world changers / global issue: Diversity and Inclusion

Chapter three: the seedling

Let’s talk about Diversity and Inclusion

Being different is such a beautiful thing! And at the same time, we humans have more in common than we realize. We deeply believe that we can make the world a much better place when we embrace each other, with respect, and love. Understanding people of different races, cultures, and abilities opens our minds and hearts, creates empathy, and brings us together.

On July 24th we at She is the Universe hosted our 3rd World Changers event. We hosted an amazing group of speakers from diverse backgrounds to share with us their stories and the ways they are addressing the issues of Diversity and inclusion in their own communities.

“Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.” Vernā Myers

Hosted by Laura Peña, Sammie Vance, Sara Surani and Lilly Platt.

Our events are open and free to girls 12+ from all over the world. We also welcome women who would like to support them. This first event will be in English and Spanish.

what does diversity and inclusion mean to you?

We invited members from our Girls Galaxy community to share what does diversity and inclusion mean to them. This is what they have to say…

guest speakers

ELAINE MONTILLA

Founder of 5xminority, Inc.
Diversity & Inclusion Advocate
AVP and CIO for IT at the
Graduate Center, CUNY.

Elaine Montilla is the founder of 5xminority.com, a company and social media brand dedicated to empowering women and minorities, especially in Tech, with a mission to demonstrate how businesses can be powerful platforms for social change. She is also a TEDx Speaker, a Forbes Technology Council member and contributor, and currently serves as the Assistant Vice President and CIO for IT at the Graduate Center, CUNY.

www.5xminority.com

GRACE AMPONWSAH

Founder of the Bowney Initiative

Grace is the Founder and Executive Director of Bowney Initiative, a nonprofit organization unleashing the potential of adolescent girls in Ghana through mentorship, financial support and entrepreneurship. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Ashesi University and is a member of the MasterCard Foundation Scholars community. Grace is recognized among the 26 most outstanding young women leaders in Africa. She is passionate about women and children’s rights, girls empowerment and entrepreneurship.

www.bowney.org

ANNA MILLER

Coder, accessibility advocate,
ramen lover, creative force for good.

Anna is a teen on a mission to empower and inspire. She is passionate about motivating people to do amazing things, take risks, and get involved—with a focus on accessibility, inclusion, and equity. She is a fearless public speaker, once speaking to over 16,000 screaming teenagers at WE Day Takoma. Anna also plays competitive chess, which she started in 2016. Since then she’s played in international-level tournaments and was featured in a CNN mini-documentary highlighting her participation in the World Junior Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities.Anna has Osteogenesis Imprefecta, Type III, which means her bones break easier than others. This doesn’t stop Anna though. She just uses a wheelchair or crutches to help get around, and has traveled around the world spreading positivity.

www.therealannamiller.com

ESDER CHONG

Immigrant Rights Activist
Founder of RU Dreamers

At 18 years old, Esder founded and led RU Dreamers, an organization at Rutgers University that advocates for undocumented, DACA, and TPS students’ access to higher education. To advocate for a country where individuals are not discriminated against on their immigration or legal status, Esder led multiple efforts to pass institutional and state immigrant inclusive programs and policies. She has protested in front of the Supreme Court and advocated with communities and organizations to sign policies that provide opportunities, like financial aid and drivers's licenses, to undocumented residents in her state of New Jersey.