OUR PROGRAMS OUR STORY OUR COVER GIRLS OUR SUMMIT $GIVE VOLUNTEER OUR STORY UYS HAS GONE NATIONAL. OUR MISSION: TO HELP BLACK GIRLS UNIQUELY DEFINE, DISCOVER AND BECOME WHO THEY ARE. FOR BLACK GIRLS: WHY? In 2009, Shaleah Laché Sutton created UNIQUELY YOU SUMMIT, INC. (UYS), the organization, and launched the UNIQUELY YOU SUMMIT for Girls, a one-of-a-kind annual forum in the greater Philadelphia region where hundreds of Black girls, ages 11 to 18 years old, engage in discussion and dialogue to address the complexities of being young, Black, and female in America. Since its inception more than 10 years ago, UYS has impacted thousands of Black girls through the work of its annual Summit and other programs. In 2020, UYS became a national organization, reaching its intended demographic of Black girls in 30 states, including California, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Oklahoma and Maine. In the same year, the organization, for the first-time, held its flagship program virtually for participants on November 13-15, 2020. Amid a global pandemic, the 2020 UNIQUELY YOU SUMMIT celebrated, re-educated and loved on 463 Black girls while teaching them how to unpack racial oppression and patriarchy. PURPOSE FOR THE LOVE OF BLACK GIRLS™ UYS was created to deepen the efforts of social change in the communities where Black girls live and go to school by aiding them in their understanding of their worth and of their specific, unique and individual purposes. Starting first with self-love and self-care. Then, with the intention of making their families, schools, communities, and the world better. OUR VISION: EMPOWERING BLACK GIRLS RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE TO GO PLACES THEY'VE NEVER BEEN. THE WORK INTEGRITY: We demand it for and from Black girls. INDIVIDUALITY: We cultivate, incite and celebrate individuality among Black girls in a society that tells them to conform. AGENCY: We aid (and advocate for) Black girls in their understanding of having choice - despite the many social factors of influence like class, religion, gender, race or ability. We want Black girls to have agency over their own lives and agency over their own bodies. INTERSECTIONALITY: We introduce the ideology of intersectionality as we continue to deepen the understanding that Black girls have [of their] multiple identities. ERADICATION OF COLORISM & HAIRISM: We address the unfortunate value assigned to skin hues and hair textures in the world, unpack the dynamics of what they mean socially, and encourage (and work toward) the eradication of colorism and hairism [through a deeper historical, cultural and social understanding of its roots in European standards of beauty] for the betterment of ALL Black girls. RE-EDUCATION, HISTORY & THE TRUTH: A re-education of who we are, what we are, and the history of where we come from, so that it positively shapes character and confidence for Black girls, as well as honors their identity and humanity. SISTERHOOD: We nurture and galvanize oneness and solidarity in a culture that tells Black girls to compare and to compete with other black girls. CELEBRATION: We affirm and celebrate the unique experiences of Black girls, and Black Girlhood, that are regularly left out of popular American culture. OUR COMMITMENT TO BLACK GIRLS To see, love, and protect Black girls. To safeguard and preserve Black girlhood. To teach Black girls a proper knowledge of self. To encourage the importance of Black girls creating, having and experiencing joy. To create safe spaces for Black girls to heal, dream, imagine, build, and be. To help Black girls embrace & identify their individuality. To teach Black girls how to self-love and self-care. To teach Black girls how to care for, support, love on, and protect other Black girls. To help Black girls discover and use their unique and diverse voices. To aid Black girls in the development of life skills essential to building a powerful, healed, whole, healthy and unique self. To help Black girls [know they can] impact and create social & economic change, political change, and cultural shifts within their very own families, communities, schools, and the world. To create a clear pathway for Black girls to pursue education at the highest level. To build and educate articulate, brave, and outspoken young Black women leaders. To help Black girls understand and feel empowered enough to interrupt the singular expression of Black identity and beauty. To help Black girls unpack, understand and dismantle the pillars of patriarchy & oppression. To expose Black girls to phenomenal PEOPLE. <br/> LEARN MORE Make A Donation Volunteers 2022 There are many ways to get involved and make a difference. Internships 2022 SHALEAH LACHÉ SUTTON PRESIDENT & FOUNDER [ Sha - LEE - yah ] Shaleah [Sha-LEE-yah] Laché Sutton is a solutions-leader with a fierce