A Community Rooted in Radical Care
Building on the success of the University of Washington’s Brotherhood Initiative, the Sisterhood Initiative (SI) amplifies the brilliance and leadership of Women of Color undegraduates by fostering a community rooted in radical care, growth,and connection.
SI supports students throughout their academic, personal, and professional journeys by creating spaces where they are affirmed in their identities, celebrated for who they are, and encouraged to show up authentically in every space.
The SI Experience
During their first two years at UW, SI scholars participate in a weekly seminar that explores leadership, identity, career development, and personal well-being through an intersectional lens. Along the way, scholars receive individualized advising and are connected with academic, wellness, and campus resources that support their success.
Beyond the seminar, SI offers workshops, community gatherings, and shared experiences that strengthen relationships, foster belonging, and create opportunities for personal and professional growth. After their second year, scholars remain part of the SI community through continued advising, workshops, and lifelong connections.
Our Commitment
We believe that thriving extends beyond the classroom. Our commitment is to provide holistic support that empowers scholars to pursue their goals, care for their well-being, cultivate meaningful relationships, and graduate with a strong community beside them.
The Sisterhood Initiative is more than a program—it’s a community that celebrates the brilliance, leadership, and lived experiences of Women of Color undergraduates at the University of Washington.
Meet the Team
Director
Dr. Rashida Love was born and raised in California’s San Fernando Valley. After graduating high school, Dr. Love and her family relocated to Washington State, where she attended South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia. Dr. Love then transferred to The University of Southern Mississippi, where she completed her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Counseling Psychology. Over the course of the last 15 years, Rashida has worked in a variety of staff, administrative, and faculty roles within higher education at several colleges and universities around the country, most notably in senior leadership roles at Multicultural Offices at The Evergreen State College and University of Nevada Las Vegas.
In 2021, Rashida completed her doctoral degree in Higher Education Leadership from Colorado State University. Her doctoral dissertation: We Are Not The Same: The Experiences of Black Women Multicultural Directors at Predominantly White Institutions examined the experiences of Black Women Multicultural Directors at Predominantly White Universities, and reflected her ever-evolving commitment to centering the experiences and voices of women of color at predominantly white institutions. Rashida is passionate about supporting women of color in academic and professional spaces where they often experience intersectional oppression, and believes this journey starts with our students. As the Director of the Sisterhood Initiative, Rashida strives to build a community where women of color are uplifted, acknowledged, and celebrated for their authentic selves. She believes the University of Washington is made stronger and richer by the women of color who attend and work here, and is deeply proud to serve in this role.
Assistant Director of Curriculum and Research
Dr. Raedell Boateng is a teacher at heart. She began her career in the elementary classroom and has since spent more than a decade helping future teachers, leaders, schools, and communities weave justice, healing, and belonging into every part of education—always centering the voices and brilliance of those most often pushed to the margins. Navigating a transnational life between Seattle and Accra with her family, Dr. Rae also brings a global perspective to her work and a deep understanding of what it means to build community across borders. Born and raised in New York State, Dr. Rae earned a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, a Master’s in Elementary Education from Arizona State University, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Multicultural Education and Teacher Education from the University of Washington. Her doctoral research was a self-study that used storytelling as a culturally sustaining methodology. Dr. Rae is the founder of Justice for All, Everyday, a liberated coaching and consulting practice launched in 2018, and the creator of Kwesi Co., an Afrocentric, curiosity-driven unschool/homeschool model that centers cultural and wisdom and curiosity. Outside of work, Dr. Rae loves spending time with her family and chosen community, reading, going to church, intentionally healing, and eating good food. She is delighted to be a part of the Sisterhood Initiative. As much as she brings her skills, energy, and experiences into this space, she also needs and cherishes what this community offers in return.
Assistant Director of STEM and Sophomore Experience
Dr. Dalya Perez is a UW alum with a PhD in Education Leadership and Policy. While at UW her research and dissertation focused on the impacts of colonial mentality on Filipino American undergraduate students, she was also part of the founding research team for the Brotherhood Initiative. She was most recently a Senior Product Manager at Microsoft, leading inclusion and equity in mixed reality technology. Dalya is currently a consultant, partnering with organizations on strategic planning processes, curriculum development, and dynamic project management support. She is a proud Filipina American and Egyptian and resides in West Seattle with her husband and two kids and in her free time is found teaching campy dance fitness classes! She is psyched about supporting Sisterhood Initiative students this year!!!
2026-27 Peer Mentor Leads
Isa Saiz: Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Isa Saiz is a fourth year student studying Environmental Science with a focus in restoration ecology. She is a Student Ambassador for the Office of Multicultural Outreach and Recruitment and also a part of Husky Boxing. She is passionate about working with underserved and specifically Tribal communities on community led environmental restoration projects. In her spare time Isa enjoys baking, reading and trying new restaurants especially bakeries.
