2023 December Intelligence

INTELLIGENCE THE

DECEMBER 2023 ISSUE

BRIDGING EDUCATIONAL GAPS, FOSTERING STEM CAREERS, AND NURTURING COMMUNITIES $1 MILLION AWARDED IN SUSTAINABILITY GRANTS

REPRESENTATION MATTERS:

ED FIELDS SHARES HIS INROADS JOURNEY

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From the Desk of the CEO Representation Matters: My INROADS Journey

by Ed Fields Visiones Benefit Reception Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Bridging Educational Gaps, Fostering STEM Careers and Nurturing Communities INROADS in the News

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$1 Million in Matching Grants Awarded to Clark Atlanta University and Stillman College Boldly Moving Forward, Juntos

Alumni Spotlight

From Intern to CMO: Yolanda Smith’s INROADS Journey Local Alumni Chapter

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&

president

ceo

Forest T. Harper Jr. Hello Friends and Family of INROADS, As we approach the culmination of the holiday season, I find myself engaged in profound reflection, contemplating the events and achievements of the preceding year. This year has unequivocally demonstrated that our collective efforts, both as an organization and as a nation, remain a work in progress. In light of the recent Supreme Court decision on affirmative action, INROADS remains steadfast in our mission to diligently address and rectify the racial wealth disparity that plagues our great nation.

We continue to magnify our impact by expanding programs like INROADS College Links. We added four new cities this year and now deliver the program in 17 markets across the country. We empowered more than 500 high school students during our College Links National Career Academy, hosted in Atlanta. We prepared more than 500 college students with career readiness skills during our annual INROADS National Conference for interns. Through these efforts, we are creating a powerful force of diverse leaders and change-makers.

It is imperative that we persist in empowering the next generation and providing unwavering support to those who have been historically marginalized. By harnessing our collective potential, we have the power to forge new pathways and shape a future brimming with possibilities. Wishing you a joyous holiday season!

Sincerely, Forest T. Harper, Jr. President and CEO

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REPRESENTATION MATTERS:

MY INROADS JOURNEY

By Ed Fields, Senior Advisor & Chief Strategist, City of Birmingham

I grew up in my hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. By the time I was coming of age in the late 80s, I was deeply involved in a Wisconsin Electric-sponsored Boy Scout Troop. We met at the North Division location on Saturday mornings. The company did a great job of wrapping its arms around us. In fact, it was there that I met Barbara Henry, a Human Resources associate with the company, who took an immediate liking to me and started introducing me to new opportunities such as INROADS. I eventually graduated from high school with a 2.7 GPA — far from being on the special lists I didn’t even know existed among whitecollar professionals and society folks. Technically, I was not eligible for INROADS with a 3.0 minimum requirement, but they did allow conditional applicants like me.

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I signed up for the INROADS pre-college program at Barbara’s urging.

I didn’t have anything else going on for the upcoming summer. So, why not, right?

To my surprise, I was accepted!

My first training was in a sprawling corporate conference room at a major bank in a tall downtown building. It felt like such a big deal!

It was 1994, and I was 15 years old getting professional development that many 51-year-olds never received in their whole careers. Talk about a paradigm shift.

Those weekly Saturday morning workshops felt long, but in hindsight, I absolutely loved them. We all did — just ask any INROADER. Those days were bonding and illuminating.

Ed Fields as a young graduate

COLLEGE DAYS By the time I finally made it to college, I was well-prepared to represent INROADS as an intern. After all, the value proposition of INROADS was us — the talent. In order to provide undeniable and outsized value to their corporate partners, INROADS interns had to be better prepared than any other interns.

We had to be impressive. We, as interns, took a mission-driven mindset into our internships. We represented more than just ourselves.

I was selected to be a marketing intern at Midwest Express Airlines. In its heyday, Midwest Express was an industry innovator, providing travel for all passengers at prices slightly above general seating. We served lobster and steak, used metal silverware, and offered wide, leather seats for about $30 more than Southwest Airlines. It was business class for all.

