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Women of Color CNG

Welcome!

Who we are

The Cornell University Women of Color Colleague Network Group (WCCNG) is a university- sponsored employee resource group.  The Cornell University WCCNG creates engaging opportunities for professional and leadership development with a particular focus on empowering women of color in the workforce.

What we do

The mission of the Cornell University Women of Color Colleague Network Group is to raise the awareness of workplace issues faced by women of color; provide networking opportunities and a forum to discuss topics of mutual interest and innovative solutions with senior leaders; and to support the university’s recruitment and retention of women faculty and staff of color.

Our group meets monthly for lunch and socializing. Our meetings usually feature a presentation or facilitated discussion. We also network with external groups and organize events, fundraisers, and volunteer opportunities to support our community.

  • Events & Activities

    Monthly Meetups

    We generally get together for lunch meetings once a month.   Join our mailing list using the red signup button above to learn what's coming up next!

  • Meet Our Board

    Mar Perez portrait outdoors

    Mar Pérez (she/her): Chair

    Mar Pérez serves as Senior Coordinator in Student Support and Advocacy Services at Cornell University. She manages cross-functional coordination, information systems, data and assessment, and logistics for crisis response and case management, and serves as Case Coordinator for the CARE Team.

    Mar has been part of the Cornell community since 1999, holding various roles across the university. Her work is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and a commitment to fostering a sense of belonging. It is an honor to serve as Chair of the Women of Color Colleague Network Group, where she values the group as a space for connection, reflection, and community. It has been a meaningful place for her to build relationships, learn from others, and be part of a community where colleagues can show up as their full selves, uplift one another, and foster connection across colleague network groups.

    With a background in Visual Communications and Fine Arts, Mar brings creativity into her work and life. She enjoys meditation, yoga, and time in nature, and is part of the community at Yoga Farm Ithaca, where she continues to deepen her personal and collective practice. She also values meaningful time with family, friends, and community.

    ""

    Jamie Hom: Membership & Programming Chair

    Hi! My name is Jamie Hom (she/hers) and I work in Alumni Affairs & Development as an Associate Director of Student Programs on the Student and Young Alumni team. I have been at Cornell for more than 6 years now. Besides my work with student leadership and development, you can also find me teaching a spin class for Cornell Rec. I started out with the Women of Color Colleague Network Group as a participant. The Women of Color Colleague Network Group has been a community for me where I have been able to connect with my curiosities and culture. It is wonderful having a space at Cornell to celebrate and connect with other WOC colleagues!

    Monique Caraballo: Member-at-Large

    Bio & photo coming soon! (mc2833@cornell.edu)

    Rehana Huq: Member-at-Large

    Bio & photo coming soon!

    Erin Rodriguez informal portrait

    Erin Rodriguez: Member-at-Large

    My name is Erin Rodriguez, and I serve as the Associate Director of Operations in the SC Johnson College of Business. I have been part of the Cornell community for nearly 20 years, holding roles across alumni affairs and development, advising in the Nolan School, and for the past 15 years, working in admissions. Throughout my career at Cornell, building community and fostering meaningful connections has been central to my work and my purpose.

    It is an honor to serve as a Member-at-Large for the Women of Color Colleague Network Group. Being part of this organization for over a decade has been one of the most impactful and formative experiences of my time at Cornell. This group has meant more to me than I can fully express—it has provided a vital space for support, affirmation, and growth, and has allowed me to make meaningful, long-lasting relationships both professionally and personally.

    Outside of work, I love to spend time with my family which includes my partner and 2 boys who keep my spirits high and my heart full.

    Sherry Wang: Member-at-Large

    Bio & photo coming soon! (sw2292@cornell.edu)

    Nakeschi Watkins: Member-at-Large

    Bio & photo coming soon! 

