UK Happenings

Sister Circle Forum Celebrates and Empowers Women

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 5, 2018) — The Center for Graduate and Professional Diversity Initiatives (CGD) will host "Sister Circle Forum: The Magic is in Me" from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, at The 90.

Sister Circle Forum is a half-day conference for undergraduate, graduate and professional women from the University of Kentucky and the Lexington community. Through interactive workshops, presentations, activities and a dynamic keynote address, conference attendees will engage in critical conversations surrounding women of color in today’s world.

Faculty, staff, students and community members are invited. Conference attendees will receive a special gift and registered guests will be entered into multiple drawings to win Amazon Fire TV Sticks and RCA tablets. Please click here to register.

"Last year the Center for Graduate and Professional Diversity Initiatives hosted the inaugural 'Sister Circle Forum: The Power of Your Reach.' Along with the assistance of a university-wide committee, we engaged with more than 90 women of color," said Morgan Okello, associate director for the Center for Graduate and Professional Diversity Initiatives.

"We received an outpour of positive support and accolades for the Sister Circle Forum. Notably, participants shared feelings of belonging and excitement while spending the day in community with other women who looked like them," Okello added.

The schedule of the day is as follows:

8 a.m. – Registration and Breakfast (The 90, Private Dining Room)

9 a.m. – Welcome (The 90, Private Dining Room)

Morgan Okello, Nicole White, Professor Vanessa Jackson

9:15-10 a.m. – Session I/"Maintaining Your Magic: Self Care"

(Concurrent sessions in various rooms at The 90)

  • "Enhancing the Well-being of African American Women: From Silent Resilience to Healthy Living," Associate Professor Danielle Stevens-Watkins (202)
  • "Racial Battle Fatigue and The Mental Health Perspective," Tomerial Brooks and Adrianna Fisher (211)
  • "Subverting Sexual Stereotype Threat: The Magic of Sexual Self Awareness," Assistant Professor Candice Hargons (215)
  • "Sis, We Got You: Supporting Survivors of Interpersonal Violence," Carol Taylor-Shim (217)

10:15-11 a.m. – Session II/"Maximizing Your Magic: Professional Care"

(Concurrent sessions in various rooms in The 90)

  • "Building an Empire," 2018 Miss Kentucky USA Braea Tilford (202)
  • "Me, Myself, and My Squad: The Importance of Self Work and Accountability For Women of Color," Tanya Torp (211)
  • "Booked and Busy: Saving for Your Future," Hannah Sloan (215)

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – Session III/Girl Boss Panel

(Featured session in The 90, Private Dining Room)

  • Ty-Eisha R. Williams, Hair’s Angels Beauty Salon;
  • Erica Davis, SkyLimit Tutoring LLC;
  • Dominai Ford, Posh Doomz LLC (boutique); and
  • Tereasa Brown, Absolute Body Conditioning and Fresh Focus Wellness Concepts.

12:30-2 p.m.  Luncheon with Keynote Address, Performances and Fierce Awards Presentation

(The 90, Private Dining Room)

  • Keynote address: Marta Mack-Washington, lecturer in the UK Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion; 
  • performances; and
  • Fierce Awards.

"When I decided on 'The Magic is in Me' for this year’s theme, I wanted to communicate the idea of self-love, confidence, individuality and progression. I want attendees to leave this forum feeling empowered, curious and of course, magical," said Nicole White, Sister Circle program chair and student success specialist for the Center for Graduate and Professional Diversity Initiatives.

For more information, contact Morgan Okello at morgan.wagner@uky.edu.