Member Spotlight: Ché Abram
What is your industry or area of expertise?
Race and equity in higher education.
Why do you believe in the mission of BlackFemaleProject?
I believe in the mission for BlackFemaleProject because it is the nurturing space I needed as a Black woman and as a part of America’s workforce.
What brought you to BlackFemaleProject?
What really attracts me to BlackFemaleProject is just the network, to be honest. It is the most holistic healing space I have ever been in. And it’s also the only space I've ever been in that actually lives its mission in how it takes care of its employees and its network.
How has BlackFemaleProject impacted you personally?
I would not be an iota of who I am today without BlackFemaleProject. Part of the reason I give back to BlackFemaleProject so much is because of all the gifts I have received through it. Every workshop, every meet and greet, and every chance to represent BlackFemaleProject—every single one of those moments has built me to step into the power that I have always had as a Black woman.
What motivated you to become an advisor to BlackFemaleProject?
My growing edge is asking people for money. I stepped into that role so that I could learn more about fundraising and asking for money. But also it’s just my gift back.
What BlackFemaleProject content or offering have you found most resonant?
My favorite podcast is the Ignite Your Imagination podcast episode with Jessica Norwood, Anasa Troutman, and Erin Dale Byrd. I've listened to that conversation over and over again, and I refer to it all the time. That conversation was so powerful to me because there was a question of, “Who would you be if you were not fighting white supremacy?” I use clips of it all the time. And I love every single thing we’ve done. I listen to everything, watch everything, and read everybody’s story. But that was the one that forced me to dream bigger.
BIO:
An Oakland, California native, Ché has a primary lens in higher education. Currently, she is on the Board of Directors for BlackFemaleProject and serves as Chief of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging for the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health. She cultivates restorative environments that promote healing from adversity and foster communities centered in accountability. She develops race and equity frameworks, programming, and practices that strengthen relationships with the self, community, and our environment, as her work is centered in knowledge, empathy, practice, vision, and holistic wellness. Her greatest accomplishments, thus far, have been creating the Berkeley Public Health Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Justice Strategic Framework 2032; implementing a school-wide LGBTQ+ Outlist; and introducing the RePAIR training model to the School and other UC Berkeley constituents. Ché’s most sacred self-care practice is spending time in nature.
CONNECT WITH CHÉ
Instagram @sympleeche
Twitter @sympleeche
