We had the good fortune of connecting with Leticia Cole and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leticia, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Black Women Instilling Scholarly Excellence (BWISE) was founded by scholars in 2018, BWISE aims to embolden the academic and professional potential of young women of color across the country through mentorship. We hope to foster a passion and desire in the minds and hearts of young women of color to seek academic excellence in their field of choice while also learning the importance of reinvesting such efforts in our community. We embrace the moto of women mentoring women to promote excellence in education and professional development.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Black Women Instilling Scholarly Excellence, better known as BWISE, was once simply an idea tossed around amongst classmates on a lunch break. Today, BWISE is a full-fledged non-profit dedicated to helping the next generation of young women of color enter into higher education and, ultimately, the professional world. BWISE was established to provide academic and professional mentoring for young women of color at the collegiate and high school levels. While utilizing a tiered mentorship model, the program will create partnerships with the local school districts and universities in order to match mentors with mentees. The organization has blossomed from the five founding members (Dr. Leticia L.Cole APRN, CPNP-PC, CPN, Dr. LaSteshia Ekeocha APRN, WHNP-BC, Dr. Whitney Kirkpatrick APRN, AGNP-C, Dr. Kyanna Silas APRN, WHNP-BC, and Dr. Dennia Thompson APRN, WHNP-BC, CA-SANE) to about twenty members, all from a variety of professions. Each BWISE member completes a mentorship program uniquely designed for BWISE. In addition to mentoring services, BWISE aims to make an impact in the community by hosting an array of education focused events and fundraisers. We raise funds to help place school supplies in the hands of deserving children who do not have the necessary supplies needed to be successful in the classroom. Funds are also raised for the annual scholarship award. Over the years, we have been able to persevere through the pandemic by connecting with local school districts and community resources. It is our hope that young women who might not have a friend or family member who have walked such academic paths, will find that the mentors serve as the missing shoulders to stand on. Through BWISE women and girls of color can learn to grow and develop.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would show my best friend all the places where BWISE has made an impact and plans to make history. We would start by touring the Texas Woman’s University T. Boone Pickens Institute of Health Sciences – Dallas Center, where the BWISE founders first met and conceived the idea of BWISE. We would also tour Texas Woman’s University’s Denton campus to reminisce the day the founders were conferred as Doctor’s of Nursing Practice. In addition, We would visit The Epic in Grand Prairie where BWISE held its first interest meeting and recruited some of its first dedicated members. Lastly, we would visit some of the local schools were BWISE has already made an impact by recognizing committed teachers, awarding scholarships, donated school supplies, or participated in career day.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
BWISE has been an exceptional experience for our members and the community. The Founders and Executive Board have worked countless hours to make BWISE a success. I’d like to thank the co-founders, members, donors, and vendors for all their hard work and commitment to the organization.

Website: https://www.bwisementoring.org/

Instagram: https://www.bwisementoring.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BWISE_Mentoring

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BWISEMentoring/about

Image Credits
All photos were taken by BWISE members and permission granted for use of publication.

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.