With International Women's Day quickly approaching, we've been excited to see the local buzz and events popping up all centered around Women's History Month. This year, we wanted to spotlight the first-ever Young Women of Color Conference hosted by Stevens Cooperative School happening on March 8th. Read on to learn more about this Jersey City event.

About The Event

On Saturday, March 8th, 2025, in honor of International Women's Day, the Stevens Cooperative School will host the inaugural Young Women of Color Conference. The event is designed for young women of color in the 6th-10th grade range. The event will create a safe space for young women to explore their identities, connect with others, and hone in on the development of leadership skills.

Photo Credit: Stevens Cooperative School

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In addition to group discussions and workshops, the team at Stevens has also prepared a distinguished lineup of inspiring speakers and panelists. Stevens shared the list of participants via press release which is as follows:

• Shanelle Kaul: CBS News correspondent and anchor of the network’s overnight broadcast, the CBS News Roundup.
• Shakera Rosa: founder of the popular mom blog Mile Square Mommies and creator of J.U.M.P. (Jubilee Urban Melanin Project), a platform celebrating and amplifying Black and Brown voices.
• Raakhee Mirchandani: children’s book author, longtime journalist, and dedicated community leader.
• Alix Zargar: Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn who has worked in both the Domestic Violence Bureau and the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau.
• Nisha Vedi Pawar: the creative force behind Love Laugh Mirch, a digital hub celebrating South Asian culture, family, and food.
• Kim Y. Lew: CEO of Columbia Investment Management Company, which manages Columbia University’s endowment, and a former Stevens Board Chair.
• Bernadine So: Executive Assistant to the President of Clearing + Securities Services at DTCC and former Goldman Sachs professional.
• Jahayra Harrell: a serial entrepreneur in the garment industry and founder of Isa de Ponce, a fashion brand honoring Puerto Rican heritage through storytelling and design."

Stevens' Director of Institutional Equity, Margaret Belkhyat also shared via press release that “Our goal is to create a space where young women can see themselves reflected in leadership, share their experiences and build confidence in their voices,”  and hopes that this conference will create a "meaningful platform" for "dialogue and personal growth.”

Attending The Event

The Young Women of Color Conference will take place from 8AM-3PM at 100 River Drive South in Jersey City which is close to local transportation. The facility is located within walking distance of the Hoboken Terminal, NJ Transit, NY Waterway, and the Newport PATH Station. Paid parking is also available just across the street at the River Market Garage. The garage can be accessed via 20 North Boulevard in Jersey City. Interested attendees can register for the event here.

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About Stevens Cooperative School

Stevens Cooperative School is a vital part of the local community. Stevens is committed to progressive education and values the importance of an inclusive and diverse learning environment. The school caters to children ranging from Pre-K through 8th grade and aims to equip students with strong critical thinking and leadership skills. Stevens has campuses in both Hoboken (301 Garden Street) and Jersey City (100 River Drive South).

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