Keynote speaker Kalimah Salahuddin (center) addresses Cohort 18 during their first class.
WANDA’s 18th Group of Single Mothers
Earlier this month, we launched Cohort 18 — the 18th group of single moms to begin the WANDA program. This first class was held in person at Bloomhouse, a community event space in East Palo Alto. Over coffee and bagels, with vivid murals as backdrop, the energy in the room was palpable as these 31 new WANDA moms mingled with their peers and members of WANDA’s board and staff. A high point was an inspiring speech by community leader and single-mom-extraordinaire, Kalimah Salahuddin, who reminded the group “not to let anyone take away their shine.” Special thanks to Kalimah for coming back to our organization after her moving keynote address to this year’s graduates to continue to share her wise words with this new cohort of single moms.
We look forward to the year ahead, and to empowering these motivated women to learn, grow, and shine.