In 1997, I interned in the customer service department, booking flights for people who called the customer service line.

(Remember, internet access was still fledgling.)

Throughout my internship, I had a guardian angel in human resources named Tricell Brown. Tricell, who was black, understood the mission: keep things smooth for Midwest Express and make sure this young man does not fail.

Blanket Ed Fields received as an INROADS scholar

BEYOND THE INTERNSHIP My INROADS experience was overwhelmingly positive. I was a typical student leader in college, involved with many organizations and working during the school year. At times, I was doing too much. My INROADS counselor, Thomas Kelly, played a role in keeping me on the road to success. When my grades slipped, and my performance was uneven, it was Mr. Kelly who called me into his office or on the phone to get it together. When I moved to Birmingham, I plugged into the INROADS alumni network to establish my first friendships.

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THE REAL WORLD My professional career began when I joined the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce on August 15, 2000. I felt more than prepared to succeed thanks to my excellent education from the College of Business Administration at Alabama State University and my professional development through INROADS. I moved to Birmingham from Montgomery and immediately plugged into the INROADS alumni network.

Eventually, I served as the president of the INROADS Birmingham Alumni Association. I earned the honor of Distinguished INROADS Alum of the Year.

I attended the national INROADS alumni association meeting in Miami and learned even more about the amazing network of alumni doing great work around the country.

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Most recently, I received the Pay it Forward award from INROADS on Oct. 24, 2023 for “exceptional dedication to social justice and racial equity” in Birmingham, Alabama.

It was a humbling gesture from INROADS, which has poured so much into my professional and civic life.

CONCLUSION INROADS was and still remains a sustainable competitive advantage for me, for communities of color, and for the corporations that employ these youth. The organization continues and it evolves. I’m indebted to INROADS founder, Frank C. Carr, INROADS Wisconsin, Midwest Express Airlines, INROADS Birmingham, and so many other people, especially Barbara Henry, who set off the entire chain of events. Barbara Henry’s advocacy and willingness to share changed my life. She connected me to INROADS, which opened doors to countless opportunities.

Sourced from Medium.com/HonestlyEd

AIDEN BENSON

INROADS College Links Scholar

SARAH MARTIN

INROADS Intern at JP Morgan Chase

ETHAN BALLESTEROS

INROADS College Links Scholar

Happy Holidays GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITIES

Make your tax-deductible gift at INROADS.org/donate

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BENEFIT RECEPTION

CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH HOSTED SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

INROADS celebrated its annual Visiones Benefit Reception on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta. Presented by Dollar General, the event brought together distinguished Hispanic leaders, community influencers, and INROADS alumni in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. CNN Correspondent Nick Valencia hosted as Master of Ceremonies.

The Visiones fundraiser supports the aspirations of Hispanic students through life-changing academic and career readiness opportunities. During the celebration, INROADS announced the recipients of the inaugural Myrna Garcia Visiones Scholarship. The scholarship serves as homage to the remarkable legacy of Myrna Garcia, a beloved community leader who served as Assistant Vice President Strategic Account Management — Business Development & Head of National Hispanic Strategies at INROADS. Recognized as a visionary and an influential force within the Hispanic community, Garcia’s impact will continue to have a ripple effect for generations to come.

To date, INROADS has awarded more than

$170,000 in scholarships to 75 Hispanic scholars to help them achieve their goals.

To discover more about this year’s scholarship recipients and to view additional event photos, please visit INROADS.org/Visiones.

