children's Hospital. Watch our interview or read more about her by clicking on the Free Activities tab above. We hope to reconnect with Elizabeth this year to hear what she's up to as a teenager! In the meantime, you can support her efforts by participating the BCH's annual Eversource Walk -- learn more at giving.childrenshospital.org/events/walk.

Nika V. journalists met Ciara, Sherae and Brooklynne last summer at the Centerville Library on the Cape to learn about their favorite native dancing styles along with the culture and traditions of their Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Click on Storytelling|Activities tab above to watch our interview and/or to read about them and then circle back to read the story that our journalists are currently crafting.

"Established in 2023, Shop Micki is a black woman-owned business delivering fashion forward trends for everyday lifestyle. The owner, Rebecca, has always loved fashion and shopping. Unfortunately, she lost her mother to cancer at a young age and missed out shopping with her during her teenage years. She conceptualized Shop Micki as a welcoming place for multiple generational women. She wanted it to be somewhere that moms and their daughters could come and enjoy shopping together while finding outfits that make them feel confident. Shop Micki is named after Rebecca's mother Mikal, who was known as Micki." We can't wait to meet Rebecca later this year, until then, learn more about her at https://shopmicki.co.

“Born in the Boston area to Guatemalan parents, Jennifer De Leon is the award-winning author of the YA novels, Borderless, featured on the TODAY show, and Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From. She is also the author of White Space: Essays on Culture, Race, & Writing, which won the Juniper Prize from the University of Massachusetts Press.” Parents of teenage daughters should absolutely have their girls read her YA novels! We look forward to reading the rest of her books (including two new texts that she’s working on) and we hope to meet Jennifer later this year! In the meantime, you can learn more about her inspiring and empowering work at www.jenniferdeleonauthor.com.

In April of 2018 we met Cassidy Nicholas (middle) at our first girl power event held at Milton Public Library. Prior to the event, we journeyed up to Cassidy's hometown of Haverhill and had a little chat with the then 5-year-old phenom about the work that she’s been doing to raise awareness and funding for people born with Treacher Collins Syndrome. This summer, we plan to meet up with Cassidy again to hear what's new with her (we know that it's a LOT!). In the meantime, to learn more about Cassidy at https://www.facebook.com/p/Cassidys-Crusaders-100064719697067.

As a CoFounder of Boston-based, Ianacare, whose mission is "to encourage, empower, and equip family caregivers with resources and communities – so no one does this alone" -- Jessica Kim knows first hand how challenging and emotional caregiving is. We can't wait to meet her in the coming months, in the meantime, learn more about her important work at ianacare.com.

Boston poet laureate Porsha Olayiwola's new bookstore, Just Bookish, "is a literary gathering space that provides programming and events for creative communities in Dorchester. Culturally curated, radically influenced, and locally inspired, justBook-ish seeks to shift the narrative in the publishing world by housing a collection of books by writers whose work often challenges political paradigms. Partnering with numerous organizations and artists, it offers a centralized hub and networking space in a cozy and comfortable book-cafe setting. In addition to philanthropic support, revenue from books and beverages will help to offset the cost of operations and programming." We are so excited to meet Porsha and her team, and to spend some time browsing and buying books! Until then learn more about her at https://www.justbook-ish.com.

Last summer, we interviewed Megan Murphy, Founder of The Kindness Rocks Project, on Cape Cod, where she launched this inspiring initiative nearly 10 years ago. Our interview is posted under the Free StoryTelling Activities tab above--along with some notes that we put together in advance of meeting her. Our young journalists are working on writing the latest chapter in Megan's inspiring story, so check back soon for that! In the meantime, learn more about the important work that Megan does for a range of communities -- from schools, to neighborhoods, to the corporate world -- at https://www.thekindnessrocksproject.com.

"We're the two best friends that anyone could ever have!" We became best friends 16 years ago while attending Nantucket High School and have been inseparable ever since. We both dove into creating bath & body products at different points in our lives. Bianca learning to make soaps with her sister as a child and Shantaw learning to make butters & scrubs with her grandmother back in Jamaica. Our passion for clean, chemical free products grew together as naturalista sistahs! The concept for Supple Sirens was born in our apartment senior year of college. Though life took us on several journeys, the road always led back to sharing our love for handmade bath & body products with the world. After committing two years to formulating our products, mastering our craft and traveling the world learning about new techniques and finding the best quality ingredients, Supple Sirens was officially formed. " We are excited to meet Bianca and Shantaw later this year, but until then you can learn more about them here https://www.supplesirens.com.

