How to Shine Brighter
Learn how the funding will help further their efforts
to advance
inclusive initiatives for working
mothers and caregivers.
8.5.2024
Stuart Weitzman is excited to announce
the Bold Movers Grant recipients
in partnership with Vital Voices:
Janitza Vasquez,
Founder & Executive Director,
One Happy Mama
Laneceya Russ-Martin,
Executive Director,
March for Moms
Michaela Ayers,
Facilitator,
Black Her Stories
Shivani Parikh,
Executive Director,
South Asian Legal Defense Fund
These four women leaders were selected from our inaugural Bold Movers cohort
to receive a grant each, on behalf of the Tapestry Foundation. The grant funding will help
further their respective projects focused on advancing inclusive workplace policies
for working mothers and caregivers.
Learn more about their projects below.
Founder & Executive Director, One Happy Mama
“Receiving this funding means the world to me; it validates our vision and hard work. It will enable us to empower more mothers and create lasting, positive change in our community.”
The grant funds will go towards developing “The Mama Tribe,” a 10-month mentoring program by One Happy Mama tailored to address the cycle of poverty and its associated challenges among young mothers in the Greater New Orleans region. By providing comprehensive support and resources, including mentorship, lifestyle classes and essential baby items, the program aims to help young mothers focus on their educational and professional goals while nurturing their families.
Executive Director, March for Moms
“Ultimately, our goal is to foster a stronger, more informed community of advocates who
can drive positive change in maternal health and family well-being.”
With the grant funding, Laneceya plans to update the “Empowering Caregivers: Advocating for Policies to Support Work-Life Balance Guide” by March for Moms, which aims to provide working caregivers with the knowledge, skills and resources needed to advocate for policies that directly address their challenges. Through targeted advocacy efforts and amplified messaging on social media, caregivers will work towards securing essential protections and support systems that promote their well-being and enable them to fulfill their dual roles as caregivers and employees.
Facilitator, Black Her Stories
“Because history is often framed from a linear, masculine perspective, I’m eager to leverage creative storytelling as a sonic tool that explores how mothers, caregivers and maternal
figures shape our cultural point of view.”
Michaela plans to use the grant funding to expand Black Her Stories by producing live storytelling events that focus on well-being, health equity and increasing the visibility of Black women leaders. These dynamic events will be recorded and developed into podcast episodes. In addition to the facilitated discussions, these intentional gatherings will also include a creative wellness workshop to provide a space for caregivers to rest, reset and receive care, prioritizing cities with high concentrations of Black caregivers like Detroit,
Washington, D.C. and New York City.
Executive Director, South Asian
Legal Defense Fund
“I hope to foster a sense of solidarity and empowerment among South Asian women, encouraging them to pursue their professional aspirations without sacrificing their familial obligations.”
Shivani will direct the grant funding towards propelling The EmpowerHer Conference forward. Hosted by the South Asian Legal Defense Fund, the conference aims to address the multifaceted challenges faced by South Asian women, including working mothers and caregivers. Bringing together a diverse array of non-profit organizations, the conference will expand working caregivers’ access to resources and support networks, enable them to advocate for policy changes and foster community solidarity, as well as empower individual caregivers to achieve economic independence and professional fulfillment.