Thank You To Our Sponsors

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MYRNA GARCIA

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 20

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MARTIN ALBARRAN College Senior Tarleton State University Intern at City National Bank

ETHAN BALLESTEROS High School Sophomore Anne Frank Inspire Academy College Links Scholar

LAURA CARBO College Senior Penn State University Intern at L3 Harris Corporation

GABRIEL DOLAN College Sophomore Florida Atlantic University Intern at Gastro Health

CHARISSA ESTREMERA High School Senior Cornerstone Christian Schools College Links Scholar

TAYLOR GONZALEZ High School Senior Cornerstone Christian Schools College Links Scholar

ARMANDO HERNANDEZ College Senior University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Intern at Avery Dennison

IVAN HERNANDEZ College Junior Santa Clara University Intern at Alvarez & Marsal

KAYTIE JIMENEZ College Senior Pace University Intern at Center for Disease Control

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FRANK C. CARR SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

SCHOLARSHIP

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SARAH MARTIN College Junior University of Southern California Intern at JP Morgan Chase

PETER NAVARRETE College Senior State University of New York at New Paltz Intern at Fannie Mae

RONAL PERALTA College Senior Providence College Intern at Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

AXEL PINEDA College Senior University of Houston-Downtown Intern at Cadaret Grant

JOSHUA ROMAN High School Junior Peachtree Ridge High School College Links Scholar

KAYLA SANCHEZ High School Senior Chattahoochee High School College Links Scholar

YANELLI SANDOVAL SILVA College Sophomore Rutgers University - New Brunswick Intern at Zoetis

LAURA VEGA PERDOMO College Junior Washington University in St. Louis Intern at Marathon Petroleum Corporation

BROOKLYN WILLIAMS High School Senior The Potomac School College Links Scholar

ISABELLA CARRASCO College Links Scholar

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OLLEGE LINK

Bridging Educational Gaps, Fostering STEM Careers, and Nurturing Communities The Surge in STEM Career Demand In the age of constant innovation and rapid technological advancements, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers have emerged as significant drivers of progress. Although some regions have booming STEM industries, they often need more diversity. This lack of diversity is typically attributed to unequal STEM education and career pathways access. Students from underrepresented groups, despite their potential, often encounter significant obstacles such as financial constraints, limited access to educational resources, and a lack of mentorship when attempting to enter STEM fields.

INROADS College Links Program is providing tools and mentorship needed for diverse talent, making it easier for them to navigate this path and achieve success. The organization aims to tackle these challenges by providing

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underrepresented students throughout the nation with the support and training they need to pursue these careers.

INROADS College Links Program: Providing Unlimited Opportunity The INROADS College Links Program has made a commitment to expand to 25 cities by 2025 and is well on its way to achieving this goal. In 2023, INROADS launched in four new cities (Birmingham, Detroit, Salt Lake City, and Charlotte). These markets offer valuable resources to students, including mentorship and guidance from professionals in corporate careers, and help students secure internships and gain practical experience that they can use in college and beyond, making them more competitive in these fields.

The path to 25 cities by 2025 Seattle

Oakland

Minneapolis

Salt Lake City

Chicago

Nashville Memphis Dallas

CURRENT CITIES EMERGING CITIES

Newark, NJ

Cincinnati

St. Louis

Denver

Detroit

Birmingham

Washington, DC

Charleston, WV Charlotte Atlanta

Houston San Antonio

Orlando

Community Impact The INROADS College Links Program significantly impacts the community beyond individual students. It fosters a more diverse and inclusive workforce, ultimately driving economic mobility in each area and closing the racial wealth gap.

When equipped with STEM skills, students can help address local challenges such as healthcare disparities or urban development issues in cities like St. Louis and Chicago.

The economic benefits of a thriving STEM workforce are necessary to attract businesses, drive entrepreneurship, and create high-paying jobs.

INROADS contributes to these economic benefits by providing a diverse pool of talented individuals for the corporate world. The need for INROADS extends beyond the classroom and resonates throughout every community striving for a brighter, more diverse, and innovative future.

