Their transformation project for the 2018-2019 Academic Year: Engaging Mental Health in People of Color (EMPOC), was a huge success, and now exists as a student organization on campus. This cohort worked very closely with Dr. Belisa Gonzalez, Assistant Professor and Director of the Center for the Study of Culture, Race, and Ethnicity. Dr. Gonzalez served as the faculty mentor for the 2017-2019 cohort and has continued as a key stakeholder on the BOLD Advisory Board.
These 9 women were selected from an applicant pool of over 100 candidates. The cohort began their BOLD experience when they traveled to NYC for a reception at the Hearst Foundation, Rutgers University–Newark, and upstate NY from October 6 – 8, 2017, for the first BOLD summit and retreat, where they met with the 80 BOLD Scholars across the country and over 50 highly successful professional women participating in panels, presentations, and round tables.