In the Spring of 2023, Needham native Laura Hasenfus became Head Coach of Needham High Schools' first golf team for girls, including squads for Varsity and JV teams, along with a practice squad for girls who wanted to explore the game. Over the past 2 years, the team has expanded to over 30 girls who bond throughout the winter months as they prepare for their spring matches. Laura's story as an athlete, coach and mentor is one that all parents and players appreciate. We can't wait to share more about Laura in the coming months. In the meantime, just Google her to get inspired (i.e. this recent quote on her Instagram page, "Happy International Women’s Day to all of my fellow strong women! We are all on mission to make the world a better place!!! I am so grateful for all of the amazing super strong female role models I have had in my life!!❤️They have taught me to work hard, play hard and always treat people with respect and kindness!! Who has inspired you???")

Derith Cass, aka Coach D, is an inspiring mindset and fitness coach for girls of all ages and stages. We can't wait to meet her later this year to learn more about her work -- so circle back soon for our interview -- but in the meantime you can learn more about her at fiercebychoice.com.

Hailing from Salem on the North Shore, Anna Dugan began painting murals in 2018 with a focus on public art that celebrates her heritage while also “navigating the complexities of identity as a mixed race person in the US….creating space for vulnerable & honest discussion on the concepts of identity, growth, community, and mental health.” We can’t wait to learn more about Anna in the coming months and hope to meet her this summer for an interview! In the meantime, to learn more about her inspiring goals and work check out her website www.annadidathing.com.

"Colette Phillips is President and CEO of Colette Phillips Communications, Founder and President of Get Konnected! and The GK Fund. For 30 years, Colette has been a powerful voice and effective agent of change in one of America’s oldest and most tribal cities. An immigrant Black woman from Antigua described by Boston Magazine as “Boston’s Great Connector,” and Boston Globe cites her for “changing the Conversation about Diversity in Boston,” Colette has brought her passion, power and wisdom to publications and boardrooms around the globe." We are excited to interview Collette later this year (after reading her new book), until then, learn more about Colette at https://colettephillips.com.

Earlier this year, a group of our Needham journaiists interviewed our very own Rock Star Realtor Louise Condon. We'll be posting the video of our chat with Louise later this week and we're wiorking on writing the latest chapter of her fascinating story. Check back with us soon but in the meantime, you can learn more about Louise at https://www.condonrealty.com.

As CEO of Boston-based Vertex, Reshma Kewalramani is indeed an incredible role model for all girls, but maybe especially for our younger girls who are thinking about careers in the life sciences field. We can't wait to share more about Reshma in the coming months and hope to interview her later this year. In the meantime you can learn more about her at vertex.com.

“Paula A. Johnson is a pioneer who brings decades of experience in the fields of academic medicine, public health, and higher education. Since joining Wellesley in 2016, she has moved the College to the forefront of STEM education for women…” President Johnson has held several leadership roles in her career as a physician-scientist. Prior to joining Wellesley, she served as the Grayce A. Young Family Professor of Medicine in Women’s Health at Harvard Medical School and a professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. In addition, she founded the Connors Center for Women’s Health and Gender Biology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. (wellesley.org). Among numerous milestones within her empowering story, Dr. Johnson is the first Black woman to serve as President of Wellesley College. We hope to meet her later this year to learn more about her fascinating life. In the meantime, learn more about her at https://www.wellesley.edu.

As Needhamites we are especially proud of our hometown hero--NASA Astronaut and Needham High Graduate Sunita Williams--who splashed down on Earth on March 18th, after 9+ months in space! We can't wait to share more about her inspiring story in the coming weeks and hope to be meeting her at Sunita Williams Elementary School in Needham later this year for an uplifting conversation!

In the summer of 2018, Annika interviewed Maddie and Adriene Lombardi from Nantucket's Harvey Foundation. We learned about the important work that they are doing in honor of Robin Harvey, the girls' grandmother / mother respectively. Click on the StoryTelling Activities tab above to watch the interview and then circle back later this year for an update from the girls, who we hope to meet again in person to learn what's new with them personally and with their nonprofit work. In the meantime, you can learn more about their foundation at harveyfoundationnantucket.org.

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