Our story
We came up with this idea through the overwhelming need and desire to help our community. We are hardworking, vision focused women that have come from the very backgrounds and communities that we now wish to serve and see young people flourish within.
A young ethnic minority female lacking aspiration can have a devastating impact upon their future and social positioning, which in turn may affect generation after generation. We want to break down boundaries, which is why we decided to create an opportunity for young women to cultivate their self-esteem, develop their confidence and become visionaries; because we know that young women who have confidence along with positive role models who believe in their abilities and skills are unstoppable.
We have a passion for personal development and growth. For several years, we have explored a variety of personal development theories and coaching and mentoring techniques. We want to share these and utilise our experiences to serve the community that has helped shape the women that we have become.
Chantel
Chantel Hall-Reid, co-founding director, has over 15 years experience in education and training. Chantel wanted to live a life with purpose and to leave a legacy that was reflective of her values, purpose, and commitment to supporting others which is why Sister2Sister was birthed.
Whilst very academic at school, Chantel sometimes lacked the confidence and self-worth to make informed decisions and to have better aspirations for herself at a young age, however she used the experience to push forward with a successful teaching career. Throughout her career she has taught hundreds of young people, who just like her; had the academic qualities but lacked clarity on their purpose, vision, and goals. Chantel works relentlessly to ensure that young girls believe in themselves, have a voice, and know that they can become the best version of themselves with the right support.
Chantel has become relentless in personal development and has seen first-hand the benefits of accountability and mentorship on her own personal growth. She now wants to share that with others. Having worked in education for many years and taught amongst some of the most diverse cohorts, Chantel is an advocate for accredited qualifications but also for the non-academic skills and qualities that are also needed. She believes vision, purpose, and goals are just as necessary, if not more so in today’s ever changing society.
Dionne
I started Sister2Sister because I’m passionate about empowering young ethnic minority females to reach their full potential. Self-development has been instrumental for me, and this has inspired the foundation of Sister2Sister.
I grew up on a council estate, in a single parent household and attended the local state funded school, therefore I understand the young females’ journey. I want to help them embrace their background and appreciate their self-worth so they can be role models, making valuable contributions to the diverse society we live in.
I was fortunate to know what I wanted to achieve and qualified as a solicitor in 2009 which took perseverance despite the challenges. I recognise that not all females from ethnic minority backgrounds can keep pushing through when the odds are against them. I have significant experience of mentoring and coaching ethnic minorities and staff from disadvantaged backgrounds within the Civil Service. I partake in social mobility programmes aimed at supporting students.
My purpose is to be the best version of myself and to share that wisdom amongst young women from disadvantaged backgrounds who may lack the skills to genuinely believe in themselves. I will share my experiences to instil them with the confidence to dream big, aim high and shape their future for a better tomorrow.