Newsletter

Woman of Color Banquet 2026

By Ava Garcia

April 2, 2026

On Wednesday, March 11th at 5:00pm, the Center for Intersectional Feminism (CIF) hosted its Women of Color Banquet at the Annex, bringing together students, faculty, and staff for an evening centered on celebration, reflection, and community. The event created a space to honor the voices, experiences, and contributions of women of color on Hamilton campus, inviting attendees to engage in meaningful conversation while embracing the night’s semi-formal floral theme. The evening began with guests enjoying a catered meal from Marib and Lizzy’s Cupcakery and Candies, sharing food and conversation in a welcoming atmosphere before transitioning into the panel discussion.

The evening featured remarks from Visiting Assistant Professor Fiona Adjei Boateng, Associate Professor Rhea Datta, and Dr. Miriam Merrill, Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Board of Trustees, who each spoke to the importance of leadership, identity, and uplifting women of color in academic and professional spaces. Their reflections highlighted both the challenges and possibilities that come with navigating these spaces, encouraging attendees to support one another and continue building inclusive communities.

The program opened with a panel led by Jillian Nord ‘26, President of CIF, and Jazmine Florencio ‘26, Vice President of CIF and DMC Fellow, who guided a thoughtful conversation with the evening’s speakers. The panel invited each speaker to reflect on their personal and professional journeys, as well as their experiences with leadership, identity, and community. 

Dr. Miriam Merrill, Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Board of Trustees, reflected on how her background in athletics shaped her path, sharing that her early life was centered around sports before her trajectory shifted in college. She recalled, “I thought I was going to college to play basketball… I arrived on campus [University of Cincinnati] and felt at home instantly, so at that moment I decided not to do basketball and decided to do track and field,” highlighting how openness to change and self-discovery can lead to meaningful direction. Professor Rhea Datta emphasized the importance of pausing to recognize moments of growth, encouraging attendees to “savor” those instances of insight and reflection, while also speaking to the broader complexity of human development. She also highlighted the role of education in personal and collective growth, explaining that “I wanted to be in a classroom or a lab space with people that looked like me,” and that “education is a thing that allows us to sit with the discomfort and explore it,”emphasizing how seeing oneself in others can foster belonging, validation, and confidence to grow within academic and professional spaces. Professor Fiona Adjei Boateng discussed leadership and the impact of gender stereotypes, urging attendees to embrace support systems and shared growth, noting, “It’s okay not to have everything done at once, it’s okay to lean on other people,” underscoring the value of community and collaboration.

The Women of Color Banquet created a space for reflection and connection, bringing together students, faculty, and staff in a shared celebration of identity and community. Through thoughtful conversation and personal reflections, the evening emphasized the importance of growth, support, and uplifting women of color within and beyond campus, leaving attendees with a deeper sense of solidarity and inspiration.