Wanting to do more than report on lives disrupted by tragedy, broadcast journalist Soledad O’Brien started the Soledad O’Brien and Brad Raymond Starfish Foundation to help young women succeed despite the odds. Soledad O’Brien started her eponymous foundation to “make a tangible change” for disadvantaged girls.

The first collaborative partnership between PowHERful and IBM happened on Nov 11, 2017. It was held in IBM Austin as an empowerment daylong summit for young women ages 14 to 23 years old. These school and college-aged girls are given a chance to explore different career options, receive useful guidance and advice, and interact with successful professionals.

On Saturday, July 15, Soledad O’Brien and her husband, Brad Raymond, held their seventh annual PowHERful Enrichment Conference in New York City. PowHerful Enrichment Conferences celebrate and extend the reach of the work of their PowHERful Foundation, which equips young women to succeed.