Celebrating Five Years of Cohort Sistas: Building Community, Resourcing Brilliance, and Looking Ahead

On March 7, 2026, Cohort Sistas board members, staff, scholars, and supporters gathered in Washington, D.C.—alongside community members joining online and in California via watch parties—to celebrate our five-year anniversary

As our Board Chair, Dr. Tiffany Wiggins, shared in her opening remarks, what started as a small, informal effort to support doctoral students has grown into a global community of over 1,000 scholars navigating doctoral education and beyond. The evening was a beautiful example of what it looks like when community gathers with purpose.

A space to be seen—and to see what’s possible

Throughout the evening, we heard directly from Cohort Sistas scholars whose journeys reflect both the challenges of doctoral education and the power of sustained support. One scholar spoke about navigating isolation, uncertainty, and moments of being off track—experiences that are far more common than we often acknowledge. Another shared what it means to be supported from the very beginning of the doctoral journey through to the final stages of completion (she successfully defended just 3 days after the gala!).

These testimonials were powerful reminders that doctoral success is not simply a project of individual determination; it is shaped by access to mentorship, community, and guidance along the way.

At its core, Cohort Sistas exists to provide that infrastructure. Not as a one-time intervention, but as a sustained ecosystem of support that helps scholars move from application to degree completion—and into leadership beyond the doctorate.

Honoring legacy, building forward

A central part of the evening was honoring leaders whose work reflects a long-standing commitment to mentorship, scholarship, and building pathways for others.

Through our Living Legacy Awards, we recognized Dr. Shireen Lewis, Dr. Aprille Ericsson, and Dr. Raven Baxter — individuals who have not only achieved excellence in their fields, but have invested in the next generation by creating opportunities, opening doors, and expanding what leadership looks like.

Their work is a reminder that none of this happens in isolation. Every scholar’s journey is connected to a broader network of people who choose to invest in their success. Even when the road is challenging, the strength of our community remains a constant in the pursuit of higher education.

A collective investment

Through the generosity of those in the room and those joining virtually, we saw what it looks like when a community chooses to invest in the infrastructure that supports doctoral scholars—not just in theory, but in practice.

That investment reflects a shared belief: that scholars should not have to navigate doctoral education alone, and that their success has implications far beyond the academy.

As we move into this next phase, the focus is on sustainability, expansion, and deepening impact—ensuring that the pathways we are building today continue to exist for the scholars who come next. While we did not formally share what this next chapter will look like in full, the direction is clear: the need for sustained, structured support does not end at degree completion, and neither does our commitment.

We are not just building a set of programs, but an infrastructure that supports scholars across the full arc of their journey—and positions them to lead beyond it.

This anniversary gala was a moment to celebrate. It was also a reminder: the work is not done.

And we are building it. Together.

For media inquiries, please contact: info@cohortsistas.org.