GLOBAL KIDS CHRONICLES:
MAY 2025 UPDATE
Dear Global Kids Community,
As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, we are proud to celebrate the leadership of Global Kids youth in promoting mental wellness. Our Annual Youth Conference provided a powerful platform for students to confront mental health challenges head-on, guided by this year’s theme, “Mental Health is a Voyage, Not a Destination.” Through student-led workshops, performances, and discussions, our youth leaders underscored the importance of creating safe, supportive spaces where their peers can speak openly, feel heard, and access vital resources.
With our 2025 Annual Gala quickly approaching on June 18, we are also thrilled to announce Cheryl McKissack Daniel, president and CEO of McKissack & McKissack, will join Congressman Gregory Meeks, as one of this year’s honorees. As the fifth-generation leader of the nation’s oldest minority- and women-owned design and construction firm, Cheryl has spearheaded groundbreaking projects across New York City and remains a staunch advocate for diversity and inclusion in her field. We look forward to recognizing her incredible impact in the coming weeks.
We’re also proud to recognize our very own Olympia Wilson, senior director of school-age childcare (SACC) programs, who recently received the Quality Leadership Award from The Network for Youth Success. This honor celebrates her long-standing dedication to youth development, and her leadership in the afterschool and expanded learning field.
Check out more highlights, updates, and ways to get involved below!
Honoring a Trailblazer: Cheryl McKissack Daniel to Be Recognized at the 2025 Global Kids Gala
We’re proud to announce that Cheryl McKissack Daniel, president and CEO of McKissack & McKissack, will be honored at our 2025 Annual Gala on June 18 at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City.
As the fifth-generation leader of the nation’s oldest minority- and women-owned design and construction firm, Cheryl is a living testament to legacy, leadership, and impact. With more than 30 years of experience in civil engineering and construction management, she has overseen some of New York City’s most transformative infrastructure projects – including the New Terminal One at JFK, the redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport’s Central Terminal, and the modernization of Harlem Hospital.
Under Cheryl’s leadership, McKissack & McKissack has grown into a powerhouse firm, managing more than $50 billion in projects over the past decade. The company’s portfolio spans a wide range of sectors, from healthcare and education to transportation and cultural institutions, ultimately leaving a lasting, positive impact on the diverse communities it serves.
Cheryl’s influence reaches far beyond the professional realm. A tireless advocate for equity in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries, she ensures that every project her firm leads aligns with the needs and values of the public it touches. Through her mentorship, philanthropic work, and service on various boards, Cheryl has created countless opportunities for women, people of color, and emerging young leaders in underrepresented fields.
We’re incredibly honored to recognize Cheryl at our Annual Gala – not only for her professional achievements, but for the values she champions: vision, leadership, and a steadfast commitment to building a more equitable world for the next generation.
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Global Kids Youth Tackle Mental Health Stigmas at Annual Youth Conference
To kick off Mental Health Awareness Month, Global Kids students gathered at York College for the 2025 Annual Youth Conference to confront mental health stigmas and spark change among their peers. Drawing from personal experience, our students selected this year’s theme, “Mental Health is a Voyage, Not a Destination,” to emphasize the significance of mental health and explore its connection to education and global policy.
From designing the official conference logo to developing and leading interactive workshops, our youth leaders played a pivotal role in promoting awareness – effectively fostering a deeper understanding of how mental health challenges can be addressed within communities.
In collaboration with Search for Education Elevation and Knowledge (SEEK), the conference also featured compelling student performances and presentations that sparked thoughtful discussions on mental health and its intersection with personal and social wellness.
This year’s conference served as a powerful reminder of the impact of youth leadership in driving positive change, while emphasizing the critical need for safe spaces where students can openly discuss mental health challenges and access the support they deserve.
Global Kids youth leaders like Dasha Melendez-Garcia and Christian Gordon shared how the program has deepened their understanding of mental health and empowered them to support their peers — both during the conference and beyond.
Check out the QNS article to learn more about the students’ experiences and highlights from this year’s event.
Citi Volunteers Lend a Hand for the Second Consecutive Year!
On April 29, for the second consecutive year, Citi’s Human Resources Analyst and Associate Program’s Inclusion Council welcomed Global Kids to their Hudson Yards headquarters. At this session, we were given an opportunity to share our mission and the impact of our work across New York City and Washington DC and how they could get involved as volunteers. At the conclusion of this session, attendees joined our staff as we prepared gift bags for our Annual Youth Conference. We’re incredibly appreciative of the ongoing volunteer support of Citi and are looking forward to continuing and growing this collaboration for the future.
Olympia Wilson Recognized for Outstanding Leadership in Youth Development
We’re proud to celebrate Olympia Wilson, senior director of school-age childcare (SACC) programs, for receiving the 2025 Quality Leadership Award from The Network for Youth Success. This prestigious recognition honors exemplary leadership in afterschool, summer, and expanded learning programs across New York State.
With over a decade of experience in youth development, Olympia has championed the critical role of high-quality out-of-school-time programs in supporting the growth and success of young people. Her unwavering commitment to excellence, deep understanding of youth needs, and advocacy for the afterschool field have made a lasting impact – not only at Global Kids, but across the broader educational and nonprofit landscape.
Congratulations, Olympia, on this well-deserved honor!
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