commitment to the protection and advancement of Black girls. She is the proud founder of UNIQUELY YOU SUMMIT, INC., an organization with a clear mission: to help Black girls uniquely define, discover and become who they are. More than a decade ago, Shaleah launched the UNIQUELY YOU SUMMIT (UYS), an annual forum in the greater Philadelphia region where hundreds of Black girls, 11 to 18 years old, engage in programming and dialogue that addresses the complexities of being young, Black, and female in America. Since its inception, UYS has impacted thousands of young Black girls across the United States through the work of its annual Summit, as well as its online presence. In 2020, UYS became a national organization reaching its intended demographic of Black girls in 30 states, including California, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Maine. In the same year, the organization, for the first-time, held its flagship program virtually for 463 participants on November 13-15, 2020. Known to invite phenomenal Black people to lead intentional and often healing dialogues, 2020’s messengers included actresses Yara Shahidi, Lyric Ross, Eris Baker, Shahadi Wright Joseph, as well as scholar-activist Dr. Yaba Blay, and internationally acclaimed Brazilian ballerina, Ingrid Silva. Shaleah has fused her life and work experience to develop and build this needed platform. A platform she believes influences social change in the communities where Black girls live and go to school, through its aiding them in their understanding of their worth and of their specific, unique and individual purposes. According to Shaleah, “The Black girl’s journey and her experiences are unique to that of any other adolescent girl's journey and experiences. What we’ve created is not only safe space for Black girls, but it’s sacred space.” In January 2021 she created the UNIQUELY YOU SUMMIT Academy (UYSA), purposefully assembled virtual “Love & Learning Labs” to resemble the sessions of the annual Summit, and provide the regular engagement (and education) that the annual participants have desired over the last decade. She deems UYSA “a [weekly] place for Black girls to be at peace with themselves.” During the same year she also established the FOR THE LOVE OF BLACK GIRLS™ Summer Camp, a two-week virtual experience rooted in the joys of Black Girlhood specifically for middle school girls. Over the years, she has expanded her commitment to Black girls by creating new platforms, like: Conversations #ForTheLoveOfBlackGirls, these discussions are peer-led and for high school aged girls. Here, they use their diverse experiences and voices to discuss the social and political disparities impacting their homes, communities, and schools. For Seniors Only!, a three-day special edition of the UNIQUELY YOU SUMMIT, specifically designed to strengthen, support, and empower 25 graduating high school seniors as they enter college, and prepare to become women who are agents of change. The UYS Cover Girl Cohort— where ten to twelve girls serve annually as peer-mentors and peer-leaders, representing the organization as the official faces and voices of its yearly programming and initiatives. The cohort maintains the goal of helping them to become active, engaged, and influential global citizens, who believe they can transform not only their community, but the world. The #WhatIKnowNow fundraising event series, featuring notable leaders like Deesha Dyer and Sheryl Lee Ralph, that examines matters related to the Black woman’s experience. And, the FOR THE LOVE OF BLACK GIRLS™ Scholarship Fund, a need and academic based scholarship that lifts the economic burden for Black girls as they embark on their journey to pursue higher education. In 2020, the Scholarship raised more than $45,000, and close to $26,000 in 2021. Shaleah has received numerous honors over the last decade for her efforts to enrich the lives of Black young women and girls. In January 2018 she was featured on Forbes.com in an article entitled, “These Four Women Are Helping the Next Generation of Leaders Find Their Calling”. In 2017, she was honored with the YWCA Tri-County Tribute to Exceptional Women Mission Impact Award, and in 2016, the PECO Power to the Community Award. She is also the recipient of the 2014 Community Impact Award from Philadelphia mentoring organization, Developing in Excellence, and the recipient of the 2012 Community Service Award from the Pennsylvania State Senate’s 7th Senatorial District. In 2012, she was invited to be a workshop presenter at the 100th National Anniversary of the Girls Scouts [of Eastern PA]. In 2011, the Council of the City of Philadelphia awarded Resolution No. 110325 to her organization for its efforts to focus on “character education” as the best method to instill leadership values among young women. In the same year, she