WHAT CAN YOU BUILD ON A FOUNDATION OF ICE? 2017 ANNUAL REPORT Being a part of Figure Skating in Harlem was a blessing. “ At the tender age of seven, I didn’t realize exactly what this program offered me. Now at the age of seventeen I clearly see its vision. I was granted a sisterhood that couldn’t be found anywhere else. I was granted a safe space to make mistakes and find out who I am. I was granted the opportunity to blossom into a fearless, independent, and intelligent young woman. I’m proud to say that I will be attending Howard University with a full tuition scholarship this fall. To my young Harlem and Detroit sisters: you, too, will make this world a better place with Olympian Sasha Cohen opens The Rink at Rockefeller Center with FSH students. the skills you will learn at FSH. You each have something remarkable about yourselves that CELEBRATING 20 YEARS! might not be revealed just yet. But trust me, it’s there, forming and growing stronger each day. You are in the early stages of becoming a OUR MISSION IS TO HELP GIRLS TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES AND diamond. Being carved and cut, so that you are GROW IN CONFIDENCE, LEADERSHIP AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. ready to shine to the world like all of us at FSH FIGURE SKATING IN HARLEM IS THE ONLY ORGANIZATION FOR who have come before you.” GIRLS OF COLOR THAT COMBINES THE POWER OF EDUCATION WITH ACCESS TO THE ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE OF FIGURE SKATING — TANAY DAVIS, FSH SENIOR TO BUILD CHAMPIONS IN LIFE. FIGURE SKATING IN HARLEM 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 1 ALUMNA STORIES: MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Twenty years ago, Figure Skating in Harlem was founded on the core belief that combining the grace and discipline SHERRIE SMITH of figure skating, rigorous academics, and leadership development unlocks the potential inside each and I was honored to be in the first class of Figure Skating every young girl. This is truer today than ever before in Harlem 20 years ago! After the program, I went on to as one by one our students build a foundation on ice Northeastern University earning a bachelor’s degree in that extends throughout their lives. Business Administration, double majoring in Accounting and Finance, in 2010. After graduating, I received a full-time As a result, we’ve created a community of committed, resilient, focused, confident and caring young oer to Goldman Sachs where I am currently a Senior women who are making a dierence in the world around them. In 2017, our model now extends Associate within the Finance Division. I currently sit on the beyond New York City to deserving young girls in Detroit, a city in transformation. Your support is advisory board for Figure Skating in Harlem and am ecstatic the spark upon which each student begins their unique journey of growth and achievement. to see the progress it has made over the years. With gratitude and appreciation, MEILING JABBAAR Sharon Cohen Ellen Lowey I was a participant of Figure Skating in Harlem for 10 years! Founder and Chief Executive Officer Chair, Board of Directors Happy to announce that two years ago I graduated from Brown University, where I received my bachelor’s degree in Public Policy. I currently work at an education organization FIGURE SKATING IN HARLEM’S THREE PILLARS called Practice Makes Perfect as a Recruitment Coordinator. Our aim is to give students a solid foundation to achieve success in all aspects of their lives. I am incredibly grateful for my experience at FSH because I We do this through a proven model that has three pillars. wouldn’t be where I am today without it! SCARLETT JIMENEZ My name is Scarlett Jimenez and I joined Figure Skating in Harlem in 2004 at the age of 11. I stayed with the program throughout high school, graduating in 2011. I attended EDUCATION SKATING, LEADERSHIP Lafayette College and graduated with a B.A in Engineering Classes in Financial HEALTH & FITNESS Classes in self-advocacy, Studies. I currently work as an Assistant Project Manager Literacy, Communications, Skating instruction, leadership, and conflict for Hunter Roberts Construction Group and am one of Science, Technology, off-ice conditioning, resoultion. Career and three team members overseeing the mechanical trades for Engineering and Math dance, nutrition classes, cultural trips expand a 64-story residential tower. FSH has taught me that if we (STEM). College access and competitive student horizons. Through work hard enough and with the right support we can land workshops, guidance, and synchronized skating group discussion and that jump, or for me today, that overseeing $20 million individualized and group teams promote mentoring, students learn dollars’ worth of work is possible. My journey with FSH was tutoring, support health and fitness. about identity, self-actualization, one in a million, and has forever shaped and strengthened educational goals. setting life goals and planning the person that I am today. for their futures. 