Emerging in Strength, Emerging in Community

Emerging In Strength | Emerging In Community

When you reflect on your experiences over the past two years, are there moments of comfort and joy that stand out in the midst of challenging circumstances? A place where you felt held, or a person who made you feel seen?

Sadie Nash Leadership Project believes that everyone has the right to be truly supported by a community--not only to survive, but to step into their power and share their gifts with the world. We work with Black and Brown young women and gender expansive youth --who we call “Nashers”--who consistently inspire us with their brilliance and their fierce advocacy for themselves and their communities.

That’s why I’m asking you to make a donation in support of our work today.

Did you know that 94% of Nashers are more willing to push themselves out of their comfort zone, and that 91% are more able to see their strengths and abilities? We believe that Nashers thrive in our programs because we provide them with a safe place to land: a nonjudgmental environment facilitated by educators who share their identities. We’ve supported the college dreams of hundreds of Nashers and helped countless others to discover their future career paths--but that feeling of being held, seen, and protected is perhaps the most important outcome our programs can have.

Nashers are facing extraordinarily difficult circumstances. As the pandemic recedes, we are still very much dealing with its effects: grief, trauma, job losses, interrupted education, and financial hardships, all of which are most keenly felt by Black and Brown youth.

Collective trauma requires collective healing, and the slow work of building trust. At Sadie Nash, we don’t make assumptions and or pass judgements. We create a safe space for self-expression, allow room for mistakes, and offer opportunities to learn and grow together, as a community. We honor each Nasher’s full self and multiple identities.

Nashers have gracefully held their different roles as students, family members, friends, activists, and caretakers throughout this time. It inspires me to do everything I can to build this organization’s strength and ensure our thriving future, so that Black and Brown young women and gender expansive youth can always find a home here.

I have been so grateful to see the way our community stepped up to support Nashers--and the way Nashers showed up for each other. Your generosity can help us keep this going.

Tené Howard, Executive Director