High School Scholars Attend Uplifting My Sister's Keeper Event on the Bronx Campus

Nearly 200 young women and girls gathered today in the Mintz Auditorium on the Bronx campus for a powerful morning of connection, affirmation, and hope at this year’s My Sister’s Keeper event. With inspiring speakers -- including Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson -- and opportunities for reflection and storytelling, the day was nothing short of a celebration of sisterhood. 

High school students from across the Bronx came together to share their dreams, speak their truth, and lift each other up. As each young woman stepped up to the mic to offer her perspective, she was met with resounding support from the crowd, sharing a simple yet powerful phrase:  

“I got you, girl.” 

“We shared lots of affirmations of ‘Hey, Queen’ and ‘We got you, Sis!’” said Dorothy Toran, Executive Director of Entertainment Media and Strategic Initiatives at Monroe. “Because it really is just a way of saying, ‘I see you. I value you. You're important. Your voice matters.’” 

These affirmations reflected the day’s theme: “Together We Rise.” The message was clear -- when women show up for each other, incredible things can happen. 

In her keynote address, Borough President Vanessa Gibson spoke about her path to becoming the first Black woman elected to lead the Bronx. She encouraged attendees to believe in their worth and never allow others to define their value. 

“I am here to tell you, ladies, that anything is possible,” Gibson said. “Don't ever allow someone to define your future, your value, your worth. Know that you are sufficient. If you think about your life, think about it as a book. You are the author of your story.” 

Jaden Williams, a Monroe alumna now  working in the President's Office and providing support to the administrative team, shared a deeply personal reflection on loss, healing, and self-discovery. After the death of her brother, she said, she struggled to navigate college while in a “depressive state.” 

"I didn’t stay there,” Williams said. “To self-redirect, I tapped into the values instilled in me during childhood. I leaned into the spirituality passed down from my mother. I listened for the echo of my father’s voice, always saying, ‘He can what he gets and gets what he can.’” 

She reminded the audience of the power of self-love and self-awareness -- repeating a mantra she’s come to live by: “I am clocking me.” 

For many attendees, the event was not only inspirational -- it was transformational. 

Samantha Adu, a student at the Charter School of Educational Excellence, shared how meaningful the experience was for her.

“I’m so glad I had the opportunity to be here. I learned so much from the speakers,” she said. “I come from Ghana, and I see women who look like me -- women of color, African women. I am so happy to be a part of this.” 

Natalia Velo, a student at the High School for Law Enforcement and Public Safety, echoed that sentiment. 

“I loved seeing all of the women here -- so strong, so powerful,” she said. “I loved the diversity, the different ethnicities and colors. It was just a beautiful experience, one I think every woman should have.” 

Each year, Monroe University proudly hosts My Sister’s Keeper as part of its mission to empower young women, foster self-confidence, and build a community rooted in mutual support. 

"My Sister's Keeper is one of my favorite events of the year,” said Monroe University President Marc Jerome. “To see these young women so energized -- standing up and speaking about their dreams, their challenges, and their strength -- it’s just incredible. I look forward to it every year.”