Conversations with Robin Daniels

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Daniels.

Hi Robin , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Robin Daniels, and this is how Sisters of Watts came to be—and how we continue to grow each day.

I grew up in Watts alongside my sister Keisha, immersed in a community rich in spirit but often underserved. Along with my sisters Penny, Jessica, our cousin Joann, and close friends Tamatha and Tamicha, we saw the lack of safe spaces and positive opportunities for our youth. What began as heartfelt kitchen-table conversations about giving back morphed into action in 2016—that’s when we officially founded Sisters of Watts as a nonprofit. From our first backpack giveaways and community shower of love, we realized how powerful it is when a neighborhood comes together.

In 2018, we were honored as Nonprofit of the Year by Assemblyman Mike Gibson—proof that our grassroots spirit was making a meaningful impact. We’ve also been featured on KCRW, Ellen DeGeneres, and even during Super Bowl LVII festivities through the NFL Foundation’s Champions Live Here program.

Today, as CEO, alongside Keisha who’s our COO, we oversee a range of year-round programs that spring from the heart of Watts:

Back 2 School Giveaway & Resource Fair – annual event filling backpacks, distributing supplies, and connecting families with critical services

Community House – a community hub offering mentorship, homework help, nutritious meals, and emotional support.

Lunch/Summer Programs – free meals and enrichment for youth during school breaks and community engagement meetings.

.Stay Fit Classes & Peace Marches – nurturing healthy bodies and minds while promoting unity.

Support for Seniors & Families – holiday meals, vaccine clinics, legal advice, small business support—and more

Our mission is simple but profound: unite neighborhoods, strengthen families, and build lasting relationships
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Our Weekly

All of us at Sisters of Watts live here. We’re nurturers, mentors, and neighbors because this is our home—and we’re deeply committed to helping it thrive.

Every grant, sponsorship, or volunteer hour adds momentum to our vision: a Watts where our children and families flourish, supported by a community that sees them, values them, and uplifts them.

Thanks for taking the time to hear our story. We’re proud of where we’ve been, and energized for the journey ahead.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—and honestly, I don’t think we expected it to be. When we started Sisters of Watts, it was out of love and urgency, but we didn’t have a roadmap. We just knew our community needed help, and we were willing to be the ones to step up.

One of the biggest struggles early on was funding. We were doing everything from our own pockets—buying backpacks, feeding families, paying for event permits—and we didn’t have major sponsors or grants at first. We were also learning the nonprofit world as we went: how to apply for funding, how to build a board, how to manage programs while also still being moms, caretakers, and full-time community members.

Another challenge was being taken seriously. A group of Black women from Watts—people didn’t always believe in our vision at first. There were moments where doors were closed, or where our efforts were overlooked. But we just kept showing up, kept doing the work, and little by little, people began to see that we weren’t going anywhere. We were consistent. We were rooted.

During the pandemic, the need skyrocketed. We had families who couldn’t get food, children who couldn’t get online for school, seniors who were isolated. It was overwhelming—but we leaned in even more. We delivered meals, gave out Chromebooks, and even helped people get vaccinated.

There were also times when the emotional toll hit hard. We’ve sat with grieving families, helped people facing eviction, and watched kids go through heartbreaking situations. But even in those moments, we reminded ourselves why we started this work—to be a lifeline for people who feel forgotten.

Every challenge shaped us. We learned, we grew, and we built something powerful. And that’s why we keep pushing—because we know what’s on the other side of struggle is strength, and our community deserves nothing less.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The most rewarding part of our journey has been building something meaningful—something rooted in love, lived experience, and real community care. When we started Sisters of Watts, we didn’t have formal training or a blueprint. We had our hearts, our faith, and a deep sense of responsibility to serve the same streets that raised us.

We’ve worn every hat imaginable—organizer, mentor, social worker, fundraiser, counselor, and even janitor—because this work doesn’t come with a script. We’ve stayed up late packing backpacks, dealt with last-minute event emergencies, and hustled to secure sponsors so that kids wouldn’t go without. We’ve had to teach ourselves how to build a nonprofit, manage finances, and advocate for our community in rooms we weren’t always welcomed in.

But the most rewarding part is seeing the impact. Watching families find safety and support at our community House. Seeing kids we’ve mentored grow into confident young leaders. Hearing a mother say, “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.” That’s when we know the work matters.

This hasn’t been easy—but it’s been purposeful. And doing it side by side as sisters, both by blood and by mission, has made the journey even more powerful. Together, we’re building a legacy of hope for Watts—and we’re just getting started.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
For Sisters of Watts, the most important characteristic behind our success is our deep connection to the community we serve. We were born and raised in Watts. We live here. We’ve experienced the same challenges our neighbors face — from food insecurity to housing instability — and that lived experience fuels everything we do.

Another key to our success is our resilience. As a nonprofit, we’ve faced plenty of obstacles: limited funding, lack of resources, and at times, being underestimated. But we’ve never let that stop us. We show up — every single day — because the people in our community count on us. Whether it’s providing backpacks, meals, or a safe space for families, we always find a way to make it happen.

We also believe our authenticity and trust are what make us different. Our supporters and partners know that we follow through. And our community knows that when we say we’re going to do something, we do it — with love, intention, and accountability.

At the heart of it all is our teamwork. We are a family-driven organization led by women who lift each other up. From Keisha to the volunteers to our youth mentors, everyone plays a role. That unity and shared purpose is what keeps us strong — and growing.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: sisters_of_watts
• Facebook: robinsistersofwattsdaniels
• Twitter: @sistersofwatts
• Youtube: sisters of watts

Image Credits
SISTERS OF WATTS