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INROADS APPOINTS CRYSTAL PECK OF L3HARRIS TO THE NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Peck is an INROADS alumna who currently serves as the Vice President of Human Resources for Aerojet Rocketdyne, an L3Harris Technologies company. In this role, she is responsible for developing and implementing human resources strategies in line with business objectives and partnering with segment leadership to ensure a smooth transition of the Aerojet Rocketdyne workforce into L3Harris.

“I credit INROADS for the opportunities they have provided me. From my college years to being an alumna today, they have played a pivotal role in my professional life,” says Peck. “Now I have the privilege to work with INROADS.

INROADS APPOINTS JUSTICE REID OF SALESFORCE TO THE NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS Justice Reid brings expertise and leadership to INROADS, having served as the Senior Vice President for Salesforce’s Tech Enterprise, Growth Segment. In this pivotal role, Reid is responsible for shaping and executing sales strategies, driving customer acquisition, and spearheading the broader Salesforce portfolio’s adoption within the Communications, Media & Technology Operating Unit.

“I am deeply honored to be appointed to INROADS National Board of Directors. The organization’s commitment to empowering underserved youth aligns with my values, and I’m eager to contribute to its mission,” said Justice Reid.

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HE NEWS $1 MILLION IN MATCHING GRANTS AWARDED TO CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY AND STILLMAN COLLEGE THROUGH HBCU SCI PROGRAM The HBCU Sustainable Communities Initiative (HBCU SCI) announces the award recipients of the Southern Company Endowed Professorship in Sustainability, with $500,000 in matching grants going to both Clark Atlanta University and Stillman College. Funded by the Southern Company Foundation, the HBCU Sustainable Communities Initiative is delivered through an innovative collaboration among INROADS, Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), and United Negro College Fund (UNCF). HBCU SCI seeks to equip HBCU talent with support, resources, and knowledge to ensure that underserved communities.

BANK OF AMERICA PARTNERS WITH INROADS TO PREPARE CHARLOTTE STUDENTS EARLY FOR SUCCESS IN THE FINANCE INDUSTRY INROADS College Links, a college and career readiness program, offers mentorship, professional development, and educational resources, fostering a path to academic achievement and future career success. Charlotte, NC, has a thriving economic landscape with leadership and job opportunities in government, finance, and healthcare. The program will give Charlotte’s underrepresented high school students a competitive advantage to secure a career in these fields.

“Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics all work together to create a robust financial services industry.

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$1 Million in Matching Grants Awarded to Clark Atlanta University and Stillman College On October 11, the HBCU Sustainable Communities Initiative (HBCU SCI) hosted its annual IGNITE kick-off event at Clark Atlanta University. Supported by the Southern Company Foundation, the HBCU Sustainable Initiative is delivered through an innovative collaboration among INROADS, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), and UNCF (United Negro College Fund). The primary aim of HBCU SCI is to equip HBCU talent with support, resources, and knowledge to ensure that underrepresented communities are socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable.

During the event, HBCU SCI recognized the recipients of The Sustainability Professorship Grant awarded to Clark Atlanta University and Stillman College.

This grant is designed to expand the capacity of these HBCUs in developing and strengthening program offerings in sustainability studies and related fields.

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With the grant provided, Clark Atlanta University will dedicate a tenure-track assistant professor committed to teaching, mentorship, research, publications and civic engagement in the areas of environmental politics and policy, urban planning, and sustainable communities and cities. Stillman College will establish the Center for Sustainability to house a new academic program and sustainable development initiative. The new sustainability curriculum will integrate student experiential learning and build knowledge and skills in environmental science, economic development and historic preservation.

The HBCU SCI annual IGNITE event also welcomed its new 2023-2024 cohort of students, informed interested students about the program, and engaged corporate partners interested in building a pipeline of diverse talent in sustainability-related work. Participants at the event learned more about the benefits that HBCU SCI offered, including: PAID INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

CAREER COACHING

SCHOLARSHIPS

STUDENT SUCCESS WEBINARS

THE SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE SERIES

PEER NETWORKING

MENTORING

AND MORE.

