Building
Ourselves through
Sisterhood &
Service
B.O.S.S.
The Building Ourselves Through Sisterhood and Service is a student run peer mentorship organization dedicated to aiding in the transition to college for self-identified women of color at Cornell, fostering healthy and genuine relationships between upperclassmen and underclassmen women of color, promoting positive social interactions within the community of color and the wider community of women on Cornell’s campus, encouraging high academic and personal standards, providing access to helpful campus resources, and inspiring community involvement and commitment to service.
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**Registered student organization of Cornell University
MISSION
MISSION
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Providing support for first year Cornellians during the transition to college.
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Preparing undergraduate women of all years to prepare each other for future mentorship and leadership roles at Cornell University and beyond.
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Inspiring a caring and supportive environment among women of color on the Cornell campus
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Facilitating and promoting overall self-care and self-compassion for members through on- campus resource education, and marquis events such as the Annual Mental Health Summit.
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Promoting academic excellence, engagement in community service, and positive social interactions among undergraduate women of color.
WHAT WE DO
Mentorship
Bonding
Volunteering
Mental Health
Nia Johnson '25
Co-Event Coordinator
Engineering
Baltimore, Maryland
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I’m a senior in CALS studying Global and Public Health Sciences. I’m the co event coordinator for B.O.S.S, and I love B.O.S.S. because I found a community within Cornell that supports me. When I’m not in class, you’re likely to find me watching a cooking show on Netflix, reading a book, or drawing.
Amber Whetstone '24
Mental Health Summit Co-Chair
Biological Sciences
Macon, Georgia
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I am originally from Macon, Georgia, and I am in the College of Arts & Sciences double majoring in Biological Sciences with concentrations in Neurobiology & Behavior and Psychology. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family and traveling. I sit as Mental Health Summit Committee Chair. To me, B.O.S.S represents sisterhood, unity, leadership, and emphasizes the power in mentorship.
Natalie Maloon '26
Co-Event Coordinator
Global Public Health Sciences
Macomb, Illinois
I'm a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences studying Information Science and concentrating in Data Science and Ethics, Law and Policy. Outside of B.O.S.S, I am a TA for info 1260 and n the board of Digital Humanities. I enjoy watching tv, reading books, and doing make-up. I love B.O.S.S because it gave me such a great and supportive community of womxn of color on campus and an incredible mentor.
Maya Smith
Mentorship Chair
Industrial and Labor Relations
Long Island, New York
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I am a senior in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. On campus, I am on three other executive boards and I am an Undergraduate Resident Fellow in William Keeton House. I joined B.O.S.S because I love to build community and found the mentors program comforting and a safe space. B.O.S.S has gifted with incredible mentees and friends!
Amara Hill '25
Co-President
Government
Los Angeles, California
I am a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Biology and Society with a minor in Inequality Studies. On campus, I am an RA in High Rise 5 as well as an Engaged Ambassador for Engaged Cornell. My freshman year, I joined B.O.S.S. because of their visible commitment to service as a way to foster relationships between older and younger womxn of color on this campus. B.O.S.S. has not only gifted me with incredible mentors, but it has allowed me a space to grow and learn from several inspiring womxn in my community.
Taren Daniels '23
Co-Treasurer
Economics and Statistics
Lexington, South Carolina
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I am a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences studying Economics and Statistics, and I'm originally from Lexington, Carolina. In my free time, I enjoy running (fitness), trying new recipes, traveling, and acapella. Outside of B.O.S.S, I am involved in Baraka Kwa Wimbo, BlackGen Capital, and Social Business Consulting. I love B.O.S.S because of the sisterhood. Everyone is willing to help each other, and everyone feels that their contribution is valuable.
Meet Our Board
Hyacinth White-Grey '24
Co-President
Psychology
Chicago, Illinois
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I am a senior at Cornell University in the College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Psychology. I'm a Posse Scholar from Chicago, Illinois. On campus, I am also involved in the Phi Delta Epsilon Pre-Medical Pre-Professional Fraternity, BlacBook, and the Pre-Professional Program. I enjoy creating playlists and watching shows on Netflix. B.O.S.S. has become a safe space for Hya, full of intelligent and supportive women of color who will be her lifelong friends! 💜
Dana Walters '22
Co-Treasurer
Biological Engineering
New Rochelle, NY
I'm a junior studying Biological Engineering with a concentration in Biomaterials and a minor in Biomedical Engineering. In my free time, I enjoy exercising and baking. Outside of B.O.S.S, I am on the eboard for HIVE, the Biological and Environmental Engineering (BEE) Society at Cornell. I am also on the eboard for the BOSS Mental Health Summit. What I love most about BOSS is that we all support each other and it really feels like one big family.
Victoria Taylor '(21)
Mentorship Chair
Hotel Major
Delaware
I'm a senior Hotel major in the SC Johnson College of Business. Outside of B.O.S.S, I am an RA at Ujamaa, National Finance Director for National Society of Minorities in Hospitality, and tutor for R.E.A.C.H. I love B.O.S.S because it is a support system filled with womxn of color who are genuinely kind and caring!
Lelani Gorham '23
Co-Event Coordinator
Government
East Hartford, Connecticut
I'm a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences studying Government with a minor in Business. I enjoy watching TikToks and playing different instruments. Outside of B.O.S.S, I work in the library and am on the eboard of Black Ivy Pre-Law Society. My favorite part of B.O.S.S is the people! They are very genuine and welcoming.
Gabby Hojilla '22
Publicity Chair
Communications Studies
SF Bay Area, California
I'm a junior in the College of Agriculture and life Sciences studying Communication with a minor in Education Studies. I enjoy watching tv, reading books, and doing make-up. Outside of B.O.S.S, I am a Publicity Assistant at Asha Cornell, mentor for the Cross-Cultural Adoptee Mentorship Program, and Open Doors English Program Teaching Assistant. I love BOSS because it gave me such a great and supportive community of womxn of color on campus and an incredible mentor.
Katrina Greene '27
Co-Freshman Representative
Psychology
Chicago, Illinois
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I'm a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences tentatively studying Psychology with a minor in French. I enjoy listening to music, going on late night car rides with my friends, watching Grey's anatomy, and making TikToks in my spare time. Outside of B.O.S.S, I am a part of the Service Frat Alpha Phi Omega and a member of the Pre-Professional Program. I love B.O.S.S because of how funny and inclusive everyone is. I feel like I can talk to anyone!
Izzie Diallo '27
Co-Freshman Representative
Economics and Africana Studies
Brooklyn, New York
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I'm a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences tentatively studying Economics and Africana Studies with minors in Finance and Business. I enjoy going on strolls, traveling, talking to people, and writing and watching spoken word. Outside of B.O.S.S, I am an Engaged Ambassador and part of Black Ivy Pre-Law Society and BlackGen Capital. I love B.O.S.S because I enjoy being in a community of womxn who are not only determined to succeed, but who also clearly believe in community and empowerment. I always feel heard and loved in B.O.S.S.
Athena Scott '21
Co-Community Outreach Chair
Biology and Society
Yonkers, New York
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I'm a senior in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences studying Biology and Society with a minor in Development. I enjoy karate, crochet, and taking and editing pictures. Outside of B.O.S.S, I am an RA at the Ujamaa Residential College and a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. My favorite part of B.O.S.S is the love and support from fellow womxn of color on this campus
Please visit our Mental Health Summit website for more information!
The annual mental health summit takes place November 9th -11th. We look forward to seeing you there.
CONTACT B.O.S.S
Get in touch with B.O.S.S. to learn more about our work and find out how to become a part of the organization.