Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson honored Black women and girls in education at the “My Sister’s Keeper (MSK) Unconference” at the University of Mount St. Vincent campus on Wednesday, March 27.
“Our young children and teens deserve every opportunity available to acquire the skills needed to thrive and prosper as adults,” said Gibson in a statement. “Through the ‘My Sister’s Keeper Unconference,’ we spoke directly to over 1,000 girls and young women across the Bronx about our unwavering commitment to ensuring that they receive the necessary support to become the leaders of the future.”
The MSK Bronx Committee is composed of leaders from all Bronx school districts and focuses on building sisterhood through empowerment, leadership, equity and inclusion, and confidence-building seminars. They honored former New York City Schools Chancellor Dr. Meisha Ross-Porter, New York State Commissioner of Education Dr. Betty A. Rosa, and University of Mt. Saint Vincent President Dr. Susan R. Burns.
Bronx BP Vanessa Gibson’s office photos
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson at ‘My Sister’s Keeper Unconference’ on Wednesday, March 27 
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson (far right) honors Dr. Betty A. Rosa (middle right) and other Black women and girls in education at ‘My Sister’s Keeper Unconference,’ held at University of Mount St. Vincent campus on Wednesday, March 27 
Students at University of Mount St. Vincent auditorium during ‘My Sister’s Keeper Unconference’
More than 1,000 students from grades 4–12 packed the auditorium. The young girls enjoyed dance performances from the South Bronx Academy of Applied Media dance team, a musical selection from the Songs of Solomon Inspirational Ensemble, and a live set from DJ Perly.
“It was such an honor to have the opportunity to welcome more than 1,000 young women to our campus for the My Sister’s Keeper Bronx Unconference,” said Burns. “Mount Saint Vincent was the first institution to offer advanced education to young women in New York, and while the university has grown to serve students of all genders, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds, our mission remains constant: to provide transformational educational opportunities that enable all learners to realize their potential and apply their experience at the Right Place on the River toward lives of leadership, service, and innovation.”
The MSK team also presented citations to three student emcees and three finalists in an essay -writing contest called MSK Embodiment of Sisterhood.
“The young women in our schools today are the leaders in our city tomorrow, and many of them are already stepping up as role models in their communities,” said current Schools Chancellor David Banks in a statement about the event. “Congratulations to today’s essay finalists and to everyone who took part in this amazing display of unity and community.”
Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member who writes about politics for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.
