Soul Sisters featured on “SFUSD Loves Learning”

Soul Sisters/Hermanas del Alma

Dr. Vincent Matthews reads Soul Sisters to SFUSD families on YouTube! (See video below)

On Monday, May 17th, 2021 San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) families were surprised with a live reading of a new book focusing on cultural diversity: “Soul Sisters”/“Hermanas del Alma”. Soul Sisters is a bilingual children’s book that highlights the friendship between Crystal and Liset, two young girls living in South Central Los Angeles. Crystal and Liset are best friends who enjoy sharing their unique cultures with each other through every day activities.

SFUSD superintendent, Dr. Vincent Matthews, was especially excited to share “Soul Sisters” since it was co-written by one of SFUSD’s very own staff members, Crystal Hawkins. Dr. Matthews works closely with Crystal Hawkins to ensure that all children ages 3.5-6yrs old in SFUSD have access to the social, emotional and academic supports needed to be kindergarten ready.

Soul Sisters is written by Crystal Hawkins & Ingrid Estrada-Darley, childhood best friends that were born and raised in South Central Los Angeles. Despite attending different high schools and colleges, both Crystal and Ingrid earned a Master’s in Social Work and specialized in Early Childhood Education. Currently, Crystal is the Program Coordinator for SFUSD’s Shoestrings Children’s Center and owns her own clinical therapy practice in Oakland, CA. Ingrid previously worked as an Early Head Start Director in Los Angeles and is now earning her PhD in Policy Analysis at the Pardee RAND Graduate school where she researches policy that impact young children and their families.

Soul Sisters is on presale starting July 19th, 2021. Crystal and Ingrid are excited to share this story with families and educators working with young children. Preorder your copy today!