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- 17 Years Strong: Celebrating a Legacy of Leadership, Mentorship, and Impact
17 Years Strong: Celebrating a Legacy of Leadership, Mentorship, and Impact
Honoring Our Past, Inspiring Our Future, The BSLS Journey Continues
In This Newsletter:
About | Donate | Get Involved
A Note from our Founder:
💜 A Heartfelt Message from Aneisha Hughes 🧡
Seventeen years ago, on July 7, 2008, during one of the most economically unstable years in recent U.S. history, BSLS was born. In 2008, while many were scaling back, we chose to build. What began as a student-led initiative has now become a nationally recognized, award-winning mentoring program that continues to evolve with the needs of women, youth, and communities across the country.
In these past 17 years, we’ve grown together, laughed together, and at times, cried together. We've faced hurricanes and heartbreak, economic downturns and pandemics, social movements and moments of awakening. But every challenge, every tear, every step towards sustaining our programs and events have been met with resilience, hope, and the strength that only true sisterhood can provide.
Across our 27 chapters in 13 states with 8 chapters pending on the waitlist, we've lifted young women from uncertainty into confidence, transformed strangers into lifelong sisters, and empowered thousands to believe in their own potential. We've seen mentees become mentors, watched quiet voices become powerful leaders, and stood witness as dreams became realities.
If these years have taught me anything, it’s this: never underestimate the power of believing in someone. Never doubt that your story, your voice, and your courage can change not just one life, but households, entire communities, and campuses across the nation. Every young woman we've touched has also touched us, inspiring us to do more, dream bigger, and reach further.
Forever grateful,
Aneisha
Founder and CEO, Big Sister Little Sister Mentoring Program
🌟Spotlight: Meet Raygan Witherspoon, Our 2025 Scholarship Recipient!🌟
In a world that needs more light, more compassion, and more courageous young leaders, we are honored to recognize Raygan Witherspoon as this year’s Sisterhood Empowerment Scholarship recipient, a rising freshman at Florida State University, chosen by our remarkable BSLS Chapter at the University of Florida.
Raygan embodies the very heartbeat of Big Sister Little Sister Mentoring Program: resilience, leadership, and the quiet courage to dream big and serve even bigger. Her journey is just beginning, but the spark she carries already speaks of a future where she will lead with integrity, uplift others, and leave every space better than she found it.
Raygan, we believe in you. We see you. And we’re walking beside you as you rise into college, into womanhood, and into a future the world desperately needs.
Congratulations, Raygan, with love from your BSLS Community!
✨BSLS Founder’s Day — July 7th
This is more than a milestone. It's a movement.
Today, on July 7th, we honor 17 years of legacy of dreams turned into blueprints, mentees turned into leaders, and campuses transformed into communities. This year, we’re inviting you to be part of this legacy.
🎉 How You Can Celebrate with Us:
Preorder exclusive BSLS Apparel:
Cream Legacy Crewneck: $65
Cream Legacy T-Shirt: $30
Bundle both for $85
BSLS Badge Pin (Limited-Time Special): $7 (Original: $10)
🎁 100% of proceeds go toward operational expenses, scholarships, national service initiatives, and empowering the next generation of leaders.
👉 Challenge someone to match your gift and/or preorder!
Tag a friend. Tag a mentor. Tag a sponsor. Let’s multiply the impact together.
Visit www.bigsisterlittlesister.org to Give & Shop ➝ PREORDER NOW HERE, Pre-Orders, close July 25th for Legacy Crewnecks and T-Shirts
More Ways We Could Use Your Support!
🧡 Our 2008 Fundraising Campaign 🧡
Donate in honor of the year we were founded:
$20.08 | $200.80 | $2,008 | $20,008 — every dollar helps fuel our next chapter.
Text BSLSGIVE to 50155 or click the link below to make your donation.
⏳ Auction Ending Soon —Don't Miss Out! ⏳
Bid now for the BSLS Auction for Impact! From exclusive experiences and sought-after products to tickets for unforgettable experiences, there’s truly something special for everyone. Every bid is an investment in a brighter future, join us in making an impact and help transform dreams into reality. Act fast—time is running out!
For just $5, less than your favorite coffee or morning matcha—you can register and start bidding!
Click the Auction tab then you can start to explore exclusive items, experiences, and more. Every bid helps fund scholarships, service projects, and leadership development for the next generation.
✨ See Items & Bid Today! ✨
What We Have Coming Up?
🎉 Legacy Year 17 Conference & Gala: Creating Our Future 🎉
Orlando, FL | September 19–21, 2025
Join hundreds of BSLS changemakers from across the nation for a transformative weekend:
Friday: Welcome check-in, impactful breakout sessions, and empowering activations.
Saturday: Serve the community together through meaningful projects, then celebrate at our dazzling Gala & Awards Night.
Sunday: End the weekend strong with our farewell brunch and swag bag giveaways from our generous sponsors!
Spaces are filling up fast—reserve your spot now!
🔔 Important Update: Professional Mentoring Platform Transition 🔔
We're enhancing your mentoring experience with a new technology tool and AI! In less than 45 days, we'll transition from Chronus to a temporary manual system while we develop a brand-new AI-empowered mentoring platform, fully integrated with our BSLS website (launching Fall 2026). We appreciate your patience and are excited for what's ahead. Stay tuned for more details!
Interested in helping us invest in this tech upgrade initiative?
We Need Your Talent, Join our BSLS Volunteer Community!
BSLS thrives because of dedicated people like YOU! We’re currently seeking remote volunteers for:
Chief Financial Officer (Volunteer)
UX/UI Designer (Volunteer)
Newsletter Committee Members
Social Media Content Strategists (Graphic Designers)
Interested in serving in another capacity that’s not listed? Click Here to see other open roles.
Ready to leave your mark on the world? Join us and make a difference.
Why Your Giving Now Changes Everything?
Every step of the BSLS journey has been powered by belief, belief in young people, in mentorship, in healing, in leadership, in serving, in purpose.
Your gift today isn’t just a donation—it’s a seed. A seed that grows into scholarships for future first-generation college students, into service projects that uplift entire neighborhoods, into leadership summits that shape tomorrow’s world changemakers.
Right now, during our 17th anniversary month, we invite you to give with your heart and help us build what’s next. Whether it’s $20.08 or $20,008, every contribution makes room for one more story, one more breakthrough, one more life changed.
Text BSLSGIVE to 50155 or click the link below to make your donation.
✨ Give today. Share the legacy. Be the reason someone doesn’t give up. ✨
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