2 FIGURE SKATING IN HARLEM 2017 ANNUAL REPORT FIGURE SKATING IN HARLEM 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 3 20 YEARS: FROM DREAM 1997 Figure Skating in Harlem becomes a 501(c)(3) TO REALITY charitable organization. 2002 It’s not where you are, Our first fundraiser is held at the APOLLO THEATER. After capturing Olympic Gold, SARAH it’s where you are going! HUGHES conducts skating seminars SCOTT HAMILTON is the first to join the Honorary and educational sessions for students. Board and visits Harlem for an on-ice workshop. 1991 2001 SHARON COHEN is invited to East Harlem 2011 Our o¥ce moves from Sharon Cohen’s living by Gene Kitt and Bernice DeAbreu of Upward, room to 361 West 125th Street. We open our ACADEMIC CENTER with four 2006 Inc. to teach figure skating to a handful of dedicated classrooms and storage space for FSH graces the cover of young girls, laying the foundation for FSH. Students perform on THE WEEKEND TODAY skates, costumes, educational materials and SHOW to Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke.” Skating Magazine, and wins academic technology. the Maybelline’s Women Inspiring Confidence through Our SUMMER DREAMS CAMP is launched. Education Award announced We can now provide girls year-round skating in PEOPLE MAGAZINE. and academic programs! 2007 2012 2010 Students choose the Ice Show theme, A GIFT FROM AFRICA to pay homage The PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL We initiate our first GIRLS’ SYNCHRONIZED SKATING to its rich musical history. ON FITNESS, SPORTS AND TEAMS. The only teams of color in the country! NUTRITION recognizes FSH and its founder with the prestigious Students visit with SUPREME COURT JUSTICE SONIA Community Leadership Award. SOTOMAYOR in Washington, D.C., for Career Week. 2013 The International Olympic Committee features FSH as a model organization in their GET MOVING! Guide to Managing ‘Sport for All’ Programs. 2014 2015 2016 FSH Founder, Sharon Cohen is named a Global organization, Beyond Sport, Legendary Actress “CNN HERO.” awards FSH the prestigious 2015 CICELY TYSON is SPORT FOR EDUCATION AWARD. honored at our 11th Students performed at Grand Central Station Skating with the with Disney on Ice characters. United States Olympic Committee Stars Gala. gives Figure Skating in Harlem the RINGS CITI creates a commercial for the Sochi OF GOLD AWARD in recognition of our 2017 Olympics featuring FSH student Zenzile Tonge commitment to nurturing and developing and Olympic Champion EVAN LYSACEK. the dreams and goals of children. FSH launches FIGURE SKATING IN DETROIT and becomes a national organization. 4 FIGURE SKATING IN HARLEM 2017 ANNUAL REPORT FIGURE SKATING IN HARLEM 2017 ANNUAL REPORT 5 2017 HIGHLIGHTS COLLEGE & CAREER ACCESS SYNCHRONIZED SKATING TEAMS “The 2014 high school graduation rate was only 64% and the “ Organized sports activity helps children develop and New York State Board of Education estimates that only 35% improve cognitive skills.” of those graduates had the skills they needed to succeed in (K-4th grade study by Piche, 2014). college or start a career.” 2017 marked the 7th Anniversary of our Harlem Ice Synchronized Throughout the year, FSH high school students attended intensive Skating Program. Our three teams were comprised of 41 FSH college prep workshops, toured college campuses, and participated girls, ranging in ages from 7 to 18 years old. Our Harlem Ice girls in high-quality SAT preparation courses. Science, Technology, are the only teams of color at competitions up and down the Engineering and Math, (STEM) careers were explored with exciting Eastern seaboard. This year, two teams won gold medals at the Career Week visits to Yahoo!, Bloomberg and PIMCO. competitive meets, one with a rousing program inspired by Hamilton: The American Musical. 25% 425 93% 96% 74% competed improved in feel safe students were served 69% on synchronized STEM knowledge. and supported. have a positive skating teams. in Harlem and receive free or reduced lunch. body image. Detroit in FY 17. 1/3 100% 50+ of our students 85% news outlets covered hold an ‘A’ of parents reported graduate high our groundbreaking Average. improved school and go program. on to college. self-confidence in their daughter. DETROIT LAUNCH IN THE SPOTLIGHT “ There’s a wonderful figure skating community and history in Figure Skating in Harlem was featured in the press this year Detroit, so the [Figure Skating in Harlem] expansion was the with more than 50 mentions! From Forbes.com to the perfect opportunity for the city!” WashingtonPost.com; to the cover of the Women in Higher — Meryl Davis, Olympic Champion Education, to a special segment on the national talk show, Harry. FSH was a featured panelist at the United Nation’s Figure Skating in Harlem launches its first chapter Figure Skating in Women’s Economic Principles Forum, and the Beyond Detroit (FSD) in November 2016 under the direction of Dr.