Who We Are
Storm Sister Project is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young women ages 13–24 through mentorship, workshops, and community events. We provide guidance, resources, and safe spaces that help every sister build confidence, resilience, and lasting connections.
Our mission empowers young women to rise above life’s storms by connecting them with positive role models and offering free opportunities for growth, self-expression, and sisterhood.
A world where no young woman has to face life’s challenges alone — because she always has a sister by her side.
Why It Matters
Too many young women feel alone as they navigate school, friendships, careers, and life transitions. Storm Sister Project bridges the gap by pairing them with mentors, offering safe community spaces, and creating experiences that inspire confidence and growth.
Based in
Charlotte, NC
Why Girls Need This
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Mentorship Gap
• 1 in 3 young people grow up without a mentor
• 65% of girls wish they had one but don’t know where to find it
• Mentored youth are 78% more likely to give back and lead
• Girls with mentors are 2x more likely to enroll in college and stay in school
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Mental Health Crisis
• 1 in 3 teen girls feel persistently sad or hopeless
• 57% of teen girls report overwhelming anxiety
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for girls ages 10–24
• NC ranks 42nd in the U.S. for youth mental health access
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Sisterhood Gap
• 50% of girls say they don’t have a safe place to talk
• Girls lose up to 30% of their confidence by age 14
• Only 1 in 4 girls say they feel supported by female peers in school
• 59% of teen girls feel pressure to “handle problems on their own”
Our Story
Storm Sister Project was born from a personal truth: I grew up without a big sister and without a mentor I could turn to when life got hard. My mom was my rock and always there for me, but like many young women, there were times I craved guidance from someone closer to my stage of life—someone just a few steps ahead who understood what I was going through.
Instead, I leaned heavily on my friends. They were my version of sisterhood, but we were all figuring things out together—basically the blind leading the blind. When I transitioned into highschool, college and later into adulthood, I faced new challenges—struggling with confidence, navigating career setbacks, and searching for community. I joined programs for young women, but I often left feeling like something was missing: I didn’t feel truly seen, safe, or able to show up as my full self.
That’s why I created Storm Sister Project: the space I once longed for. A place where young women don’t just attend events, but actually feel excited to be there. A place where mentorship is real, bonds are lasting, and every sister is reminded she’s not alone in her storm.
What started as a vision is now becoming a movement: a community rooted in guidance, growth, and sisterhood.
Founder, Dayna Thomas
Our Values
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We believe mentorship changes lives.
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We provide opportunities to learn, build confidence, and thrive.
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We foster connection, compassion, and lasting community.
Meet the Team
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Dayna Thomas
Founder & Executive Director
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Taylor Bullock
Director of Operations & Programs
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Bria Waller
Development & Partnerships Director
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Shiron Johnson
Mentorship & Governance Advisor
The Power of Mentorship
Mentorship leaves an imprint that lasts a lifetime. Our stories prove that when you pour into one girl, you help shape generations to come.
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“Long before I knew His name or the power that lay therein, God sent you as an angel into my life. I am forever grateful for your unselfish acts of kindness—taking time to invest in a little Black girl named Yvonne. You took me to church, fed me, clothed me, and shared your family with me. You exposed me to stability and success I hadn’t known. You loved me.
I understand now that God used you in a most powerful, beautiful, and wonderful way. The seeds you planted have grown into a beautiful tree—producing fruit that remains. For one little Black girl, you made a difference.”
— Yvonne, former mentee
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“Dayna has been such an inspiration in my life. She’s always led by example—driven, creative, and never afraid to chase what she wants. I’ve learned so much from her, from building my resume to finding the confidence to start my own business. She always had me helping with her projects, and through that, I got to see what hard work and purpose really look like. Dayna has shown me that anything is possible when you believe in yourself.”
— Jennie, former mentee
The Ripple Effect of Sisterhood
Stories like this remind us why mentorship matters—and why sisterhood will always be at the heart of the Storm Sister Project.