Aligning with Mendes’s own lived expertise, EMPath’s mission supports moms experiencing poverty to realize their biggest dreams

BOSTON – This year, local entrepreneur and philanthropist Shellee Mendes’s annual “White Party” will benefit Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath), a Boston-based nonprofit, led by former Boston Mayor Kim Janey, that supports families with low incomes, helping them to climb the economic ladder. Shellee Mendes is owner of Salon Monét, the only business on Boston’s celebrated Newbury Street owned by an African-American woman. Salon Monét was recently named by Boston.com as one of the Top 15 Businesses on Newbury Street.

Mendes’s annual White Party brings together the local Boston community to celebrate her birthday, while donning their best all-white attire. Each year, Mendes selects a local nonprofit to donate event proceeds to. The event will be co-hosted by former Mayor Kim Janey, EMPath President & CEO, and Rhondella Richardson, Emmy award-winning journalist at WCVB Channel 5 and co-anchor of NewsCenter 5’s weekend morning newscasts.

“We are deeply grateful to Shellee for dedicating her annual birthday party – one of the most highly anticipated events of the summer – to supporting EMPath and our mission of meeting moms where they are and where they dare to dream,” said Kim Janey, President & CEO of EMPath. “The proceeds will have a far-reaching impact on so many families in our programs who are making inspiring strides towards their goals. The event is sure to be unforgettable.”

EMPath is a 200-year-old national nonprofit that works to disrupt poverty through their multi-faceted approach, combining direct services, including their shelter programs for women and children as well as other economic mobility programs; their global learning network including member organizations across Massachusetts; research for what actually works; and advocacy to advance systemic policy change.

EMPath is best known for its research-backed coaching model, called Mobility Mentoring. All individuals in EMPath’s programs are paired one-on-one with a mentor who provides support as they set and work towards goals across all areas of their lives, from financial management, to education and training. Since the model launched 15 years ago, participants in EMPath’s flagship program have more than doubled their incomes, unlocking opportunities to get advanced degrees and good jobs, save money, buy their first home, and more.

In June 2024, EMPath celebrated its 200^th history of empowering women and strengthening families at its annual gala, where the organization honored Mendes with EMPath’s EMPower Award for her incredible contributions to creating a world where all women can thrive. Mendes was honored alongside Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and philanthropist and community champion Sandy Edgerley.

“I’m so proud to honor the incredible work that EMPath does not only here in the Boston community, but across Massachusetts and nationwide,” said Mendes. “I know firsthand how life-changing the deep support from organizations like EMPath can be. EMPath’s work to provide greater access to guidance and resources is transformational and has given so many women the opportunity for a second chance.”

Mendes is particularly drawn to EMPath’s mission given her own lived experience combating poverty and living in a Quincy shelter with her two young children. While holding down a full-time job in the financial district, she freelanced evenings doing hair at Newbury Street salons. Her skills and personality were recognized, and with support and savings, she opened Salon Monét in 2003, becoming the only African American female hair salon owner on Newbury Street. Mendes now owns two hair salons on Newbury Street. Past benefiting organizations of Mendes’s White Party include Boston Arts Academy Foundation and Boys & Girls Club of Boston, among others.

Mendes thanked all those supporting her “White Party Birthday!” and encouraged individuals, organizations and companies to buy tickets and sponsorships. She noted that longtime supporter Josh Kraft provided a generous sponsorship to enable low-income families served by EMPath to attend. Kraft is an American nonprofit executive who is the head of Kraft Family Philanthropies and board chairman of the National Urban League's Eastern Massachusetts chapter.

To learn more about EMPath, visit empathways.org. To purchase a ticket to the White Party, visit https://empathways.org/shellee-mendes-white-party

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Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath) is a 200-year-old organization that dramatically improves the lives of people living in poverty. Because creating economic opportunity is multifaceted, EMPath's approach is too. EMPath offers a unique combination of direct services; a learning network of human services organizations; and research and advocacy for what works. This “virtuous circle” allows each part of the organization’s work to inform what it knows, does, and shares with others to seed systemic change. To learn more, visit empathways.org.