SisterMentors Podcast

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 per...

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.

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 Dom...

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.

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 doctora...

In this inspiring and transformative episode of SisterMentors Podcast, we delve into the lives of two remarkable individuals connected by mentorship and shared aspirations. Bathsheba Bryant-Tarpeh, a seasoned mentor, and Ruth Solomon, her once-shy mentee, recount their journey together since their pairing in 2015. Ruth, an Ethiopian-American, discusses the profound influence her grandmother had on...

Dr. Randi Gray-Kristensen, a woman with a rich life story, shares her narrative with us. Born in Copenhagen to a Danish father and a Jamaican mother, Randi's life has been a tapestry of cultures, aspirations, and self-determined paths that diverge from her mother's dreams of French Counts and castles. Randi's academic journey, marked by a sense of solitude, was transformed when she enc...

Dive into the inspiring story of Cindy Ayala's transformative journey with SisterMentors. Born and raised in America to Salvadoran parents seeking refuge from war, Cindy faced the challenges of navigating the American education system as a first-generation college student. With the guidance of SisterMentors, Cindy overcame academic hurdles, cultural barriers, and personal doubts to forge her o...

In this inspiring episode we delve into the profound bond between mentor and mentee with Tihitina Dagnachew and her mentor, Treda Grayson. Five years and a shared love for the sciences marked the beginning of a relationship that blossomed into something akin to family. Host Kahmeela Adams leads a touching conversation that uncovers the evolution of their connection, from academic guidance to perso...

In this episode, we spotlight Kedest Firdaweke, an Ethiopian-American filmmaker and storyteller whose path was shaped by the organization's unwavering support. Kedest reflects on her cultural roots, her journey through the American educational system, and the unique challenges she faced as she forged her identity and career. Tune in to discover the profound impact of SisterMentors and the ripp...

In this episode, we shine a light on Margie Obeng's remarkable story of resilience, ambition, and the transformative power of mentorship. Margie, a proud Ghanaian-American, reflects on her educational odyssey and master's degree triumph. She delves into the profound influence her late father had on her academic aspirations, the cultural richness of her upbringing, and the pivotal role Sist...

Dr. Melissa Littlefield is an Associate Professor and Master of Social Work Department at Morgan State University. Dr. Littlefield is an academic leader and freedom fighter who works hard to help elevate the voices of Black women. In this episode, we will discuss how while she was fighting to defend her spirit, she happened upon a group of women who helped to shape her future. 

In a candid conversation with our host, Kahmeela Adams, Dr. Susan Ozawa Perez recounts her earliest school memories, her path to becoming a disruptor in the educational system, and the pivotal role SisterMentors played in her pursuit of higher education. From a Montessori kindergarten to the halls of UC Santa Cruz—where she embraced her activist spirit—she navigates us through her academic and per...

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Judi Moore Latta, one of the founding women of Sister Mentors. She is a storyteller who is one of the “GRITS” (Girls Raised in the South).  A native of Tallahassee, Florida, she is an award-winning journalist and retired professor of communications. Dr. Moore Latta shares stories of growing up in the South and how radio and television production became her passion....