As a Caribbean immigrant woman navigating the world of higher education in America, I have lived the complexities of being “the other.” My journey has been shaped by being ridiculed because of my accent, the challenge of assimilating into academic spaces that did not fully embrace my identity, and the resilience required to carve out a place where I could belong.

These experiences, though difficult, fueled my passion for creating PHADRIAN AVENUE Collective, a space where no other Caribbean woman has to feel unseen or unheard.

As a doctoral candidate and an Adjunct Professor of African American Studies, I have witnessed firsthand the gaps in representation, support, and advocacy for CIW in academia. I have seen brilliant women struggle in silence, their intelligence and cultural richness overshadowed by systemic biases. My motivation for supporting CIW in higher education is deeply personal – I refuse to let these stories remain in the shadows.

PHADRIAN AVENUE Collective is my commitment to ensuring that Caribbean women in higher education do not have to shrink themselves to fit into spaces that were not designed for them. It is about creating those spaces, amplifying our voices, and forging a path for future generations of CIW to walk boldly, unapologetically, and powerfully. Through PHADRIAN AVENUE Collective, I aim to build a legacy of empowerment, where every CIW knows that she belongs, she matters, and she is capable of achieving greatness.