By Isaiah Hayes

The University of Maryland’s Women Empowerment Institute’s new executive board focuses on building an inclusive environment for women of color in the Robert H. Smith School of Business.

Women of color who are members of WEI in the Robert H. Smith School of Business are provided with a place for personal and professional growth by hosting networking events, mentorships, and other programs to get them involved. 

“The mission is to give members the same opportunities that are given to any other student that they might not be aware of,” Miriam Oke, a sophomore finance major and co-chair of WEI, said. “They are presented with the same things so that everyone is able to succeed.”

Oke noticed that, oftentimes, women of color in general do not receive adequate mentorship, leaving them at a disadvantage in front of recruiters. It is important to be intentional about educating this community and providing comfort in the field, she said.

MacLaure Joseph, junior operations management and business analytics major, and vice chair of community and outreach, joined the executive board after becoming a member of WEI in December 2020. She said the organization’s shift from being solely focused on professional development to building sisterhood and community inspired her to join WEI.

“It’s good for us to be able to build that connection to each other and help each other out instead of just being like one person is over here, one person is over there,” Joseph said.

Joseph added that the Smith school is “really competitive,” so WEI reaches out to incoming freshmen and current members to see what would help them feel less isolated in the school. She said that WEI ensures women of color that they are not falling behind.

WEI also works with other organizations, including the National Association of Black Accountants, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and Smith Business Academy, to connect with the minority population on campus through networking events and mentor panels. 

“We have a policy where we send out opportunities through our channels of contact so that everyone’s able to have opportunities that they might not know of,” Co-chair Maya Moore, a sophomore business management major, said.

The organization has a mentorship program where upperclassmen partner with freshmen and sophomores to give academic and professional advice and create a connection between younger and older women of color in the business school.

“Mentors are able to talk to students and ask questions, answer questions and bridge the gap between the upperclassmen and lowerclassmen,” Moore said.

Sandra Cisneros, a freshman marketing major, was invited to WEI by Moore and believes the organization has helped her find more women of color in the business school while also transitioning her from high school to college.

“Being in the WEI program, I’ve met a lot of intelligent, sweet, nice businesswomen who are also people of color,” Cisneros said.

Cisneros said she feels more comfortable in the business school after making other hispanic and Black friends there.

Members are connected to business leaders to give them experiential learning opportunities instead of just providing lectures and professional development. Moore and Oke both said they believe WEI allows women of color to thrive in business. 

Featured Image: Van Munching Hall, Home of Robert H. Smith School of Business and Women’s Empowerment Institute on Dec. 5, 2022. Photo by Isaiah Hayes.