also received the Outstanding Young Leader Award from Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes, and the Role Model Group’s 2011 Lady Leadership Honor for her commitment to leadership and excellence as a “real role model.” Shaleah is also the creator of two popular social media hashtags: #ForTheLoveofBlackGirls™ and #BlackGirlInspiration. In 2018, Shaleah joined the Delaware Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy where she established for the new office its digital face and social presence. The Office was created to oversee the State's women's rights work, including leading the ongoing implementation of women's rights legislation, evaluating current women's rights legislation, building support for new legislation, and advising the Governor's Office, the Legislature, and the Secretary of the Department of Human Resources. During her short time with the Office, Shaleah was instrumental in reviving the State’s Hall of Fame of Delaware Women (2018 & 2019), an almost forty-year-old celebration and induction of remarkable Delaware women. Eleven years later, Shaleah remains committed to the work, firmly believing that Black girls deserve more than what the world offers them. “UYS specializes in centering the Black girl. The UNIQUELY YOU SUMMIT gives voice and validity to the Black girlhood experience. It is one of the safest spaces in the world for Black girls, even beyond our weekend convention. Bringing 500 Black girls together from around the nation is deliberate. We understand the influence that our program has on Black girls, how it heals and emboldens them simultaneously even while being left out of the national protest to humanize Blackness. We’ve seen it at work. We’ve seen it at work for a decade.” She now co-chairs the Summit alongside 23 year-old UYS Alumna, Tiffany Coles. Shaleah holds a B.A. in Political Science from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA (2002) and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (“Sweet” Mu Pi 2000). Shaleah currently resides in a suburb outside of Philadelphia with her 16-year-old twins, Brandon & Island. TEAM UYS 2021 WE UNAPOLOGETICALLY SERVE BLACK GIRLS TANYSHA POWELL CHIEF REGISTRATION OFFICER 10 YEARS OF UNAPOLOGETIC SERVICE TO BLACK GIRLS "UYS is needed because the 'role models' that society shows our young girls equates to fake bodies, cussing and fighting. We are needed to uplift, support and encourage our young girls that we are First Ladies, entrepreneurs, mothers, designers and anything else we want to to be! They WILL be more than what society shows them we're capable of." - Tanysha IF I HAD TO DESCRIBE MY JOB: I bring all the girls to the yard! FAVORITE #UYS MOMENT: Sitting with past UYS Cover Girls in a meeting and listening to how freely they discuss the burdens that are placed on them, and how those burdens affect them. We often think about burdens being for adults. It was a refreshing [and tear-jerking] eye-opener. TANYSHA DEFINES #FORTHELOVEOFBLACKGIRLS AS: The uplifting of black girls who are constantly being put down or made a mockery of. Society doesn't show them love, SO WE WILL! TANYSHA’S #BLACKGIRLINSPIRATION: Phylicia Rashad! BACKGROUND Tanysha's greatest #BlackGirlInspiration, is her 6 year old daughter, Malia Grace. Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Tanysha loves all things inspiration and computers. She is currently working towards a degree in Psychology. Tanysha's ultimate goal is to create a safe haven for young girls to run to when they feel that they have nowhere else to turn. TIFFANY A. COLES NATIONAL CO-CHAIRWOMAN & UYSA ENROLLMENT DIRECTOR FIRST ALUMNA TO SERVE IN THIS CAPACTIY (BEGAN UYS JOURNEY AT 12 YEARS OLD) "UYS is the second home I didn’t know I needed; but am thankful to God every day that my mother involved me in it at such a young age. I remember attending my very first Summit with some of my closest friends, unbeknownst to me that in 2011 I would be meeting new lifelong sisters. Embodying the African proverb, ‘if you educate a woman, you educate a nation,’ the UYS experience is one I wished Black girls everywhere had, so to now serve in this role in the organization’s tenth year [and beyond] is truly a dream come true." - Tiffany IF I HAD TO DESCRIBE MY JOB: If I had to describe my job, I’d say I do a little bit of whatever is needed to get the job done! FAVORITE #UYS MOMENT: When I think of UYS, the Maya Angelou quote “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” comes to mind. After 10 years of being involved with the organization, it would be impossible for me to remember every life changing experience I’ve had with UYS, but I know exactly how they made me feel: Edified. Emboldened. Empowered. Strengthened. Celebrated. Cherished. Loved. That is the same energy I strive to lead with now in each planning meeting. Recounting