Community-Building Programs

Sister Talk is designed to promote a sense of safety, inclusion and belonging for BIPOC  (Black/Indigenous People of Color) identified undergraduate women at Carolina, providing the space, tools, and resources to successfully navigate their time at UNC-Chapel Hill.  In addition to being a safe landing space for female BIPOC students on campus, Sister Talk provides learning and developmental opportunities for a population that is historically under served. 

Sister Talk promotes and enhances self-efficacy, self-awareness, and self-advocacy, among other protective factors. This group also aims to strengthen resiliency among this cohort of students, as they exist at an intersection of gender and race which impact their experiences at a predominately white institution (PWI).

This group is designed to support the unique challenges for BIPOC undergraduate women and is open to any undergraduate student.

Sister Talk is a University-Designated High Impact Program.

To join Sister Talk email: Dr. DeVetta Holman-Copeland at [email protected]
Phone: (919) 962-WELL (9355)

Graduate and professional students experience a different academic dynamic, essentially because they are more isolated and operate on a more individualistic paradigm.  As older students, oftentimes with families and/or with professional work obligations, there are different sets of concerns and emotional burdens. This dynamic can have unique impacts on BIPOC female graduate and professional students.

This group, like Sister Talk, aims to increase a sense of belonging and resiliency, as they exist at an intersection of gender and race which impact their experiences at Carolina.

This group is designed to support the unique challenges for Black female graduate students and is open to any graduate/professional student.

To join Sister Talk After Dark email: Dr. DeVetta Holman-Copeland at [email protected]
Phone: (919) 962-WELL (9355)

P.E.A.C.E. (Processing Emotions And Communicating Effectively): This affinity group was born out of a need for students’ feelings, voices and stories to be shared while identifying supportive and culturally relevant mental health resources in a safe, non-judgmental setting. The program aims to bridge the gap between BIPOC students and mental health resources by hosting events that teach students how to reconcile past traumas, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and to seek out culturally competent support resources while moving forward.

This group is open to any student seeking support for bridging the gaps related to mental health and identity.

To join P.E.A.C.E. email: Dr. DeVetta Holman-Copeland at [email protected]
Phone: (919) 962-WELL (9355)

R.E.A.L. Talk (Resiliency, Education, And Leadership):  Provides a space for BIPOC male-identified individuals on UNC-CH’s campus to engage and develop their sense of belonging, personal agency, growth mindset, and tools for honing resiliency and grit.  

Professional staff, along with graduate and professional male-identified students of color, help facilitate the process of gaining leadership skills and developing strong mentoring bonds.  The group supports courageous discourse to aid in participants’ growth, exploration, and self-actualization. This group is open to any undergraduate or graduate/professional student.

To join R.E.A.L. Talk email: Dr. DeVetta Holman-Copeland at [email protected]
Phone: (919) 962-WELL (9355)

The Carolina Empowerment Network aims to improve the experiences and academic outcomes for male-identifying undergraduate students at UNC-Chapel Hill through intentional and relevant programming, targeted exposure to campus and community resources, and access to mentorship and networking opportunities. Providing formal academic, cultural, social, and professional development support, the program will increase the sense of belonging for students from underrepresented backgrounds and equip them with the necessary skills to achieve excellence at Carolina and beyond. 

*While the Carolina Empowerment Networks focuses on providing guidance and support to male-identifying students from underrepresented backgrounds, the program is open to all UNC students.

Vision: 

The Carolina Empowerment Network’s vision is to cultivate an inclusive environment on campus where all students feel affirmed, respected, supported, and welcome in the Carolina community. 

Core Pillars: 

• Fellowship
• Mentorship
• Holistic wellness and self-advocacy
• Professional development
• Civic engagement