In March, the Surge Institute is celebrating Women’s History Month, which honors the contributions of women leading sustainability efforts across environmental, economic, educational, and social justice movements. This week, we highlight Imani Strong (CHI25) and Tiara Wheatley (CHI20). 

Grounded in a Mother’s Love

Sisters Imani Strong (CHI25) and Tiara Wheatley (CHI20) beam when describing their mother’s love, which they say informs, inspires, and infuses their work with the next generation of women leaders through Young Women’s Leadership Society (YWLS).

“Mom called me the other day,” says Imani. “The first thing she said was ‘I love you!’ I said, ‘I love you, too!’ I think about that kind of love. That’s the kind of love I want to give my girls every afternoon I meet with them. ‘I love y’all, and I’m SO glad you are here!’” 

Tiara adds, “Our mom assumes so many roles: traveling friend, party starter, disciplinarian, co-founder. She’s everywhere we are. She takes care of us. There are five sisters, and she embodies the very best in all of us.”

Modeling a Mother’s Love

In 2011, Tiara found a new way to model her mom’s love. Tiara was an administrator at Chicago Tech Academy, where, at that time, there were very few Black staff members in a school composed predominantly of Black students. “When I got here, students said, ‘Oh, there’s a Black woman here. She looks like us. She’s young. Maybe she lives in the same community. She looks relatable.’”

Before long, a crowd of young women would gather in her office each day, comforted by a familiar face in a safe space. Tiara decided to formalize this gathering into YWLS.

What began as an after-school girls’ space expanded into a multi‑pillar youth development program focused on self-discovery, STEM, entrepreneurship, college/career readiness, culture, joy, and legacy.  YWLS partners with local companies (e.g., the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago) and tech firms to showcase diverse career paths and workplace roles to students. Enrichment activities include a recent trip to the Joffrey Ballet, HBCU college visits, aerial yoga, and other culturally rooted, joyful exposures designed to broaden students’ experiences and memories while motivating future planning.

When asked about the importance of young girls of color seeing leaders who look like them, Tiara explains that visible role models make ambitions believable. “Their exposure to leaders supports professional and personal growth, and access to social capital enables them to aim for college, high-paying jobs, travel, and broader life choices.”

Love Takes Shape

In 2022, Tiara left her role at Chicago Tech Academy to join Surge (where she currently serves as Chief of Staff), but both Tiara and the school wanted to continue the work of YWLS. Imani, who was also a staff member at Chicago Tech Academy, stepped in to run the program. In 2025, Tiara and Imani decided to transform YWLS into an independent entity, creating a 501(c) (3) that will serve multiple school sites throughout Chicago.

“YWLS is more than just an after-school program,” says Imani.  “We’ve created a leadership pipeline for our girls. It's a sisterhood. It's a development space. They are learning skills that aren’t being taught in schools, especially public schools. We are helping to develop them for a future beyond high school.”

The Surge Effect

Both sisters credit Surge with helping shape their leadership vision for YWLS.

Imani highlights the opportunities for reflection, coaching, and exposure to different areas of education. “Surge helped me to see my skills for what they truly are. I know I can be great! And that’s the same thing I want for our YWLS girls: to be able to implement this kind of confidence and self-reflection in every space they occupy.”

Tiara adds, “Surge instilled in me what I knew to be true but wasn't spoken loudly enough: ‘There is power in community.  There is brilliance.’ I want our YWLS girls to see this and know this, too.”

The Surge Institute salutes women like Imani and Tiara, whose love is being passed to the next generation with presence, consistency, and purpose.