Center for Women, Gender and Global Leadership

“The Center is a blank canvas. There is room at the table for everyone to join us to paint a beautiful picture of what it can be.” – J. Jarpa Dawuni Ph.D., founding director, Center for Women Gender and Global Leadership

Howard University announced the founding of the Center for Women, Gender and Global Leadership thanks to a $1 million gift from Trustee Jim Murren and Heather Hay Murren in 2021. The Center has a bold vision: to be a Center of excellence for Black women and Black feminist consciousness, activism and global leadership.

We recently sat down with HU Associate Professor of Political Science and the Center’s Founding Director, Dr. J. Jarpa Dawuni, Ph.D. to learn more about the new Center.

What are your hopes and dreams for the Center?

Dr. Dawuni: There is no better time than now to bear witness to the importance of Black women’s leadership displayed every day and everywhere. We are building a global center of excellence on matters relating to Black women in the United States and the African Diaspora. I stand on the shoulders of Black women who came before me, and my focus is to build a strong foundation so those who come after me can continue to expand opportunities for Black women’s leadership.

What does this Center mean for HU alumni and how will its programming improve their lives?

Dr. Dawuni: We have heard from many alumni that they wish there was something like this when they were at Howard. What they have wished for is now being built – the time is now. In the great African tradition of living in community, it will take a village for the Center to thrive – and all our alumni are part of this village. We invite alumni to help grow this baby that we are birthing.

What fuels your passion for this work?

Dr. Dawuni: My family is full of strong women. And I am always drawn to my feminist womanist activist roots because of my maternal grandmother. She was not formally educated but was one of the most powerful women I have ever known. She knew her rights and was instrumental in raising her children and grandchildren. She was a feminist with a no-nonsense attitude – and she taught me that I can do anything.

What memorable moments have you had along this journey?

Dr. Dawuni: There are so many. One highlight was the first meeting of our Global Council of Leaders, which consists of eight women leaders who have a global footprint. The room was so full of talent and a positive reassurance of the leadership roles of Black women. We had foreign government executives, former Ambassadors and even a Nobel Prize winner all coming together to support this endeavor. That was a good moment and one that assured me that to have the support of such stellar women meant I was doing something right.

How can people get involved with the Center?

Dr. Dawuni:  Reach out. Let us know you are interested. We invite alumni to join our Center Champions Initiative to support the center through their time, talent, treasure, and networks.  Sign up to receive our newsletter and learn more about the Center’s activities and events at https://cwggl.howard.edu/events-news. Email us at womenscenter@howard.edu. Follow our social media and help amplify the work we do.

“I did not have to learn about gender equality in books – I learned it in real life from my mom. To this day, everything I do to promote gender equality or women’s empowerment is because of my experience growing up. I am honored to be part of Howard’s Center for Women, Gender and Global Leadership.” - Moustapha Hoyeck, Ph.D. candidate, Political Science