My name is Dayna Thomas, and I was born and raised in Augusta, GA before moving to Charlotte, NC at 12. Growing up, I had an older brother and divorced parents who both played roles in my life. Like so many young women, my high school years were filled with challenges—heartbreaks, losing friends, financial struggles, and a constant battle with my own confidence.

I started working at just 14, learning early on the value of independence and perseverance. At the same time, I turned to poetry as an outlet for clarity and healing, while also learning how to navigate moments of pain and self-discovery. Through it all, I pushed forward—graduating high school a semester early, completed dual enrollment at CPCC, and went on to pursue my degree in Marketing at North Carolina A&T State University.

It was at A&T in 2017 that I sketched the first idea for Storm Sister and created a logo that stayed in my phone for years. Back then, it didn’t take off because I was still living in my own storm, searching for the mentorship, community, and sisterhood I longed for.

Now, at 26, I’m ready. I’ve built my career in marketing, launched and managed businesses—including a clothing boutique I ran for nearly six years and a photography studio I owned for two. I’ve learned what it takes to build something real. Today, I know I am walking in my purpose: creating the space I once needed, guiding the next generation through their storms, and showing young women they are never alone.

Storm Sister Project is more than an idea—it’s the sisterhood I wished for and the legacy I’m proud to build.