Check presentation at Stillman College on Nov. 1

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Benefit Gala

I L L U M I N AT I N G PAT H WAYS OF OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED BY: You’re invited to our annual Benefit Gala that recognizes our visionaries and leaders who mirror the legacy of INROADS founder Frank C. Carr.

Your attendance supports life-changing leadership development and career readiness programs for underrepresented students.

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

Angela M. Hill

Emmy-Award Winning Senior Producer The Washington Post

T H U R S D AY, M AY 2 , 2 0 2 4 6:30 PM 5 0

U N I O N S T A T I O N M A S S A C H U S E T T S A V E N E , W A S H I N G T O N , D C 2 0 0 0 2

A BL ACK TIE E VE NT

R S V P I N R O A D S . O R G / B E N E F I T G A L A

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A W A R D

R E C I P I E N T S

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY & EQUITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR Joan Higginbotham Former NASA Astronaut President & Founder Joan Higginbotham Ad Astra, LLC

FRANK C CARR CORPORATE PARTNER OF THE YEAR Dollar General

RISING STAR

ALUMNI OF THE YEAR AWARD

Evan Malbrough Organizing Manager Our Turn

Saaima Khaliq Managing Director & Private Equity CFO New Mountain Capital

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BOLDLY MOVING FORWARD, JUNTOS

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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, INROADS celebrated our Hispanic interns, alumni, and team members who are taking bold steps toward building a more vibrant future.

Learn how their heritage, culture, and values are inspiring them to create an impact on their families, careers, and communities.

“I love being able to represent my culture well and show that people from my background deserve and are capable of being in the workplace...Being a scholarship recipient honors my family’s culture because it ensures that I’m able to continue my education and further my legacy.”

“My grandparents came from Mexico with a dream to give their children a better future. I was the first person in my family to graduate from college, and I was always inspired by my grandparents’ work ethic and leadership to make the most of the sacrifices they made...Paying it forward to the next generation of first-time graduates is something very important to me.”

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“Through my work in iPROS and FSI at INROADS, I am able to be an advocate and a bridge to opportunities for students and graduates who otherwise may not have been in a position to find opportunities such as jobs, internships, fellowships, and trainings.”

“I feel proud of my culture because we are all here because our parents worked hard and overcame so many obstacles...I went into Public Health because many people don’t know about all the available resources, and language is a big reason. I want Latinos to know they have a voice, and they have someone fighting for them.”

“I have a rich Chicano history with roots and ancestry in the Southwest for many generations. I am proud of my culture and heritage and what I’ve been able to accomplish because I know that I have privileges that many others of my same background do not have. I am grateful for the opportunities that were afforded to me, but these opportunities came as a result of hard work and guidance.”

‘ VUELA SIN LlMITES “The theme of overcoming tough situations is what makes me proud of my Dominican heritage. Our history of independence from Spain and then Haiti, the previous two generations of my family making a huge transition from the rural Bani province to the urban jungle of NYC and Boston, these triumphs are what make me proud.”

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“My heritage and culture are full of strong examples of hard-working individuals who set a great example to follow. I am proud of the culture teaching me to value dedication, family ties, and celebrations! There is so much to be grateful for and celebrate!”

GO BOLDLY. “The generations before me worked tirelessly to get to America so that my generation could be afforded endless opportunities. I feel it is my duty to make them proud and achieve the success they dreamt of, as well as leave a legacy.”

“I had the opportunity at an early age to move to Ecuador and see where my parents and grandparents came from...

One of the superpowers I learned about our heritage is that we are resilient, optimistic, and are open to reinventing ourselves when moving across worlds. In this era of constant change and disruption, we are uniquely positioned to tap into these superpowers to build a more human-centric future.”

