When taking her position in SGA, Stephanie Oblena had a goal in mind: tell the stories of marginalized communities.
Oblena, who currently serves as Loyola’s Student Government Association’s Director of Equity and Inclusion, sprung this goal into action on Feb. 27 with the Black Professional Panel. This event not only offered the chance for people within communities to share their stories on how they flourish into a professional setting, but also offered mentorship and guidance for Black students on campus.
The event hosted several professionals from both Loyola and the New Orleans community, including Loyola alumni Benjamin Fields and Aniya Robinson.
Fields, who graduated from Loyola in 2018 and now serves as the Young Alumni on Loyola’s Board of Trustees, was happy to have the opportunity to show students how he and others were able to push forward past their education and make it in the professional world.
“They have somebody that they can get an example of what they’re leaning towards and use that to better themselves,” Fields said.
Seeing these examples was exactly what marketing junior Alexander Wilson said he gained after the panel.
“I got to see things in a different perspective from people who, you know, have made it and came from where I’ve been,” Wilson said.
Fields said he hopes he helped students gain insight into their future. He wants to continue being a resource for students.
Each member of the panel said they hoped to become mentors to those students who need it.
After a town hall last year, Oblena realized there was a lack of mentorship on campus, specifically for Loyola’s Black students. With this, she saw a need for events like this.
“We, being Loyola, are so, so diverse and absolutely need so much more support as far as the equity and inclusion part,” Oblena said.
Oblena said she and others in SGA are continuing to make efforts to help diversity, equity, and inclusion at Loyola, including being on the search for the Director of Multicultural Student Affairs position and hosting future events like the upcoming Drag Show in April.
This drive to give support for students and have events such as this one is one thing Wilson said he is thankful for from Loyola and SGA.
