Room to Grow

From first steps to finish lines — it’s all about growth. 🏃✨ Meet the inspiring members of our NYC Marathon team, each running for a reason close to their heart: to help every child have the strong start they deserve. Read their stories and cheer them on by donating to support their run for Room to Grow. We are just $6,000 away from our $36,000 goal! 
💙 Behind every mile is a story. Behind every story is a child who deserves to thrive. Help us raise the money to ensure all little ones can thrive at https://lnkd.in/dJie8Cxy

Thank you, Room to Grow Akilah King, MPH and Daniel Neiditch, for the invitation to last night Room to Grow Annual Gala. What a privilege it is to be apart of something so great, I’m honored and look forward to celebrating the incredible work you do in supporting families and children. #Roomtogrow #MeetingFamiliesWhereTheyAre

I just got my 15,000th connection on this platform 🎉 To celebrate reaching 15K, here are 15 resources that have guided my path and shaped my journey. 1️⃣ INROADS - I joined INROADS when I was still in HS. They are the original program for the next generation of leaders. Thru INROADS I learned how to “dress for the job I want” and believe in myself. 2️⃣ SHPE - I was a student member of SHPE back in the 90s. Forever grateful to them for helping me to secure one of my summer internships. Thru SHPE I learned the power of having a strong network. 3️⃣ Room to Grow - I served on the leadership council of this non-profit for over 3 years. I co-led their Equity Council and was instrumental in conducting the org’s first DEI self-assessment. From RTG, I learned that I could be the voice of change no matter where I find myself. 4️⃣ Ellevate Network - I have led numerous workshops, served as the NYC membership lead, and moderated sessions at their annual leadership conference. From Ellevate, I learned that a group of powerful women can achieve great things! 5️⃣ Lean In Latinas - I have been a member of LIL since 2022. In that time, I’ve served as a speaker at their annual conference, circle leader, and Director of Programs. From Lean In Latinas, I’ve learned how to be a chingona. 6️⃣ Life’s Little Instuction Book by H. Jackson Brown - I read this book when I first joined corporate and I credit it for keeping me grounded in my early years. 7️⃣ When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago - I read this book in 1993, when there were very few books written by other Latina authors. It was the first book where I legit felt seen as a Latina in this world. 8️⃣ The Memo by Minda Harts - This book changed my life. It was the first time I felt seen as a professional woman of color. From this book, I learned that my experiences in corporate were real. 9️⃣ Right Within by Minda Harts - If Minda’s first book validated my experiences at work, it was her second book that gave me the courage and inspiration to heal. 🔟 Your First Million by Arlan Hamilton - Arlan’s work inspires me to show up fully and unapologetically as a business owner and woman of color. 11 - Brown Table Talk podcast with Mita Mallick and Dee C. Marshall. This podcast dropped in 2021 and kept it 💯. From it I learned to share my own stories. 12 - 5 Ally Actions weekly newsletter by Karen Catlin. From this newsletter, I’ve learned to show up for others in the way I want them to show up for me. 13 - State of Latinas in Corporate America report by Lean In Latinas and McKinsey opened my eyes to the gap in our experiences and the opportunities to fill them. 14 - Inclusion Revolution Ted Talk by Daisy Auger-Domínguez (she/her/ella) - inspired me to champion inclusion with courage. 15 - Idea to Draft Accelerator by Stacy Ennis, M.A. - instrumental in getting my book “Calladita No More” into the world! Thanks for making it to the end! And for being part of my online community!

Join Ashley Graham, Uma Thurman & More at the Room to Grow 2025 Gala! We can’t wait to hear from some of our amazing team and program participants at our Gala THIS Tuesday, October 21, in New York City. Join us for an evening of inspiration and celebration of all this community makes possible. 🎟️ Tickets are still available! Can’t make it? You can still support our work and help families thrive by making a donation: https://lnkd.in/ezgmXDzx

We’re thrilled to announce our 2025 Champions of Change Honorees: Zac Posen, Executive Vice President and Creative Director of Gap Inc. and Chief Creative Officer of Old Navy, alongside our longtime community partners Birthday Buds, the Rodney L. White Foundation, and Scholastic. Join us on Tuesday, October 21, in NYC for a celebration of community and the champions who help families — and futures — grow strong. Tickets are selling quickly, and we’d love for you to be part of this unforgettable evening. 🩵

We are honored to have three of our dedicated Board Members — Ashley Graham, Amanda Hindlian, and Nancy Twine — co-chairing this year’s event. Their passion for early childhood development and belief in the power of strong starts fuels our mission and makes this celebration possible. 💙 With just TWO weeks until the 2025 Room to Grow Gala, you still have time to join us for an unforgettable evening of community, impact, and inspiration in support of families. 🎟️ https://lnkd.in/ezgmXDzx

Too often, Spanish-speaking families are shut out of early childhood support systems due to language barriers. At Room to Grow, we’re working to change that. One-third of the families in our program identify as Latinx/Hispanic, and we make sure they have the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive. Language access is equity. 🌟 This Hispanic Heritage Month, you can help by donating Spanish-language books or toys from our Amazon Wish List: https://lnkd.in/eaKKDerp or making a gift to help us continue our programming for families: https://lnkd.in/eJVbv3Jx