The inaugural class of WIE's Mentoring Across Difference program came to a close in May at Johnson C Smith University.  Twenty mentors and twenty mentees celebrated the close of this highly successful program.

"I have been greatly impacted by my mentee's personal strength, her vision and her desire to succeed", said TaLeayah Johnson.  "It has given me pause to reassess my own personal vision and just how far I am willing to go to make my dreams come true.  I am confident that we will continue a relationship after this period of time and I can honestly say that I have learned more and received more from this relationship than I could have ever given".

Shakira Randolph commented, "My mentor has been one of the greatest blessings that I have received thus far. She counsels me, she chalenges me. We have created an outline for my life post graduation and thereafter.  She has enlarged my network circle, and she encourages me to soar beyond what I can believe.  In her words, "If not bigger, you are going to be Oprah status"."

Women’s Inter-Cultural Exchange is pleased to announce the Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation Mentoring Across Difference Program. This program, developed through a partnership between the Women’s Inter-Cultural Exchange and Johnson C Smith University was created to pair WIE mentors with JCSU students. The program’s goal is to complement these young lady’s leadership and development skills, allowing them to be more visible to senior level people in business and in the community. Further, it is an opportunity for these students to receive guidance from leaders they may normally not have access to.

O what a morning!

On this glorious fall day, how exciting and energizing to look out and see you — this remarkable audience of women and men of such varied ages and backgrounds.  What brought us here?  What chasm, what wide divergences, are we seeking to bridge?  How will mentoring help narrow the gaps?  What is mentoring across difference?

Let’s explore these questions together.  Today as we near the end of the first decade of the 21^st century, globalization and large migrations of people transform our world.  The pace of change accelerates.  Events often move faster than our understanding.  The economic uncertainty of the past few years creates additional anxiety and too often increases fear of the other, in some cases leading to language and actions that dehumanize those who are different.