SisterMentors Podcast

S2 E4 Ruhama Yared: Navigating New Worlds and Breaking Barriers

Ruhama Yared is one of the many successful young women SisterMentors helped prepare for college starting in middle school. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree from Goucher College and a Master’s from the University of Virginia. Today, she is a software engineer after a long career teaching Math to children and youth.  In this episode, Ruhama talks about how SisterMentors impacted her academic and personal life.

S2 E3 Dr. Sheri Sesay-Tuffour: Embracing Differences and Nurturing Talents

Sheri Sesay-Tuffour is one of the SisterMentors women who earned her Ph.D. while raising young children and working full time. She is currently the CEO of a major association. Listen to her story about how she did it all and the important role SisterMentors and her family played in her success.

S2 E2 Dr. Regina Fuller-White: Bridging Gaps and Building Futures

In this heartwarming and insightful episode, join us as Dr. Regina Fuller-White, a recent Ph.D. graduate, shares her remarkable journey from Spartanburg, South Carolina, to becoming a global influencer in international affairs. Regina delves into how her grandmother's unwavering support influenced her educational and professional pursuits. From her first passport to studying abroad in the Dominican Republic and Ghana, Regina's story is one of determination, cultural exploration, and the pursuit of opportunities that were once denied to black women in her grandmother's era.

S2 E1 Dr. Adrienne Smith: From Stuck to PhD

In this far-reaching and dynamic interview, Adrienne Smith, one of SisterMentors’ Ph.Ds, shares her journey of getting beyond stagnation, writing her dissertation, and then launching her career as a leader in women’s health. She then circles back to why SisterMentors’ focus on women of color is important in these critical times.

S1 E10 Shoji Malone: Cultivating Culture - Black Women, Church Hats, and Doctoral Dreams

We're joined by Shoji Malone, a first-generation college graduate and now a full-time professor, as she recounts her enriching journey from Milwaukee to the halls of academia. Shoji opens up about her family's roots in the Great Migration, her early exposure to the importance of Black culture and education, and the challenges she faced transitioning from a communications major to a doctoral candidate. Her dissertation on Black women and church hats is not only a study of adornment but a profound exploration of identity, culture, and resistance. Shoji also shares her transformative experience with SisterMentors, where she found solace and support among peers who understood the unique pressures of writing a dissertation. She reflects on the pivotal role the community played in her academic progress, especially during the isolating times of the pandemic. Join host Kahmeela Adams in celebrating Shoji's achievements and the invaluable impact of SisterMentors on her path to success. Discover how this nurturing network continues to empower women and girls of color in their educational pursuits, fostering a legacy of leadership and excellence.