Sister Circle Focused on Empowering Women of Color

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 16, 2017) — The Center for Graduate and Professional Diversity Initiatives (CGD) — as stated in their mission statement — strives to promote academic excellence, build inclusive communities and support the professional development of graduate and professional students, with the ultimate goal of developing leaders in academy, industry and society.

As part of that mission, the center is hosting its inaugural Sister Circle Forum — a half-day conference for undergraduate, graduate and professional women of color 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.

“I am so appreciative of the effort that was invested into making Sister Circle an impactful event for our campus and Lexington community. This is just one of the dynamic programs CGD has in store for the support and growth of our graduate and professional students," said Chassity Holliman-Douglas, director of the Center for Graduate and Professional Diversity Initiatives.

“Our hope is that attendees of all ages can walk away from Sister Circle feeling empowered with greater connections and support amongst women of color on campus and in the community," said Morgan Wagner, associate director of the Center for Graduate and Professional Diversity Initiatives and chair of the Sister Circle planning committee.

The Sister Circle Forum will take place 9 a.m.–2 p.m. tomorrow (Friday), Feb. 17, in Woodward Hall in the Gatton College of Business and Economics building. Registration and a continental breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. in the third floor atrium outside of Woodward Hall.

Following registration and breakfast, the schedule of the day is as follows:

9 a.m. – Welcome

(Woodward Hall)

Chassity Holliman-Douglas

Sonja Feist-Price

Morgan Wagner

9:15–10 a.m. – Session I: Health & Wellness

(Concurrent sessions in various rooms in the Gatton Building)

• "Communities of Color and the Impacts of Sexual Violence," Talia Tuesta (room 330)
• "Women of Color and Mental Health: Stigmas and Care," Tina C. Bryant and Tomerial Brooks (room 265)
• "Know Your 'Health' Numbers," Joy Coles (room 257)
• "Living Out Loud: How I Saved My Own Sanity," Carol Taylor-Shim (room 233)

10:15–11 a.m. – Session II: Personal, Professional & Financial Development

(Concurrent sessions in various rooms in the Gatton Building)

• "Mindful Meditation as an Intervention to Impact Stress," Christine Harper (room 330)
• "Mentoring as a Dimension of Building Alliances and Communities in and Beyond the Academy," Faye Harrison (room 265)
• "The Need for Student led Activism: The Model, Tools, and Modern Approach," Erica Littlejohn and Eseosa Ighodaro (room 257)
• "Financially Wise Women: Building a Successful Financial Future," Hannah Sloan and Julie Steele (room 233)

11:15 a.m.–noon – Session III: Women of Color Mentoring Panel

(Featured session in Woodward Hall)

• Anita Fernander
• Candice Hargons (formerly Crowell)
• Stephanie Mayberry
• Trisha Clement-Montgomery
• Javiette V. Samuel

12:15–2 p.m. – Luncheon with Keynote Address, Musical and Spoken Word Performances and Awards Presentation

(Woodward Hall)

• Keynote Address: Colene H. Elridge, MBA; Owner of Be More Consulting, www.CoachColene.com
• Musical Performance: Krissalyn Love
• Spoken Word Performance: Poetic Justice, Alecia Johnson and Kaylyn McCoomer 
• Fierce Awards: A Fierce woman is fearless, resilient, compassionate, inspirational, empowering, determined, and graceful all at the same time! Ours Fierce Awards will recognize nine dynamic women, in five categories: Empower, Fearless, Influence, Resilient, and Essence. Fierce awardees are women who are reaching back into their community and changing the lives of other women.

“I truly believe that it is each woman's responsibility to reach back and cultivate the growth and development of rising women leaders," Wagner said.

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

Last semester, CGD expanded its mission to support the recruitment and retention of students of color from all graduate and professional programs. With this expansion, CGD will be opening an additional campus location in suite 10 in the lower level of the Gillis Building. The grand opening for the new location will be 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23. CGD will celebrate with a dessert social. All students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend.