Breaking Barriers & Building Sisterhood: A Day of Empowerment for Young Women
In early July, a powerful group of young women came together for a transformative experience — the Summit, centered around the theme “Breaking Barriers & Building Sisterhood.”
The day began with a warm welcome from Michelle Van Dyke, President and CEO of Heart of West Michigan United Way, who expressed how proud she was for United Way to sponsor such an inspiring event. She shared her excitement in seeing so many bright young women gathered to learn, connect, and grow — and encouraged everyone to take away ideas and insights that would stay with them long after the summit ended.
Next came introductions for Latasha Robertson Crump of Girls Growing II Women and Lakeshia Gilbert of Helping Our Adolescents Prosper, Inc., these two remarkable women who have poured their hearts into empowering young women of color in our community. Through their leadership, and with the support of United Way, the summit was created to help participants build new sisterhoods and strengthen existing ones. The day’s focus centered on two key lessons: self-awareness and self-care.
One of the highlights of the morning was an inspiring keynote from Daphne E. Jones, author of WIN When They Say You Won’t. Her words lit a spark that carried into the afternoon, prompting meaningful conversations about resilience, confidence, and perseverance. Those conversations deepened over lunch, as women from all walks of life joined the attendees — listening, sharing stories, and offering words of wisdom from their own journeys.
In the afternoon, the young women broke into smaller groups for interactive workshops exploring topics such as journaling for self-care, code-switching, and decision-making — and how these practices shape both personal growth and the relationships around them. Each session provided a safe, supportive space to learn, reflect, and connect.
As the day came to a close, each attendee received a swag bag filled with thoughtful gifts — including Daphne Jones’ book, a t-shirt, a yoga mat, and other tokens to support wellness and self-discovery.
Laughter filled the room, cameras captured joyful moments, and new bonds were formed. By the end of the day, these young women didn’t just attend a summit — they built a community.
Together, they proved that when women come together to uplift one another, barriers are broken and sisterhoods are built.
The EmbraceHer Summit is designed to inspire and uplift girls, helping them embrace their strength and individuality in a welcoming, growth-focused environment.