(Em)Power Breakfast Celebrates 25 Years of Leading Equity in Education

Nearly 400 guests joined us on October 12 to celebrate our 25th anniversary and impact on equity in education. This special (Em)Power Breakfast celebrated the achievements of students and alumnae impacted by our Whole Girl Education Model at the core of our six The Young Women’s Leadership Schools (TYWLS) in New York City and seven Young Women’s Leadership Network (YWLN) schools nationwide.

To help us celebrate, Deborah Roberts, ABC News Senior National Affairs Correspondent, served as the Mistress of Ceremony for this year’s milestone event. Notable guests, Mayor Eric Adams, Professor Emerita of Spelman College, Mary Schmidt Campbell, and Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Lynn Nottage, each introduced this year’s honorees–three exceptional TYWLS alumnae who have gone on to do impactful work in their communities and industries nationwide.

The Honorees: Seantell, Jahleese, and Kara

Those who have attended our event in the past know that we typically honor community and business leaders committed to our mission of equalizing education. This year, we flipped the script and instead, honored our own. We are so proud of the achievements of this year’s honorees, three exceptional TYWLS alumnae who have gone on to do impactful work in their communities and industries nationwide. Meet the honorees and hear their stories below:

Seantell Campbell accepted the call to serve her community when she was a TYWLS student, and now she is the co-founder of The Barrio Fridge, a community fridge that feeds her neighbors in Harlem.

Jahleese Hadley felt safe and heard as a student at TYWLS. Now she fosters a nurturing environment as a Director of College Access at Girl’s Leadership School of Wilmington (a YWLN affiliate school).

Kara Young was encouraged to explore and create at TYWLS, and today she is an accomplished Tony-nominated Broadway actress.

It’s All About the Girls: The Book

Guests left the breakfast with a copy of It’s All About the Girls, a collection of personal essays highlighting our girls’ education history, leadership, teachers, and most importantly, the students with compelling stories of struggles, success, and the irrefutable impact of a TYWLS education. Watch the showcase film that goes behind the book:

Endless thanks to everyone who joined and helped us celebrate 25 years of leading equity in education! Your support equips our students with the tools and resources they deserve to reach their full potential.

Enjoy some more highlights from the event in the slideshow below:

TYWLS students, principals, DCCs, and members of the girls’ education team start the day on the red carpet!

ABC News Senior National Affairs Correspondent, Deborah Roberts, serves as Mistress of Ceremonies.

Founder and President, Ann Rubenstein Tisch, welcomes guests back to the first in-person (Em)Power Breakfast since 2019!

NYC Mayor Eric Adams shares thoughts on the central role that girls and women play in society before introducing honoree, Seantell Campbell.

Seantell Campbell was honored for her work combating food insecurity in Harlem with her project, The Barrio Fridge.

President Emerita of Spelman College, Mary Schmidt Campbell, talks about the power of learning environments that encourage collaboration, caring, and sisterhood.

Honoree, Jahleese Hadley, was recognized for her outstanding commitment to education and her current role as Director of College Access at GLOW (a YWLN affiliate school).

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Lynn Nottage, shares beautiful remarks about honoree, Kara Young.

Kara Young reflects on those who helped her discover a passion for performance arts and creative expression.

CEO Yolonda Marshall reveals a special gift and surprise for our honorees – full repayment of their student loan debt!

Deborah Roberts and TYWLS students unveil our new book celebrating our 25th anniversary, It’s All About the Girls.

SL Network Board of Directors with TYWLS students on the red carpet