CEO Yasmeen Duncan On Covid-19
Meet Yasmeen Duncan, CEO of The Sisterhood Society for Women of Color
When Black women come together, magic happens. It’s not the kind of magic you’ll see in a Disney fairytale, but the type that shows how safe spaces can bring beautiful things to fruition. While the world continues to perpetuate the “catty woman” stereotype, there are many women who prove the derogatory term to be a mere myth.
Yasmeen Duncan, a 19-year human resource executive, is the epitome of a woman straightening the crowns of others. For years, she has helped various Fortune 500 brands manage decision-making while training, developing, and nurturing employees. Now, she’s using her experience to “provide Black women with tactical, psychological, and emotional resources” that can be utilized in and out of the office through her organization, The Sisterhood Society for Women of Color.
Building a strong foundation
Yasmeen launched The Sisterhood Society for Women of Color in January 2020. The organization’s sole mission is to offer a supportive environment for like-minded women looking to grow in their careers and strengthen their well-being. While she was looking forward to the organization’s first sold-out event in March 2020, the universe had other plans: the COVID-19 global shutdown.
“My coach urged me to pivot and take the business virtual, forcing me to rethink my approach,” Yasmeen exclusively tells HelloBeautiful. “I was challenged to be creative in finding my audience, expanding reach, and connecting with women’s empowerment movements to grow.”
Following the advice, Yasmeen hit the ground running and hosted over 30 virtual events in one year. However, while working as a one-woman show and juggling multiple roles, exhaustion didn’t take long to surface.
“I focused on doing it all rather than prioritizing my well-being,” she admits. “This exhaustion forced the movement into a two-year hiatus, giving me time to secure a team, refine the vision, and rethink our relaunch. That period of rest and restructuring was essential for building a stronger foundation for the future.”
Growing The Sisterhood Society for Women of Color’s community
While operating virtually, Yasmine quickly understood the importance of using social media effectively. From Instagram to LinkedIn, she used each platform to connect with professionals, explore their wants and needs, and build a space where women can feel heard and understood.
“Community is at the heart of everything we do at The Sisterhood Society for Women of Color,” Yasmeen shares. “We leverage our monthly subscribers to share resources that empower career growth. By facilitating connections with subject matter experts, we provide tools and insights to support professional development and well-being.”
And while Yasmeen is proud of her work online, bringing together like-minded individuals in person was the missing piece to the vision. Despite some reservations, the Sisterhood Society for Women of Color’s launch event came to life and exceeded all expectations.
“In June 2024, we hosted our sold-out in-person launch event, where attendees from across the country gathered to learn, connect, and build community,” Jasmine says. “The event brought together an unmatched diversity of women, ranging in age from 24 to 77 and representing various ethnicities, races, and nationalities.
Since then, the organization has curated various events—from quarterly brunches and ‘Hey Sis Hangouts’ to the forthcoming Black Girl Joy Conference—focused on prioritizing self-development and providing girl time. In addition, members of the sisterhood can tap into the following resources: fibroid management, mental health, menstrual health, and job recruitment.
Taking in the lessons
The road to entrepreneurship is far from linear, especially for Black women. Although the Harvard Business Review reveals that Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs, longevity is few and far between. From securing funding to obtaining support, countless issues can make or break a business.
While Yasmeen initially faced struggles, she built a successful business by not shying away from learning opportunities. Throughout the journey, she learned that the only way she could succeed with pouring into others was by pouring into herself first, which is a struggle most Black women face daily.
“Pursuing a dream isn’t just about completing tasks—it’s about embodying the mission so execution truly lands,” Yasmeen says. “Sisterhood Society for Women of Color exists to provide Black women with tactical, psychological, and emotional resources, but empowerment starts with taking agency over our own lives. As CEO, I can’t lead this mission if I’m merely checking off to-dos; I must be a resource to myself and others, fully living the message I want women to embrace. It is imperative to be accountable to your mission.”
As Yasmeen continues to uplift Black women via resources and curating safe spaces, she encourages her sisterhood community not to shy away from entrepreneurship.
“Trust your vision and commit fully, even when the path feels uncertain,” she says. “Entrepreneurship requires resilience, so prioritize your well-being as much as your business goals. Build a strong support system, seek mentorship, and don’t be afraid to pivot when necessary. Most importantly, believe that you are worthy of the success you’re building—own your power and take up space.”
Join the Sisterhood Society for Women of Color here.
DON’T MISS:
Sky Heavens’ United Luz Foundation Hosts Pamper Me Event For Domestic Violence Survivors
Meet Yasmeen Duncan, CEO of The Sisterhood Society for Women of Color was originally published on hellobeautiful.com