“I love being able to relate with and build the confidence of our Hispanic students. As it relates to college and career, I remember not knowing what to do and not having anyone in my family to turn to for help or direction. Being able to help a young student in a similar situation find their voice and the confidence to continue on their path is so rewarding.”

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“Participating in the INROADS internship program and earning the Visiones scholarship were significant achievements that played an important role in honoring my family’s culture and heritage.”

“The son of immigrant parents, I had very little resources in the form of professional networks or mentorship when trying to begin my career in Corporate America. INROADS taught me how to interview and dress for a professional career, how to improve my resume and communication skills, and, most importantly, to put in as much as I hoped to get out of the program.”

“As a Latina and a first-generation high school and college graduate, my cross-cultural identity and bilingualism allow me to smoothly code switch when I communicate in English with corporate peers and interact with Publix store associates in Spanish.”

ADELANTE!

!

“My heritage and culture serve as a profound source of inspiration, instilling in me a strong sense of identity and purpose, reminding me of the values, traditions, and resilience that have been passed down through generations...In my role at INROADS, my work is making a significant difference in the Latinx community by fostering inclusivity and diversity within the corporate world.”

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“I love that my work is fueled by professional experience as well as personal insights as a Latina...Marketing to Hispanics is more than a “necessity...This is about recognizing that if you fail to plan to win this dynamic, complex audience, you are planning to fail.”

LOGRA TUS SUEÑOS “When achieving success, I’m not only representing myself and my family but all the people who share the same culture as well. Our cultural heritage is our identity, and being proud is a way to cherish those traditions.”

“My Puerto Rican and Mexican heritage gives me a varied perspective on immigration rights and the lingering effects of colonization. I want to help create a more connected world, where we feel a part of one, united human race and feel motivated to help any other person.”

“My heritage and culture are a reflection of the progress my ancestors made throughout history, and it makes me conscious of my own contributions. This inspires me to keep moving forward. I am proud to know that my contributions are making a difference in this world.”

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“My parents are both from Mexico, and I was born in Chicago on the Southwest side. I grew up in the Little Village area.

Growing up I had never been exposed to finances and investments...INROADS opened my mind to a whole new world in corporate America and the investment space. One key thing I took away was: ‘Don’t limit yourself – there are endless opportunities out there.’”

“Participating in the INROADS internship program and earning the INROADS Visiones scholarship has been a great honor for me. I hope to continue conveying my family’s emphasis on hard work as well as honor the sacrifices made by my family to get this far, showing that they led to something meaningful.”

“I come from a long line of strong women. The matriarchy has deep roots in how I perceive the world and what my role in it should be. I’m proud to follow in the footsteps of the strong women before me who cared deeply about others and believed in sharing your blessings.”

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“I’m proud to be an Afro-Latina, Caribbean woman.

Being my authentic self is my superpower, and I bring my true self into every space I enter...Representation truly matters. I want other men and women of Hispanic heritage to be inspired by me and take action...I want the world to accept us, embrace our culture, and our diversity of thought.”

“I’m proud of the pan dulce, the elote en vaso, the tacos al pastor, the Spanglish, the mariachi, and the florkor. But most of all, I’m proud of my people - my raza. As a Program Manager at INROADS, I strive to show my students how the creative power of cultural heritage can give them strength and hope to endure all the challenges and obstacles they will face throughout college and their career journey.”

“INROADS enabled me to see beyond what I initially thought I could achieve. They have opened doors to so many opportunities that I didn’t think were possible for someone with my background. They allowed me to dream bigger.”

READ THEIR STORIES AT

INROADS.ORG/Hispanic-Heritage-Month

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ALUMNI INROADS exposed me to Corporate America early in my collegiate career.

I interviewed with multiple Fortune 500 companies and was fortunate to receive numerous offers and chose the company I wanted to work for.

I also made life - long friendships with people I met through INROADS. I love that INROADS provides structure to young people to help guide their collegiate and professional paths.

