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“We’ve faced a lot of the same issues as Black women at �ʼһ���,” Angarita said. “Zaynah shows me that I’m not alone and reminds me that others have struggled with the same things I have.”

Johnson hadn’t visited �ʼһ���’s campus since graduating. While she initially hesitated to become involved as an alum, she saw the Msaada program as an opportunity to provide the kind of support she wished she had as a student. 

Getting to know Angarita, she’s also learned mentorship works both ways. 

“Right away, I was impressed by Nevaeh’s level of self-awareness, her drive and her outlook on the world,” Johnson said. “There can be a power dynamic involved in mentoring, so it was important for me to let her set her own expectations. We’ve really learned from one another. She asks me questions about my experience during and after �ʼһ���, and she teaches me a lot about celebrating joy and practicing self-love.”

The two began talking every week to trade advice, vent about relationships, celebrate their wins and unpack the issues facing Black students at �ʼһ���. Along with serving on two Black Student Coalition (BSC) committees, Angarita is the treasurer of Black Femmes, a club that provides social spaces and community activities for Black women and femmes on campus. She and Johnson often reflect on the new support systems that have emerged in the past decade at �ʼһ���.

“We talk a lot about our respective experiences with the BSC and the challenges that go along with maintaining a central space for all Black students at �ʼһ���,” Angarita said. “There weren’t as many resources and opportunities when Zaynah was a student, even though Black students still deal with many of the same issues now.”

This year, Angarita volunteered to serve as a mentor herself, working with two first-year students through STRIDE (Students Together Reaching for Individual Development and Education). Her experience as Johnson’s mentee prepared her to pay it forward, whether she’s offering advice or simply being a friend. 

“Zaynah truly cares about supporting students who are going through the same things she did,” Angarita said. “I admire her willingness to get involved and help me navigate �ʼһ��� — she’s taught me a lot about being a kind person and a good mentor to others.”

A few months ago, Johnson visited �ʼһ��� for the first time since 2010. She and Angarita met in person and took a walk around campus, observing the things that had changed and the things that looked exactly the same. 

“Participating in the Msaada program has been a bit of a healing journey for me,” she said. “Nevaeh is so invested and involved in the Black community at �ʼһ���, and she leans into everything she does. Watching her figure out who she is and achieve milestones both personally and professionally, I feel an immense sense of gratitude. She’s an incredible mentee, and I could not have asked for a better first experience as a mentor.”

Learn more about the Msaada Mentorship Program

While the Msaada Mentorship Program is designed for �ʼһ��� Black women students, regardless of ordinal class level, any student is eligible to apply to participate.