Riley Selden : Riley Selden is a fourth-year Medical Anthropology major on the pre-med track at the University of Washington. Originally from North Carolina, she has become deeply involved in her campus community. She serves as Vice President of the National Society of Black Health Professionals, an organization dedicated to supporting and empowering
Black students pursuing careers in healthcare. Riley is also the Vice President and Membership Chair of her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and the President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Passionate about mentorship and community building, she looks forward to advancing both through her involvement in the Sisterhood Initiative. In her free time, Riley enjoys dancing, listening to music, and attending football games.
Student Success Coordinator
Sahra Ibrahim is a first-generation Somali-American, and two-time alum of the University of Washington, where she earned her master’s degree in Educational Policy. With a strong background in academic advising and student support, she is committed to creating inclusive and equitable environments that empower students to succeed and feel a sense of belonging in higher education. Having lived in the Pacific Northwest her entire life, Sahra brings a grounded understanding of the region’s educational landscape and community values. Her passion for education policy stems from a belief that systemic change is necessary to reduce barriers for underrepresented students, and she is especially interested in how policies can be designed and implemented to foster access, equity, and meaningful student success. Beyond her professional work, Sahra enjoys gaming and reading fantasy novels, always eager to exchange recommendations and explore new stories. She values opportunities to connect with others through shared interests, collaborative projects, and community-building efforts, and finds joy in fostering environments where people feel seen, supported, and encouraged to grow. For Sahra, both her professional path and personal passions reflect her belief in the importance of cultivating spaces where individuals can thrive authentically and with confidence.
Program Manager of Student Leadership and Success
Christelle Silué, Program Manager of Student Leadership & Successis, is a dedicated and community-driven leader with a passion for fostering connection, empowerment, and growth. As the founder of Truly You Therapy PLLC and a Licensed Associate Independent Clinical Social Worker, she brings a deep understanding of identity, belonging, and resilience shaped by her experiences growing up within the African Diaspora.
Guided by a trauma-informed lens, Christelle approaches her work with sensitivity to the complex ways individual experiences and systemic forces intersect. Whether in community initiatives, educational spaces, or collaborative projects, she is committed to creating environments where people feel seen, valued, and supported.
She is passionate about amplifying marginalized voices, addressing the impacts of systemic oppression, and contributing to collective healing. Outside of her professional commitments, Christelle finds joy in exploring new ideas, building relationships, and discovering innovative ways to spark meaningful change.
2026-27 SI Peer Mentors
Lizette Vazquez-Perez: Lizette is a 4th year majoring in public health, co-founder of Brothers and Sisters in Research, and works in the de la Iglesia neuroscience lab at the University of Washington. She loves studying with her friends and going to get sweet treats after long lock-in sessions. Her professional goal is to pursue a career in academic medicine alongside working in clinical research. Her passions are diversifying research at UW, women’s rights, and health equality for all. She is a first-generation Mexican-American, from Yakima WA, who loves listening to music and saying hi to everyone she sees. During her breaks you will catch her looking at plane tickets to different cities, drinking too much Red Bull, and playing the NYT games. She is so excited to meet the new cohort!
Melissa Adame Moreno: Melissa is a fourth-year student studying Public Health – Global Health on a pre-med track. As an aspiring surgeon scientist, originally from rural North Carolina, she is deeply committed to diversity, representation, and leadership in medicine. On campus, she serves as co-president of the 2026 Organization of the Year, Chicanos/Latinx for Community Medicine (CCM), and as vice president of the newly established Girls in Neuroscience. She has mentored formally through Mentor Power for Success and has provided guidance to high school and gap-year students. She also works as a research assistant in a UW psychology research group. Outside of academics, she is a realism artist with over a decade of experience, a freshwater fish keeper, and a collector of trinkets. As a mentor, she hopes to support students navigating research, leadership, and finding their place in STEM and medicine.
Brianna Tom: Brianna is a second-year student from Renton, Washington studying Law, Societies, and Justice and minoring in Spanish! In addition to the Sisterhood Initiative, Brianna is a part of a variety of organizations at UW. She is a committee member for the pre-law fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta and volunteers with Rotaract, a Rotary based RSO. Outside of school you can find Brianna drawing buildings around campus, swimming in lakes, going out with friends, and listening to music. She just finished studying abroad for a quarter in Spain and over the summer will be working as an intern at a law firm. Brianna is passionate about helping people and plans to become a lawyer to help uplift the voices of those who cannot speak for themselves.
Sae Garcia: Sae is a second-year student majoring in Marine Biology with a minor in Quantitative Science from Ferndale, WA. After college, she plans on pursuing a career in conservation ecology and sustainability practices. At UW she is involved in the Planned Parenthood Generation Action and the Huskies for Reproductive Rights clubs. Outside of academics, her favorite activities include going to concerts, hammocking, watching movies, thrifting, and exploring the city. She also enjoys creative expression through playing the guitar, collaging, and knitting in her spare time.
