named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Dr. Bridget L. Lawson I.M.A.G.E Scholarship
Renewable scholarship awarded to young women of color from the Syracuse City School District, with preference for participants in Image Initiative programs, to support higher education and career goals
I.M.A.G.E Scholarships
Scholarship program for African-American, African, Caribbean, and Latinx young women graduating from the Syracuse City School District or participating in Image Initiative programs, supporting enrollment in college, vocational, or trade schools
Josie A. Burgos I.M.A.G.E Scholarship
Emerging scholarship for young women of Latinx, African-American, African, or Caribbean descent from the Syracuse City School District who demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit and cultural awareness in the culinary field
Sisters Empowering Sisters (SES) Annual Conference
A two-day annual event featuring panel discussions and workshops on self-esteem, relationship violence prevention, sexual health, and career development for young women from the Syracuse City School District and neighboring schools
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Girls' Mentorship and Leadership Development 4 activities
- CHOICES programOperates the CHOICES program, which provides a safe, judgment-free space for young women to discuss personal challenges, receive mentorship, and access personal development support.
- Daily affirmations and inspirational resourcesProvides daily affirmations, motivational messages, and inspirational content to support personal development and encourage girls to strive for excellence and develop their personal power.
- Imagine Me Achieving Great Expectations programRuns the 'Imagine Me Achieving Great Expectations' program to support the personal and developmental growth of girls.
- Leadership and skill development programmingProvides workshops and forums focused on leadership, professional development, financial management, literacy, and self-development for young women from underserved populations during middle and high school years.
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Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Award scholarships to young women of colorAwards annual scholarships to young women of color who are high school graduates from the Syracuse City School District and plan to enroll in post-secondary education, including a specialized scholarship for those pursuing culinary arts or related fields, with the inaugural award scheduled for Fall 2026.
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Women's Wellness and Empowerment Programs 1 activity
- Health and wellness resourcesProvides resources on health, fitness, and body image tailored to young women.
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Financial Aid and Scholarship Access Programs 1 activity
- Post-secondary guidance and scholarship resourcesProvides resources on post-secondary alternatives to college, shares a list of 100 nationwide scholarships for minority girls, and offers a guide to help girls accomplish their life goals.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Sisters Empowering Sisters (SES) ConferenceHosts an annual conference for young women from underserved populations, particularly young women of color in the Syracuse area, to build self-esteem, envision their futures, and develop leadership skills. The event began in 2005 and has grown to serve close to 300 attendees annually, including virtual formats during 2021.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$157K
Contributions & grants$157K100%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$184K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$42K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$40K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$26K
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +25.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 5
- GRISELDA RODRIGUEZ-SOLOMON PHD — DIRECTOR
- MARISSA WILLINGHAM — DIRECTOR
- SHEILA AIRD PHD — DIRECTOR
- TANESHA CAMERON-COLE — DIRECTOR
- YALONDA BEY — DIRECTOR
relationships · 17
Who they work with
- AFTER High School Partner — Provides information on post-secondary alternatives to college.
- BLACK EXCEL Partner — Shares nationwide scholarship opportunities for minority girls.
- City of Syracuse Partner — Partners with the city of Syracuse to address community challenges and support underserved young women through joint initiatives and resource sharing.
- Girl Gang Partner — Collaborated with Girl Gang, a women-led dance, fitness, and empowerment community, as part of the 2026 Sisters Empowering Sisters Conference.
- Howard University Partner — Hosts a postdoctoral fellow and alumnae board member affiliated with The Image Initiative, Inc.
- National Grid Partner — Corporate supporter of the Sisters Empowering Sisters conference.
- Sisters Empowering Sisters Partner — Flagship conference and volunteer program for young women of color, organized by The Image Initiative Inc.
- Syracuse Government — Operates programs for young women in the Syracuse community.
- Syracuse City School District Partner — Public education partner involved in the Sisters Empowering Sisters initiative.
- Syracuse City School District Partner — Source of participants for the Sisters Empowering Sisters Annual Conference and community partner in serving young women.
- Syracuse City School District Partner — Source of scholarship-eligible students and community partner in supporting young women of color.
- Syracuse University Partner — Collaborates with Syracuse University in program development and community-university engagement, with origins tied to student and faculty involvement.
- Syracuse University Partner — Hosted the first Sisters Empowering Sisters Annual Conference in 2005 and supported ongoing programming.
- Syracuse University Partner — Hosts staff roles for a program coordinator at The Image Initiative, Inc., who also serves as a teaching associate and academic consultant.
- Syracuse University Partner — Hosts workshops and programs for young women as part of The C.H.O.I.C.E.S Experience®.
- The Balance Careers Partner — Collaborates to provide career guidance resources for girls.
- Young Women’s Health Partner — Offers health and wellness resources focused on young women.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Experiential Education and Role Model Exposuremethodology: role-model_immersionBy exposing young women to inspirational role models, transformative conferences, and new experiences through workshops and panel discussions, the organization fosters self-actualization and responsible decision-making because lived examples and immersive learning broaden perceived possibilities and build aspirational identity.
- Identity-Affirming Sisterhood Modelmethodology: sisterhood-based_empowermentBy creating supportive, sisterhood-based communities and identity-affirming spaces, the organization empowers young women—particularly Black and brown girls—to develop positive self-identity, mental health, and leadership potential, because belonging and representation are foundational to personal growth and resilience.
- Integrated Mentorship and Leadership Developmentmethodology: education-mentorship-leadershipThrough sustained mentorship, education, and leadership programming, the organization builds agency and professional pathways for young women from underserved communities, because long-term supportive relationships combined with skill development produce greater personal and career advancement than isolated interventions.
- Self-Image Transformation as Foundation for Growthmethodology: self-image_transformationBy addressing negative self-image and fostering positive identity development, the organization enables healthier decision-making and personal growth in young women, because self-perception is a root driver of behavioral outcomes and life choices.