Stuart Weitzman announces Bold Movers Grant recipients

August 5, 2024

A cohort of 10 women are being recognized for their gender equity-focused efforts. Image courtesy of BFA for Stuart Weitzman The company is naming four winners of its inaugural Bold Movers Grant, which supports projects benefiting working mothers and caregivers. Image courtesy of BFA for Stuart Weitzman

By Emily Iris Degn for Luxury Daily News Service

U.S. footwear brand Stuart Weitzman is sharing an update aimed at promoting gender equity — Luxury Daily exclusively presents the announcement.

Today, the company is naming four first-time winners of its inaugural Bold Movers Grant, which supports projects benefiting working mothers and caregivers. This follows the facilitation of a two-month Bold Movers Program event series that guided participants through virtual leadership sessions and in-person training at Stuart Weitzman's New York City headquarters.

Women at work
The luxury brand and its Bold Movers Grant partner, American nonprofit Vital Voices Global Partnership (see story), are recognizing the work of four community leaders.

Of the 10 enrollees from this year's cohort, the heads of four organizations — One Happy Mama, March for Moms, Black Her Stories and the South Asian Legal Defense Fund — will soon receive resources. The first helps young mothers pursue their career goals through financial literacy and academic support.

“I’m incredibly grateful and excited about receiving the funding,” said Ms. Vasquez, founder and executive director of One Happy Mama, Gretna.

Janitza Vasquez, the founder and executive director of One Happy Mama, and Michaela Ayers, facilitator at Black Her Stories, are working to improve the lives of women in their communities. Image courtesy of BFA for Stuart Weitzman Janitza Vasquez and Michaela Ayers are working to improve the lives of women in their communities. Image courtesy of BFA for Stuart Weitzman

“It gives us the opportunity to continue to make a real impact and move our project forward in new ways.”

The funds will help advance One Happy Mama's The Mama Tribe, a 10-month mentoring program for those in the greater New Orleans region.

March for Moms, which works with grassroots and nonprofit organizations to ensure that American policymakers are keeping mothers, birthing people and families in mind, will route Bold Movers Grant funds toward the Empowering Caregivers: Advocating for Policies to Support Work-Life Balance Guide program, which enables working caregivers to advocate for policies that could help them successfully fulfill their dual responsibilities.

“This support not only validates our advocacy efforts but also demonstrates a strong trust in our vision to empower moms, birthing people and families,” said Laneceya Russ-Martin, executive director of March for Moms, Walpole.

“With this funding, we can enhance the tool kit to be more comprehensive and accessible, providing vital resources and strategies that will enable individuals to take their advocacy to new heights.”

The organizations of Lanecya Russ-Martin and Shivani Parikh aim to boost the rights of female caregivers and birthing people. Image courtesy of BFA for Stuart Weitzman Shivani Parikh and Laneceya Russ-Martin are advocating for the rights of female caregivers and birthing people. Image courtesy of BFA for Stuart Weitzman

Michaela Ayers, a facilitator at Black Her Stories, is using her award to expand into live storytelling events centered on health equity, wellbeing and the visibility of Black female leaders.

“I feel deeply grateful to Vital Voices and Stuart Weitzman for investing in my vision of Black Her Stories (BHS),” said Ms. Ayers, Detroit.

“Celebrating the creative power of Black women and developing a living archive that animates black History through the lens of maternal figures is my passion and purpose on this earth,” she said. “It is an honor to receive funding for the project and I’m thrilled that leaders see the potential of the BHS expansion.”

The fourth winner is Shivani Parikh, the executive director of the South Asian Legal Defense Fund, an organization that supports the rights of women in the region, including working caregivers and mothers.

Ms. Parikh draws attention to the challenges faced by this group, such as unequal pay and poor maternity leave policies. With the Bold Movers Grant, she is building out The EmpowerHer Conference, which provides resources and networking, and gives attendees the tools needed to advocate for policies that back their rights, foster a sense of community solidarity, build wealth and feel fulfilled in their career.

“With this funding, we can bring together grassroots groups alongside crucial partners to tackle systemic barriers, advocate for policy changes and expand access to resources and support networks,” said Ms. Parikh, New York City.

“This collaboration will amplify the voices of our Desi women and mothers, foster deeper partnerships among stakeholders and develop innovative strategies for economic independence and professional fulfillment.”

Six members of the 10-woman cohort are 2024 finalists. This list includes Elizabeth Virkina Swanson Andi, president of Iyarina Center for Learning; Fereshteh Ganjavi, director of Elena’s Light; Kealoha Fox, president of Insitute for Climate and Peace; Kioshana Lacount Burrell, associate director of advancement marketing and communication at The Ohio State University; Liane Ma, talent and workforce development program manager at Aspiranet and Makenzie Peterson, organization well-being and strategy consultant.

To learn more about the cohort, those interested can visit https://www.stuartweitzman.com/content/sw-scoop/shine-brighter/bold-movers-2024-cohort.

Information about the winners of the Bold Movers Grant is listed at https://www.stuartweitzman.com/content/sw-scoop/shine-brighter/bold-movers-2024-recipients.

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