Sisterhood News Vol 2 Issue 1

SLSV Sisterhood News: Volume 1, Issue 1

Volume 2, Issue 1

March 5th, 2025
 

Welcome to Sisters Lead Sisters Votes, Sisterhood News—where information meets action and sisterhood reigns supreme. This is where we give you the most up to date information on what is happening with Black women across the country and how you can take action. Together, we celebrate the strength of our sisterhood.

In this edition:

  • National African American Museum of History & Culture: Honoring the indomitable spirit of Black women

  • Supporting Joy Reid: Standing in power with excellence

  • Remembering Dr. Hazel N. Dukes: Highlighting and honoring the amazing work of trailblazing inspiration in the Black community. 

  • Economic Blackout: Strategizing for a brighter economic future

Get ready to dive in and let’s turn information into impact, one story at a time!

Greetings Sisters and Allies,

 

If you are like me, many days I am in information overload, and I just need it to be simple. Well, we can’t make it simple BUT we can break it down and make sure that we share accurate information to fuel our fight for democracy and prosperity.

 

Sisters Lead Sisters Vote (SLSV) was founded by Black Women leaders to support and champion Black Women and the issues most important to them and their families. We are the only organization doing this research and tracking this data. It is vitally important because it is how we make sure that Black women are seen and not invisible. To be seen is to be valuable and powerful.  

 

Support for SLSV allows us to amplify the voices of Black women leaders as they champion for our community. Now more than ever is it essential to support Black women leaders and their pursuit to advance Black women's voices in public office and protect their communities. Be a part of the Sisterhood. Donate today, use this link. A monthly $10 contribution can help support candidate research. 

 

In Solidarity,

 

Holli Holliday,

President

 

For the month of March NMAAHC will celebrate Black women who spearheaded the fight for justice, equality, and change, recognizing “Black women: The Activist”. Here is a link to their March programming.
 

The removal of Joy Reid and other news hosts from MSNBC of color significantly impacts unique storytelling and limits diverse perspectives in the media landscape. Joy has been the epitome of journalistic excellence. Her departure from MSNBC, along with other hosts of color, means that the nuanced and culturally rich narratives they provided are lost at a time when we need them the most.

 

These hosts often highlight stories and viewpoints that mainstream media might overlook, ensuring that a broader spectrum of experiences and issues are represented. Without their presence, the media risks a narrower analysis of breaking news topics. When these voices are silenced, the media's ability to critically analyze and present news in a way that reflects the experiences of all communities is diminished. This not only affects the quality of journalism but also undermines the goal of fostering an informed and engaged public.

 

When industries fail to prioritize diversity, it sends a message that these voices aren't important, which can discourage individuals from marginalized communities from pursuing careers in these fields. We must continue to support Joy in her next endeavors and show our collective power.

 

It is with great sadness that we share that our dear Dr. Hazel N. Dukes passed on March 1st, 2025. Dr. Dukes was President of the NAACP New York State Conference and a member of the NAACP Executive Committee as well as an active member of various NAACP board sub-committees. Dr. Dukes was an active and dynamic leader who was known for unselfish and devoted track record for improving the quality of New York State.

 

Dr. Dukes has received a multitude of awards for her inspiring leadership activities such as, The Network Journal’s 25 Most Influential Black Women in Business Award, the YWCA of New York John La Farge Memorial Award for Interracial Justice, and  the Guy R. Brewer Humanitarian Award to name a few. Dr. Dukes was incorporated in 2007 as a Pi Eta Kappa Fellow with her biography being selected for publication in Fisk University Library, the Minority Women Contribution, and Who’s Who Among American Women and Who’s Who Among Black Women. 

 

The impact that Dr. Hazel N. Dukes leaves behind will be felt by generations to come and we can not be more indebted to her selfless work and dedication. We will miss Dr. Dukes and we will continue to follow in her inspiring steps.

 

The February 28th economic blackout emerged as a powerful response to corporations rolling back their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This 24-hour boycott, organized by groups like The People's Union, aimed to highlight the significant influence that consumer spending has on the national economy and corporate policies. By choosing not to spend money at major retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and Target, participants sought to send a clear message that the rollback of DEI initiatives is unacceptable and that the public demands accountability and inclusivity from these corporations. The blackout served as a reminder that consumers hold substantial economic power and can drive change through collective action.

