Illinois State University’s African American studies program will host “Black Women Rising: From the Classroom to the Boardroom” on Monday, January 24, 2022 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Rosa Parks Room of Watterson Towers.

Angela Allen, manager for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at COUNTRY Financial, and Tiffany Mathis, CEO and executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois, will offer insights into overcoming the unique challenges Black women face in college and the white-collar workplace.  

The event is free and open to the campus community. Register for the event here.  

Angela Allen  

Angela Allen has focused her 20+-year career on advocacy, inclusion, diversity, and social justice in numerous roles in higher education and various business settings. In her current role at COUNTRY, Allen is responsible for operationalizing the enterprise DEI strategic plan to ensure inclusive and equitable practices are embedded into programs and processes to impact strategic outcomes. Prior to COUNTRY, Allen served for 10 years as the coordinator for Diversity Advocacy at Illinois State University, overseeing the University’s diversity initiatives for over 20,000 students. 

Tiffany Mathis  

Under Tiffany Mathis’ leadership, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois has expanded to serve 22 locations that include 21 elementary and middle school sites throughout the Springfield and Jacksonville area and is now recognized as the second-largest Boys & Girls Club organization in the state of Illinois. 

For additional information on the event, contact Denice Masters.