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Dear Friends,
2024 seemed to fly by in the blink of an eye! It feels like just yesterday we were gathered at our welcome-back barbecue, reconnecting and setting the stage for an incredible year ahead. Now, as we step into 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on all we accomplished together and share what’s on the horizon.
Last spring, we proudly nominated our first Student Executive Board, giving our mentees greater leadership opportunities and a stronger voice in shaping their TCI experience. From there, the year was filled with unforgettable moments—attending two GBK Brand Bar gifting suites, experienced the beauty of the Redondo Beach Ballet; and enjoying a luxurious sound bath experience, gifted to us by Vanessa Simmons, U4ia, and the Ethika teams, offering our mentees a much-needed space to reset and recharge before our mentees headed into midterms. We also had the privilege of an exclusive private tour of Warner Bros. Studios, getting a behind-the-scenes look at the magic of film and television. One of our most exciting experiences was attending a live taping of The Jennifer Hudson Show, where we saw GloRilla, Tia Mowry, and Cynthia Erivo—and the most unforgettable moment? Meeting Jennifer Hudson herself!
2024 was a year of growth, connection, and transformative experiences, reminding us of the power of community and opportunity. As we embark on this new year, we look forward to building on these incredible moments and creating even more impact together. Thank you for being part of this journey—here’s to an amazing 2025! |
| | |  | A big shoutout to our Student Executive Board and the incredible TCI mentees for making TCI an officially recognized student organization! We are beyond proud of this milestone and want to give a special acknowledgment to Maia Weingard, our Student E-Board Co-President, for leading the way. |
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Maia served as an outstanding project manager, overseeing every aspect of the application process from start to finish. This included drafting the constitution and bylaws, collaborating closely with TCI leadership and her fellow E-Board members to ensure everything was executed seamlessly. Please join us in celebrating and thanking Maia for her dedication, leadership, and hard work—this achievement would not have been possible without her!
TCI becoming an officially recognized student organization (RSO) at USC is a game-changer! This milestone means we can now serve all Black girls and nonbinary people at USC while having access to more resources, support, and opportunities to expand our impact. We are beyond excited for what this recognition will bring, and we can’t wait to continue creating a psychosocial safe space for our community to thrive, lead, and grow together! 🚀✨ |
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| | 🔥 TCI Gives Back: Supporting Wildfire Relief Efforts 💙 |
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As you know, Los Angeles recently experienced devastating wildfires, leaving many Angelenos displaced. In times of tragedy, it’s crucial that we come together to support and uplift those in need. Our TCI mentees felt called to give back, seeking ways to help those impacted by the fires.
When the opportunity arose, our girls leapt into action! Four TCI mentees volunteered at the GBK Brand Bar Gifting Suite, which partnered with Americares to assemble over 1,500 bags of necessities for wildfire survivors.
We are so proud of our mentees for showing up, stepping up, and making a tangible difference in their community. This is what sisterhood and service look like! 💪🏾❤️ |
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This section is all about celebrating the excellence, achievements, and magic of the phenomenal Black women in our TCI community! Whether it’s a major career milestone, a personal victory, or a game-changing accomplishment, our mentees, mentors, and staff are out here making waves—and we’re here to give them their well-deserved flowers.
From promotions and new opportunities to personal growth and creative ventures, we love to highlight the brilliance, resilience, and impact of Black women who continue to break barriers and set new standards. Keep reading to see who’s shining this month because, Sis Did That! 🎉🔥 |
|  | Kirsten Hawkins“These are the type of experiences I came to L.A for.” |
| TCI mentee and Co-Vice President Kirsten Hawkins has secured an incredible internship with influencer and Style & Society founder Kinya Claiborne! 🎉 Kirsten is gaining hands-on experience in film and photography, diving into the industry while living her best life in L.A. |
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| This opportunity came full circle after TCI connected with Kinya Claiborne at a GBK Brand Gifting Suite, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the doors it has opened for Kirsten. Not only is she sharpening her skills as an artist, but she’s also building the foundation for a bright and impactful career.
Watch out, world—Kirsten is on her way to greatness! We’re honored to be part of her journey as she takes these first bold steps. 🚀👏🏾 |
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TCI mentee Mika Hagos and student e-board Treasurer, is making power moves! She will be joining the Baker McKenzie team in D.C. as a 2025 Business Development, Marketing, and Communications Intern! 🎉 Baker McKenzie is a leading global law firm known for its commitment to innovation, inclusion, and cross-border expertise—and Mika is ready to bring her brilliance to the team. |
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| Mika shared that TCI and Kendall helped her understand the power of networking and mentorship, proving that building strong connections can elevate you both personally and professionally.
We are beyond proud of Mika as she steps into this exciting new opportunity. Watch out, D.C.—she’s coming for everything she deserves! 💪🏾🔥 |
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|  | | TCI’s very own Maia Weingard is Co- President of our student e-board and she’s making big moves! She has been selected as part of the Spring 2025 cohort for LA Tech Rising, a prestigious 14-week paid internship that provides hands-on experience, mentorship, and career development opportunities for future tech professionals. |
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| As an LA Tech Rising intern, Maia will be working with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Waymo, Microsoft, and Google! This opportunity will allow her to gain real-world experience in tech, expand her professional network, and continue paving the way for a successful career in the industry.
A huge shoutout to Maia’s mentor, Adriane Turner, an HR Director, who played a key role in helping her land this opportunity! Adriane provided invaluable guidance by reviewing Maia’s resume and ensuring it effectively highlighted her skills, setting her up for success in a competitive selection process. We are so proud of Maia for taking this next step toward her future—tech world, get ready because she’s coming! 🚀🔥 |
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| 🧹 Spring Cleaning for a Cause! 👗✨ |
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It’s that time of year again—spring cleaning season! As you clear out your closet, why not make a difference in the lives of young women stepping into their careers?
Many of our TCI mentees are entering the workforce and are in need of business and business casual attire to help them dress for success. If you're in the Los Angeles area and have gently worn tops, bottoms, shoes, and of accessories that you no longer need, consider donating them to the girls of TCI!
Think back to your first job or corporate role—you wanted to make a great impression, but finding the right wardrobe wasn’t always easy. We want our girls to feel confident and empowered as they take on new opportunities, and we all know that when you look good, you feel good—and when you feel good, you thrive!
👗 TCI Clothing Donation Wish List 💼✨
👚 Tops & Blouses ✅ Button-down shirts ✅ Blouses (solid colors & subtle prints) ✅ Professional sweaters & cardigans ✅ Blazers & suit jackets
👖 Bottoms ✅ Dress pants & slacks ✅ Skirts (knee-length or longer) ✅ Work-appropriate dresses ✅ Business suits (matching sets)
👠 Shoes ✅ Flats ✅ Low to mid-heel pumps ✅ Dressy boots ✅ Professional loafers
👜 Accessories ✅ Professional handbags & tote bags ✅ Belts (neutral colors preferred) ✅ Jewelry (simple & work-appropriate) ✅ Scarves
🧥 Outerwear ✅ Professional coats & trench coats ✅ Light jackets for business settings
Help us set our mentees up for success by donating today! For donation drop-off details, please contact [insert contact info]. Thank you for being part of their journey! ❤️
How to Donate: Mail Donations To:
The Collective Identity Mentoring
137 N. Larchmont Blvd, Ste 526
Los Angeles, CA 90004
📩 Questions? Contact our Executive Director, Nicole Lynn, at nicole@thecollectiveidentity.org.
Thank you for helping us set our mentees up for success! ❤️✨
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| Help us uplift Black Girls at USC by donating today! |
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