Overview:
The Sister Accord Foundation, in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, launched a new chapter in South Africa, aiming to positively impact the lives of one billion girls and women by facilitating scholarships, grants, education, mentorship, and leadership development.
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – The Sister Accord Foundation, the organization whose movement is changing the way girls and women treat, support, and interact with each other, will launch a new chapter in South Africa, created in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF). This inaugural event was hosted on Saturday, April 20, at Sanctuary Mandela in Houghton, Johannesburg.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, Athi Rwexu, The Sister Accord Foundation’s South Africa Ambassador, will anchor the proceedings. Anticipated highlights from the event include:
• The presentation of The Sister Accord Leadership Award to Sophia Williams De Bruyn, former South African anti-apartheid activist and the last living leader of the 1956 Women’s March. This prestigious honor recognizes those who lead with Love & Kindness and embody the values of The Sister Accord.
• Guest speaking engagements by Dr. Futhi Mtoba and Nolitha Fakude, and musical performances by South African recording artist Carletheia.
• Creative displays by artist Kganya Mogashoa, who will also host a live creative session during which she will create a unique portrait in real time.
Sonia Jackson Myles, of Cincinnati, founded The Sister Accord Foundation in 2013, and its partnership with the NMF was realized in 2023. Since its inception, the Foundation has transformed innumerable girls’ and women’s lives with its many programs, financial support, and beloved YouTube videos, which have amassed 55 million total views and 231 million impressions to date. The Foundation has also committed to pursuing its mission of positively impacting the lives of one billion girls and women by expanding into new territories. With chapters already established in Lilongwe, Malawi, Harare, and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, the new, inaugural South African chapter in Johannesburg marks a tremendous milestone for the Foundation.
“When I originally launched The Sister Accord Foundation, with the mission of having one billion girls and women learn to love themselves and each other, I did not know how I would achieve the global scale needed to reach these goals – but I knew that with the right partners and the right messages, we could have a sustained & powerful global impact,” said Sonia Jackson Myles. “I am absolutely thrilled to partner with The Nelson Mandela Foundation as we work together to make this a safer, kinder, and more prosperous world for all women and girls.”
The cornerstone of The Sister Accord Foundation’s work is facilitating scholarships, grants, education, mentorship, and leadership development. Following the launch of its new chapter, members will be encouraged to participate in the Foundation’s awards submission process, where scholarships and business grants will be allocated to successful applicants. To date, all grants have been funded by US donors.
The Sister Accord® Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on enabling girls and women to establish and nurture positive, supportive, and loving relationships with each other. The Sister A.C.C.O.R.D. Leadership Development Program is used by school districts, and The Sister Accord LLC’s ‘Sisterhood & Brotherhood in The Workplace’ Platform has made a significant, positive difference in corporate America and around the globe. The organization also holds events throughout the year to inspire and promote Sisterhood, Anti-Bullying, Health & Wellness.
Sonia Jackson Myles has over 20 years of experience (managing $20 billion) in corporate America, working for Fortune 500 companies such as Ford Motor Company, The Gillette Company, and Procter & Gamble. She is the Founder, President & CEO of The Sister Accord Foundation and The Accord Group LLC. Sonia is a philanthropist, author, inventor, and highly respected advisor. She is on a mission to have 1 billion girls and women learn how to love themselves and each other while understanding their value and worth. She is the author of The Sister Accord: 51 Ways To LOVE Your Sister, which was nominated for a 2013 NAACP Image Award. Hersecond book is titled 51 Ways To LOVE Your Children. Sonia recently launched her patent pending “Smile With Your Eyes By SJM Eyeshadow Stencil.” She is married and the mother of two sons.