Do what you love and it will hardly ever feel like work. I currently serve as the co-chair of my business segment’s diversity and inclusion board and also serve on the bank’s national global commercial bank’s diversity and inclusion board.

Aliya Willis

Georgia State University, 2004 Senior relationship manager, senior vice president at bank of america

INROADS provided me with the opportunity to secure an internship in the otherwise challenging-to-enter Defense industry. This experience allowed me to refine my resume for future positions at companies and NGOs that are pioneers in their fields. I interned in a role that I’ve been able to return to in my current work at Johns Hopkins in the global health and development sector.

I am a Contracts Analyst for Jhpiego, an affiliate of Johns Hopkins University. I work at the crossroads of global health and development on the RISE project, which spans across Francophone regions, South America, and Asia. In this role, I collaborate with local nonprofits and USAID on capacity-building and demand generation awards in-country.

Zar-Tashiya Khan

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Bryant University, 2016 contracts analyst for jhpiego

SPOTLIGHT INROADS gave me the opportunity to secure an internship, polish my resume, and improve my interviewing skills. This was my first internship, and I was able to gain valuable experiences, leading to the ability to secure a role and know how to interact in the corporate world. Additionally, it showed me what I liked in a position and what I didn’t.

This was important because it led to me doing more research and finding my role. I think that it is important for everyone to look into internships and gain experience to learn transferable skills and find how their career and passion can connect. Because of INROADS, I look at every role with a different lens. I appreciate where I am but also always have a plan for the future.

Theodore Dieujuste

Rutgers University Newark, 2023 Legal navigator at newark community solution

INROADS helped guide, prepare, and educate me about the glass ceiling for minorities. INROADS gave me courage, made me brave, and allowed me to see the goal of being a minority in leadership. The camaraderie among all the INROADERS, the leaders such as Ana Cruz and Ivelisse Maldonado, and their nurturing mentality to nurture and empower a young mind. Dress the part. Act accordingly and appropriately, as professionalism is key. Show up with your manners, integrity, and give your best effort with the intention to outshine everyone. Be willing to do almost anything and more than others.

I recently joined Elevance Health to support their care delivery organization, CareMore, after 8.5 years at United Healthgroup/Optum.

Anil Punit

Florida State University, 2008 director of healthcare economics at elevance health

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AS SEEN IN

, NOW

December 2, 2022 | Written by Danielle Hess

From Intern to CMO:

Yolanda Smith’s INROADS Journey As a newly appointed executive who started out as an intern at INROADS, Yolanda Smith said her new role as Chief Marketing Officer brings her ‘a strong sense of pride and accomplishment.’

Smith began her journey at INROADS as an intern in her senior year of high school and was most recently working as an executive marketing consultant for the organization before her move to CMO. Read through the Q&A to learn more about Smith’s experience with INROADS, the goals she aims to accomplish in her first year as CMO, and more.

DiversityInc: You started working at INROADS as an executive marketing consultant in December 2021 and were recently promoted to Chief Marketing Officer — what does this promotion mean to you?

Yolanda Smith: ‘This appointment brings me a strong sense of pride and accomplishment. It’s an outward-facing recognition of the contribution and value that I’ve brought to INROADS so far, and a personal validation that I can still grow in my career. Additionally, I would say this appointment means I have the awesome responsibility of continuing and shaping the legacy of INROADS and bringing the INROADS opportunity to a new generation of students and employers.

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DI: You are also an INROADS alumna and bring 20 years of experience to your new role — can you talk about your previous experience with INROADS and how it helped prepare you for your career?

YS: ‘INROADS was truly my first introduction to business. My parents are educators, and for the most part, their friends and inner circle were mostly educators. I had very little knowledge of business and no role models in this area.

I started working with INROADS when I was a high school senior and had my first summer internship before stepping foot on a college campus as a student. INROADS and my sponsoring company’s supervisors were role models and really great teachers. They took the responsibility very seriously and poured everything into me to build not only my skill set but also my confidence.