my own experiences while creating the experiences the next generation of UYS will have definitely are among my favorite and proudest moments. TIFFANY DEFINES #FORTHELOVEOFBLACKGIRLS AS: A way of life! Everything I do is #ForTheLoveOfBlackGirls, and everyday I strive to change the narrative that Black girls are unworthy of the best that this life has to offer. Black girls are IT — we always have been, and we always will be! TIFFANY'S #BLACKGIRLINSPIRATION: S.L.S and C.E.C. BACKGROUND Born in New Jersey but forever representing North Philadelphia, Tiffany Coles is a champion for her community, lover of Christ, and a self proclaimed Media Maven. Tiffany feels privileged to not only be an alumna of the UNIQUELY YOU SUMMIT organization, but now co-leader of the work alongside President, Founder, and powerhouse Shaleah Laché Sutton. Tiffany holds a B.A. in Strategic Communications, Public Relations Concentration from Temple University. UYS 2021 NATIONAL TEAM ______________________________ MANAGING DIRECTOR OF GIRL EXCHANGE (GXC) PROGRAM + GXC LEADERS Brandi Mapp-Evans, M.Ed. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF GIRL EXCHANGE (GXC) PROGRAM Lyn N. Atkins, M.Ed. RESIDENT THERAPIST Jaynay C. Johnson, LMFT 2021 CHIEF PHYSICAL HEALTH EXPERT Dr. Rebekah D. Fenton, MD, FAAP HEAD OF VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT & MANAGEMENT Kimi Brown PARENT AMBASSADORS Dineth Quinones-Allen Camille Coles THE GXC CORE TEAM MEMBERS April L. Everett, MBA MJ Christina Merriweather, M.Ed. Danielle M. Parks, MPH FOR THE LOVE OF BLACK GIRLS™ SCHOLARSHIP CHAIRWOMAN Brandi Mapp-Evans, M.Ed. CHAPLAIN Elder Ronalda Sedeno, CCLC SEE LIST OF UYS ACADEMY STAFF & FACULTY MEMBERS MEGA MENTOR TEYONAH PARRIS Actress Teyonah Parris serves as UNIQUELY YOU SUMMIT’s Ambassador and "MEGA MENTOR." She assists in implementing meaningful nationwide programs that give Black girls the resources and wisdom they need for their journey. “Discovering who you are as a young woman is one of the most important steps in womanhood, and the UNIQUELY YOU organization is a wonderful support system and network for young girls – providing them with invaluable tools for self-awareness, identity, self-care and self-love. I am so happy to align my efforts with UYS as we continue to unapologetically serve Black girls!” — TEYONAH PARRIS CONNECT WITH TEYONAH! She also enjoys interacting with her fans; you can follow her on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram @TeyonahParris. Hailed as the “Next Big Thing” by The Hollywood Reporter, Teyonah Parris is taking the town by storm. Whether lighting up the Sundance hit DEAR WHITE PEOPLE or stealing scenes in the blockbuster Golden Globe® and Emmy Award©-winning TV series Mad Men as Don Draper’s assistant “Dawn Chambers,” Parris is the most electric talent to hit Hollywood in a generation, with an award-winning leading role opposite Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett in the Spike Lee film CHI-RAQ and a starring role on the Starz comedy Survivor’s Remorse, there’s no stopping this Julliard grad on her way to superstardom. Making her debut on the silver screen in 2010 opposite Reese Witherspoon and Jack Nicholson in the James L. Brooks-directed romantic comedy HOW DO YOU KNOW, in addition to a run on Broadway that same year in the John Guare (‘Six Degrees of Separation’) directed play ‘A Free Man of Color’ with Jeffrey Wright and Mos Def, Parris has quickly established herself as one to watch. With a southern charm, unparalleled drive and a trademark smile, Parris is a self-proclaimed tomboy and beauty queen, always thriving on being unique and never adhering to stereotypes. She started her journey in front of audiences by participating in pageants and modeling. As a graduate of the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City, Parris has already worked with such notable names as Debbie Allen and George C. Wolfe, amongst many others. She has also trained under distinguished professors, Richard Feldman and Wendy Waterman. During her time in undergrad, Parris performed in numerous productions crediting “Celimene” in Moliere's 'The Misanthrope,' as her favorite role to date. “I’m honored to have Teyonah on the team. She truly has a heart for it, and she wants to help us embolden Black girls on a very personal level, and in a very hands-on way. She’s young and successful, and her career is on the rise. She could be doing anything, but she has dedicated her time to doing this work. This FOR THE LOVE OF BLACK GIRLS work. That says so much about who she is.” — SHALEAH LACHÉ SUTTON, Founder and President of UYS TOP CONTACT US PRESS SEARCH FAQ Subscribe Sign up with your email address to receive UYS 2021 news and updates. SIGN UP We respect your privacy. All content is property and copyright of UNIQUELY YOU SUMMIT, Incorporated ©.