OSKMN was conceptualized in August 2019. Together, Ms. LaToya and Mz. Leigh have more than 30 years of combined experience engaging in female youth advocacy, empowerment, and mentorship.
In May 2020, it became clear the direction in which OSKMN would go: serving and empowering women and their families. Out of compassion and as an assignment from God, we were called to support a woman whose nine year old daughter was an eyewitness to the murder of George Floyd. She was traumatized, and her family was impacted by unemployment, homelessness and needed mental health support during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Our assignment now is the same calling we've had on our lives for over two decades. We've supported and guided families through trauma and isolation during times when they felt they had nowhere to go and no one to guide them. It is our spiritual assignment to empower and uplift our community of women. We have witnessed and known what it feels like to be isolated, devalued, and economically challenged with few resources available. Having the support of our community of sisters saved our lives. That's why we can say we are Our Sister's Keeper.
In January 2022, LaToya stepped down from her role as Executive Director of OSKMN for another exciting opportunity to serve the community. She will remain a member of the OKSMN family and be involved in other capacities.
If not us, then who? If not now, when?
What happens to our young women of tomorrow when they don’t have a village of women who look like them, who have experienced similar challenges, and there is little hope of leveling up?
The answer is very clear, we have an obligation to step up to the task to inform, educate, encourage, mentor, and become role models for our young women of tomorrow and our women of today.
Our Sister’s Keeper MN stands on the foundation of “To whom much is given, much is required.” We are Our Sister’s Keeper!
In May of 2020 Out of compassion and as an assignment from God, we were called to support a mother and her family whose nine-year-old daughter was traumatized by witnessing the murder of George Floyd.
We are very PROUD of Judeah. She showed her bravery in testifying on day two of the Derek Chauvin murder trial of George Floyd on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. She IS a brave little girl who witnessed something so horrific and was able to tell her truth in front of countless strangers with a clear and strong voice. The community's support for this brave little girl and her family will be such a blessing.
Thank you, Georgia Fort for the care you have taken in interviewing our client and her family.