The INROADS opportunity allowed me to see for the first time and provided access to very successful people in business who looked like me. I ended up working for my sponsoring company for all four summers and even over holiday breaks. They really taught me to practice my craft; you are not done just because you have your degree, and that mindset has really guided my trajectory.

I continued my formal education past the undergraduate level to earn my MBA, I switched from what I considered to be an exact science career into marketing, which is anything but an exact science, and I’ve had all kinds of experiences since then. I’ve worked in traditional brand management, businessto-consumer, business-to-business, retail marketing, and I jokingly refer to my 15 years as an entrepreneur as my second MBA. As an entrepreneur, you have to assume every role in the organization. All of these experiences collectively have positioned me to lead the marketing efforts and be a valuable part of the executive leadership team at INROADS.

journey. In today’s age of fast turnaround where you can have groceries delivered to your home in an hour and shop online for just about anything, and it’s at your doorstep faster than you could even go get it yourself, please understand that career building is not instantaneous. For most of us, this is a long game. You must be willing to learn, study, and perfect your craft.

View article online at: diversityinc.com/from-intern-to-cmo-yolandasmiths-inroads-journey/

DI: In your first year as Chief Marketing Officer, what are your goals for the organization?

YS: In my first year, I want to continue to build on the work that I started as an executive marketing consultant. I’d like to increase brand awareness. My goal, whether lofty or not, is to make INROADS a household name. I will continue to focus on externalfacing assets like our web presence and social media. But, probably most importantly, INROADS has ambitious goals of wanting to impact 10,000 students a year and to expand our high school program, INROADS College Links, to 25 cities by the year 2025. So, with that said, I will also play a broader strategic role in the organization in shaping how we reach these goals.

DI: If you had one piece of advice you would give to interns, what would it be?

YS: The advice I would give specifically to current or future INROADS interns is that it is a true privilege to be a part of this program.

They may not see it today or right now, but I promise they will in the future. The training, mentorship, and leadership development that you receive here is not taught in school, and likely not at home either. Embrace the process and understand that this is a

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VOLUNTEER WITH INROADS Share your professional expertise and help prepare the next generation of leaders.

Sign up to volunteer at

INROADS.org/Alumni

3636

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INROADS ALUMNI ARE DOING GREAT THINGS! We want to highlight you on our website, social media, and future issues of The Intelligence magazine.

TELL US YOUR STORY!

Complete the alumni stories form at

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Join A Local Alumni Chapter Connect with your local chapter president. Can’t find your city listed below? Find out how to launch a chapter near you. Contact: alumnirelations@INROADS.org / 888-520-8691

ATLANTa

new jersey

boston

new york

atlantaalumni@INROADS.org

bostonalumni@INROADS.org

newjerseyalumni@INROADS.org

nycalumni@INROADS.org

charlotte

ORLANDO

chicago

rAleigh, durham, chapel hill

charlottealumni@INROADS.org

chicagoalumni@INROADS.org

orlandoalumni@INROADS.org

nctrianglealumni@INROADS.org

dallas

dallasalumni@INROADS.org

tampa

tampaalumni@INROADS.org

dc, maryland, virginia

midatlanticalumni@INROADS.org

wisconsin

wisconsinalumni@INROADS.org

houston

houstonalumni@INROADS.org

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HIRE YOUR

2024 SUMMER INTERNS NOW! Send an email to hireanINROADSintern@INROADS.org to submit your job descriptions THE

INTELLIGENCE 39

INROADS.org

INROADS is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations made to INROADS are tax deductible under IRC Section 170 to the extent permitted by law. Note to residents of California, Washington DC, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New York: INROADS, Inc.’s charitable registration is not yet complete in your state or district. INROADS cannot accept donations from residents of your state or district at this time. Contributions made in these states may not be state tax deductible. Please consult your tax advisor regarding specific questions about your deductions.

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