You Sponsored by TJ Maxx
In a world full of brand deals and logo placements, we flipped the script and asked: what if women got sponsored just for being themselves? Enter You Sponsored by TJ Maxx, the first-ever sponsorship for everyday women who are boldly and authentically themselves. We awarded 10 women $10,000 each in custom support. Real money, real connections, real backing for women writing their own playbooks.
To launch the program, we teamed up with Olympian Ilona Maher and 4 powerhouse co-sponsors: Chloe Flower, Jen Atkin, Carly Cushnie, and Renée Elise Goldsberry. They shared the program on their social channels, connected with our winners, and led a high-impact media event and panel on what it means to be a True Original.
THE HERO FILM
THE WINNERS
ANGELA - An education-based nonprofit founder and podcast host who has turned personal challenges into a mission to uplift families, educators, and women in her community. Now, she plans to leverage her sponsorship to grow her HER Space Unscripted podcast—amplifying stories of resilience and inspiring others to lead with truth, courage, and purpose.
MONIQUE - A former nurse turned full-time content creator, Monique empowers women to navigate seasons of change with confidence and style. Through her sponsorship, she is planning to expand her online social community into real-world experiences with “Diva Dialogues.” These workshops and panels are designed to inspire bold self-expression, foster connection, and help women confidently chart their own paths.
KEIONA - The founder of Lovely’s Sewing & Arts Collective, a program that empowers individuals of all ages to embrace their creativity and originality while learning a sustainable trade, sewing. She plans to further her own education, grow visibility for her designs, and continue inspiring confidence and opportunity among her students through her sponsorship.
LINDSAY - Founder of Beauty Holiday, a nonprofit that transforms surplus beauty products into empowering self-care for women and families facing hardship, Lindsay will use her sponsorship to expand the reach of her give back initiatives across the country and to continue to develop sustainable strategies for brands, editors, and creators to give back with purpose.
BELLA - College volleyball player and founder of Serving Up Shoes, Bella created a nonprofit that donates athletic gear to underserved youth so more kids can access the game. With her sponsorship, she plans to scale her impact to new communities while balancing the demands of being both a student-athlete and a nonprofit leader.
MADELYN - The founder of T.R.A.P. Opera – “The Reimagined Artistic Progressive Opera” – a bold fusion of opera, R&B, hip hop, jazz, and world music that reflects her diverse background and fearless artistry. With this support, she is seeking to extend her genre-defying movement, amplify her vision, uplift women through storytelling, and inspire others to own their voices and lead with confidence.
JASMIN - As a neurologist-in-training, Jasmin has a passion for making brain health more accessible and impactful through her lived experience. With support from her sponsorship, she will create storytelling projects that illuminate real experiences of neurological conditions and bring vital health education to the communities who need it most.
KRISTIN - The founder of Art Sphere Inc., a nonprofit that brings free arts education to underserved youth in Philadelphia and beyond and celebrates individuality through creativity. Her sponsorship support will help widen her global impact, ensuring every student has access to the tools, education, and inspiration to see creativity as a right—not a luxury.
BRANDI - Actress, producer, and writer who founded Silly Instinct Studios, Brandi uses comedy, fashion, and cultural commentary to prove that “weird is award-winning” and that power doesn’t require perfection. Now, she plans to amplify her bold vision, expand her creative platform, and continue empowering women and underserved youth through mentorship and storytelling.
ILINA - The founder of Roster Radio, a community and IRL event series that democratizes access to thought-leadership, learning, and connections in the beauty industry. With support from her sponsorship, she plans to expand her community and membership offerings, while creating more opportunities for the next generation of leaders—like herself—in beauty.