Gracelyn Brantley-Gloyne: Gracelyn is from Puyallup, WA, and is a third-year majoring in Accounting, with a minor in Environmental Studies. She is involved in clubs through Foster, like UWIB, and is a part of the executive board for UW Her Campus. During the summer, she is a counselor for the program ACAP (Accounting Career Awareness Program). Outside of school, she carries a passion in photography. When she has free time, she loves to be in touch with her creative side and loves to explore the nature of the PNW. She considers herself a matcha connoisseur, and loves to find new cafe spots across the city.
Abigail Floyd: My name is Abigail Floyd, and I’m a second year intending to major in psychology and minor in global health. My family’s military background has led me all across the US, so I didn’t grow up in any one place, but I currently live in Oregon. I play volleyball on the club team here, and am passionate about learning, helping others, and serving the Sisterhood Initiative. I love to explore Seattle, be active, eat, engage in stimulating conversation, and spend time with the people I love!!
Omi Ogala: Born and raised in West Seattle, Omi Ogala is a Sophomore pursuing a degree in Public Health at the University of Washington. Her main purpose is to serve the communities she comes from, bridging the gap between misrepresented groups and medicine. Using this as motivation, after undergrad Omi intends to pursue a career in medicine and ultimately become an OBGYN. Aside from academics, Omi enjoys all things that relate to fashion, dance, beauty, and creativity. Omi is also apart of the University’s step team Pure of Gold, and spends her free time as a haristylist–helping black girls around campus feel confident in a variety of hairstyles. She loves sharing her personality with new people, and can’t wait for the new cohort!
Nevaeh Lua: Hi! I’m Nevaeh, a soon-to-be second-year student at the University of Washington planning to major in Public Health–Global Health while on the pre-med track. I’m from Kent, Washington, and have lived in Washington my whole life. I’m the oldest sibling in my family and also a first-generation college student.
Valeria Suarez: Valeria is a third-year student from Fresno, California, pursuing a double degree in Dance and Human-Centered Design & Engineering, as well as a minor in Education, Leadership, & Society. Her passions for design and educational equity have encouraged her to explore how she can make both traditional school and dance classrooms more inclusive and community-focused spaces. Valeria is also in UW’s Interdisciplinary Honors Program, where she is a Peer Facilitator for Fall 2026, an intern with Washington MESA, and a photojournalist/videographer for The Daily, UW’s student-run newspaper. Most especially, she loves to perform with the Dance Department and Stage Notes, UW’s musical theater RSO. In her downtime, Valeria loves reading sci-fi/fantasy, taking millions of candid photos, listening to comedy podcasts, and adventuring around Seattle. She is so excited to be a Peer Mentor this year and continue her involvement with the Sisterhood Initiative!
Caitlin Pham: Caitlin Pham is a second-year student from Yakima, WA, studying business administration and Spanish. She is currently a Marketing Assistant for the nonprofit Washington DECA, which supports high school students who have an interest in business and related fields. She also works to support Alzheimer’s data collection and free access to researchers as a Communications & Marketing Student Assistant for the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center. Caitlin loves children and enjoys teaching Spanish classes to her amazing group of elementary-aged students! Having worked with kids for most of her life, she is passionate about childhood literacy and fighting against food insecurity. When not at work or school, Caitlin enjoys chatting with her family, making dumplings with her grandmother, spending time with her cousins, and brainstorming creative future marketing ideas!
2026-27 Program Assistants
Sophia Keogh is a psychology major on the premed track. She’s a third year student at UW from Bellevue, Washington.
Sophia currently works at ADAPT Labs at the University of Washington, which conducts research on resilience and substance use among Black and African American young adults. She is also on the founding board of Mind To Mind, an RSO on campus that facilitates connections between the UW community and homeless shelters in the University District. Sophia enjoys being creative, specifically by drawing and playing music, and she is excited to work alongside Nyla to create a program that boosts positivity, support, and growth. She wants to devote her time this year to increased engagement at SI events and creating a community not only for Cohort 4, but previous cohorts and those to come!
Sarah Allen is a third-year student at the University of Washington, planning to major in Environmental and
Occupational Health Sciences. She hopes to pursue a career in food safety and water treatment, with a particular focus on reducing health hazards in marginalized communities. Originally from Richmond, California, Sarah is involved in UW’s Black Student Union and recently joined the National Society of Black Healthcare Professionals. This summer, she’s working with the Student Conservation Association at a wastewater treatment plant. In her free time, she enjoys listening to all kinds of music, playing guitar, swimming, spending time outdoors, and being with friends and family.
2026-27 Teaching Assistants
Lizette Vazquez-Perez: Lizette is a 3rd year majoring in public health, minoring in French, and works in the de la Iglesia lab at the University of Washington. She loves studying with her friends and going to get sweet treats after long “lock-in” sessions in the library. Her professional goal is to pursue a career in medicine and become an obstetrician-gynecologist specialist. She is a first-generation Mexican/American, from Yakima WA, who loves listening to music and saying hi to everyone she sees. During her breaks you will catch her looking at plane tickets to different cities, drinking too much Red Bull, and playing the NYT games. She is so excited to meet the new cohort!