This economic blackout was not just about withholding spending for a day; it was a demonstration of the willingness of individuals to leverage their economic power to effect change. By participating in the blackout, consumers showcased their commitment to supporting DEI initiatives and their readiness to take action against corporations that fail to prioritize inclusivity. The event underscored the potential for collective financial action to push for corporate and societal shifts, proving that when people unite for a common cause, they can disrupt the status quo and advocate for a more equitable future.
 

Joy Reid is an award-winning political analyst, New York Times bestselling author, and recent NAACP award winner. Our sister has brought a passionate and unflinching voice for progressive action to mainstream media. With Joy’s The Reid Out, she became cable’s first Black woman primetime anchor.

 

On February 23rd, 2025, MSNBC announced the shameful cancellation of our sister’s The Reid Out with the final episode airing on February 24th, 2025. Following MSNBC’s announcement, Joy has not only received massive amounts of support from not only her fellow colleagues such as Don Lennon and Rachel Meadows, but also from the community itself. That same Sunday night, over 10,000 viewers tuned into an impromptu call to action organized by Win With Black Women and We Win With Black Men. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones called Reid “one of the sharpest tools in our arsenal” and praised her unwavering approach to journalism. “She knew her unwillingness to compromise might cost her. She was willing to pay the price,” Hannah-Jones wrote on Instagram. “A voice, intellect, and heart like yours cannot be silenced.”

 

The general response to The Reid Out’s cancellation has led viewers to “Turn off the TV” and to seek their news from other sources. 

 

We stand in solidarity with our sister and hold firm in the knowledge that  our community will continue to stand with Joy and that the network has made a serious mistake.
 

Check out the list below of Black women running for office in Missouri with their primary being March 4th, 2025.

 

Municipal races:

Incumbent Darlene Green and challenger Celeste Metcalf are running for the St. Louis Comptroller seat.

Inez Bordeaux is running for Ward 3’s St. Louis Board of Alderman seat. Incumbent Alisha Sonnier is running for re-election for Ward 7’s St. Louis Board of Alderman seat. Incumbent Melinda Long and challenger Laura Keys are running for Ward 11’s St. Louis Board of Alderman seat. 

 

School Board races:

Incumbent Gayle Smith is running for re-election to Center School District school board. Incumbent Gayla Smith won re-election for an at-large Center School District Board of Education seat outright. Incumbent Tanesha Ford is running for re-election for the at-large Kansas City Public Schools Board of Education seat. Brittany Foley won election to Sub-district 6’s Kansas City Public Schools Board of Education seat outright. Incumbent Shereka Barnes is running for re-election for the at-large Park Hill School District Board of Education seat.  Incumbent Bobbie Saulsberry is for re-election for the at-large Raytown C-2 School District Board of Education seat. Incumbent Antionette Cousins and challengers Karen Collins-Adams, Krystal Barnett, and Allisa Foster are running for the at-large St. Louis Public Schools Board of Education seat.

 

  • Call MSNBC and voice your support of Joy Reid

  • Support your local elections - If you live in Virginia or New Jersey,3 register to vote for the Virginia primary happening on June 17th 2025, and the New Jersey primary happening on June 10th, 2025.

    • The last day for voter registration for the Virginia primary is on May 20th, 2025. 

    • The last day for voter registration for the New Jersey primary is May 20th, 2025.

Clapback: Get The Facts is back! Tune in for Holli and crew to clapback and give you the facts!

The first episode, "Season 2 Kickoff: Reaction to the State of the Union Address ", aired Thursday, March 6th and is available on all streaming platforms. Click on the link to catch the episode.

 

Tune in for Episode 2, "The New Administration: The status of Executive Orders" airing Thursday 13th, 2025.

 

Clapback: Get Facts was created to combat the heap of mis and disinformation concerning Black women/ the Black women community and providing listeners with the truth! Whether it is providing the facts on how the Trump administration is attacking the Black community to highlighting the progressive actions Black women are taking to advance the community, Clapback is here give the facts!
 

  • Join Win With Black Women host for their bi-weekly meeting on Sunday, March 16th and 30th.

  • Clapback. Get The Facts is back! Season 2 airs this Thursday, March 6th on all streaming platforms. Tune in for Holli and crew to clapback and give you the facts!
 

Thank you for supporting Sisters Lead Sisters Vote. We are dedicated to sharing updated information about Black women political leadership, including elected officials across the Nation. Click on this link to donate today!