Canfield BHP senior Ashley Omehe lives by the belief that people should leave a place better than they found it. During her time on the 40 Acres, she has applied this belief to her work as the lead of the BlackHP affinity group.
“I would say that BlackHP’s mission is to cultivate a unified, safe space for black CBHP students to be their authentic selves and to establish camaraderie through mentorship and social events,” Ashley explained.
When she was a freshman, Ashley wished there was a community of black Canfield BHP students to help ease her transition to college. She, therefore, jumped at the opportunity to lead BlackHP during her junior year, and she worked to build connections between black Canfield BHP students across all graduating classes.
“By really making an effort to create the space we wanted for ourselves,” Ashley recalled, “my co-lead Michael and I transformed BlackHP from just a group on GroupMe that shares the occasional message to a group that can call each other friends and can seek solace in each other.”
Ashley’s favorite memory in BlackHP was the Friendsgiving celebration in the fall of 2021. Ashley and her co-lead, Michael, hoped to use the social event to spark some new interest in their affinity group. “We were both really nervous about the turnout and how the event would go, but it ended up being really fun!” Ashley remembered. In fact, Ashley said that this Friendsgiving event “rejuvenated BlackHP and paved the way for where we are today.”
As Ashley prepares to graduate this spring, she has some advice for younger Canfield BHP students: “Get involved! I would say attend Honors Business Association meetings, go to networking events, volunteer within the program, go on company trips, and get to know the administration! It will only enhance your college experience and leave you with incredible memories.”
With her own college experience coming to a close, Ashley is looking forward to staying in Austin to work at DISCO in its Emerging Leaders Rotational Program.
In celebration of Black History Month, the Canfield Business Honors Program will be showcasing some of our Black/African American students and alumni for the month of February.