The Sage Center in partnership with the Black Student Union (BSU) hosted the Women of Color Lunch Forum Series to celebrate Black History Month with students and faculty in February.
BSU Advisor Sydney Smith selected the speakers to represent diverse fields, including commercial airline pilot Mia Hutcherson, dancer and recording artist Taquirah Thomspon and authenticity coach Monica Alexander.
Each speaker shared how their identity as a member of the Black community created unique experiences in their respective industries. As a Black woman co-pilot, Hutcherson represents less than one percent of the commercial airline pilot workforce and is one of a handful at Alaska Airlines. During her presentation, she spoke about her experience breaking into the largely homogenous aviation industry.
“I thought Mia’s story was incredibly powerful,” junior and BSU member Courtney Tetteh-Martney said. “Her message reminded me that I can thrive not in spite of my differences, but because of them. As a young Black woman, it is empowering to learn about the resilient individuals who paved the path toward acceptance and equity.”
During the lunch forums, speakers also engaged their audiences in various activities. As a part of her presentation, Thompson sang an excerpt from her song “Lonely,” a song that communicates feelings of vulnerability, sadness and separation. Drawing from her dance roots, Alexander led an authenticity exercise that incorporated dancing and movement to help students and faculty express and connect with their emotions.
The Sage Center created the speaker series to benefit school community members of all ethnic and racial backgrounds.
“Our speakers this year and Black History Month celebrations in general are important for all community members to be a part of, not just those who identify as Black,” said Sanan Shirinian, director of the Sage Center. “It’s important for continued progress toward justice, awareness, empowerment, education and just simply showing up for one another.”