    Savannah Bao: Remote Employee Engagement Team

    lb664@cornell.edu

    Natalie Cross portrait

    Natalie Cross: Remote Employee Engagement Team

    Natalie has been a dedicated professional at Cornell University for over five years and currently serves as a Program & Enrollment Specialist and School Certifying Official (SCO) at eCornell. With a background in finance and school accounting, she brings extensive administrative expertise to her work. At eCornell, Natalie is a co-leader for both the Employee Resource Group (ERG) and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative.

    A committed community advocate, Natalie serves as a coordinator for the Elves Program and local backpack drives. She joined the Women of Color Colleague Network Group (WCCNG) to bridge the gap between eCornell and the main Ithaca campus. Recognizing the unique challenges of the modern workplace, she saw a vital need to help WCCNG connect with colleagues working fully remote. Natalie is also passionate about mentoring youth and supporting women in building the confidence needed to excel. She is honored to serve on the E-Board, where she continues to advocate for professional growth and meaningful connection for women of color across the entire Cornell community.

    nlc72@cornell.edu

    Karim Yaport formal portrait

    Karim Yaport: Remote Employee Engagement Team

    Hi everyone! My name is Karim Yaport (she/her), and I serve as the Assistant Director of Admissions at Cornell University, where I focus on transfer recruitment, access, and student engagement. In my role, I work closely with prospective students to help expand pathways into Cornell and support a more inclusive admissions process.

    I joined WCCNG as a first-generation Latina looking for a meaningful space and the opportunity to grow my network both professionally and personally. WCCNG has been a meaningful space for me to feel supported, share experiences, and continue growing both personally and professionally. Since I live in Rochester, NY most of the year, I especially value the opportunity to contribute to engagement efforts that help remote colleagues feel connected and included.

    kly5@cornell.edu

    Adriana Maria Ferreira Barboza: Annual and Special Projects Team

    af582@cornell.edu

    Ri'Cha ri Sancho, PhD: Annual and Special Projects Team

    rs879@CORNELL.EDU

     

  • Resources

    Business Leaders of Colors: 

    • https://www.businessleadersofcolors.com/
    • Business Leaders of Colors is a network of business owners, entrepreneurs, consultants, and social justice leaders focused on helping people of color in Tompkins County succeed in business. On their website you can find business resources as well as a compiled list of local Black-owned business.

     

    Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services: 

    • https://www.ithacanhs.org/
    • Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) is dedicated to expanding housing opportunities for low and moderate-income residents of Tompkins County and the surrounding region. It seeks to foster communities that embrace diversity, equity, and sustainability in ways that produce lasting outcomes. They offer homebuyers classes, inspection classes, and resources on buying homes in Tompkins County.

    Diverse Living in Ithaca Guide (pdf): 

    Greater Ithaca Activities Center: 

    Southside Community Center: 

    • https://sspride.org/
    • Since its incorporation in 1934, the Southside Community Center, Inc., continues to affirm, empower, and foster the development of self-pride among the African-American citizens of greater Ithaca. Through forums and activities in education, recreation, political and social awareness, the Southside Community Center is a community resource center. We serve as a vehicle to develop an appreciation for the contributions and presence of those peoples of African descent in the greater Ithaca community and in the larger world community.

    Multicultural Resource Center: 

    Learning Web: 

    Catholic Charities: 

    Hair Salon Recommendations

    Compiled 10/13/21 by Adrienne Clay (abc252) with collaboration from Women of Color CNG members

    ITHACA

    ELMIRA

    • CP Naturals and More

    BINGHAMTON

    SYRACUSE

    ROCHESTER

  • FAQs

    Who can join?

    This group is intended to support Cornell employees who identify as a Woman of Color and/or those who support the mission of the Women of Color Colleague Network Group.

    Are there membership dues?

    Membership is free and supported by Cornell University.

    Do I have to go to meetings, or any other membership requirements?

    We hope you'll join us at our in-person meetings and events, but there are no attendance or membership requirements.

    Can I only join one CNG at a time?

    You're welcome to join multiple CNGs.