YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Invisible Woman Collective will host a 1920s Harlem Renaissance-themed art gala fundraiser on Thursday, July 17, at Concept Studio, 217 W. Federal St., downtown.
The goal is to raise funds to help single mothers secure safe and reliable transportation, and thereby reclaim their financial independence.
The event, which starts at 6 p.m., will feature live jazz from the Beck Ward Project and neo-soul singer Morgan Thebes. It will also feature a powerful spoken word performance by Jayaira Grhim-Harvey, curated art showcases, and dancing.
Guests will enjoy small plates and hand-crafted cocktails, which are included with the price of the ticket.
Art from local and regional artists will be available to purchase.
Tickets are $65 ($100 for VIP) and can be purchased at HERE.
Formal or cocktail attire is encouraged. Guests are welcome – but not required – to incorporate 1920s-inspired fashion elements as a nod to the Harlem Renaissance theme
Art auction emcee opportunities are available for local broadcast professionals who want to volunteer their time for the event. Email Karnina at invisiblewomancollective@gmail.com for information.
“Transportation is not just a logistical issue,” said Karnina Szymanski, founder and CEO of Invisible Woman Collective. “It’s a mental health issue. It’s a human dignity issue.”
Szymanski knows the struggles of single mothers.
“As a young parent in Youngstown, I remember carrying the stress of an unreliable car while finishing college and launching my career. Every day, I lived with the fear that mechanical failure could cost me my job or separate me from my children in an emergency, and I had support. Many single mothers do not.”
Szymanski, who lives in California but still has a home in Youngstown, has over two decades of leadership experience in the insurance and technology sectors. Her expertise in financial security, risk management, and community solutions forms the foundation of Invisible Woman’s mission: transforming transportation from a barrier into a bridge.
She is head of community for District Cover, a public benefit insurance company dedicated to expanding access to commercial insurance for city-based businesses.
Invisible Woman is partnering with key community organizations, including Motherful, a Columbus-based nonprofit that champions financial independence and systemic change for single mothers.
“Financial freedom doesn’t start with a budget – it starts with a plan to achieve it,” Szymanski said. “Through collective action, awareness and policy reform, we can break the transportation trap and unlock opportunities for mothers and their families.”
Founded in February, Invisible Woman LLC is a community-driven initiative dedicated to helping single mothers, especially women of color, gain access to safe transportation, financial literacy, and the resources needed to achieve sustainable independence. Rooted in Youngstown, Invisible Woman believes mobility is a human right and a foundation for family security, economic participation, and dignity.
Pictured at top: Karnina Szymanski, founder of Invisible Woman Collective.