The Estée Lauder Companies has entered a new partnership with the Department of Alumni Relations at Howard University to launch She’s Howard: Own Your Power.
 
The program will serve as a centralized hub for Howard alumnae to participate in experiential learning, career coaching, professional training and self-empowering mentorship opportunities.
 
“As an alumna of Howard University, I understand how valuable the Howard experience is, and I am especially inspired by the support we get from the Howard network long after graduating,” said Sharon Strange Lewis, director of alumni relations at Howard University. “She’s Howard: Own Your Power is our opportunity to double down on the support network that comes with being a Howard alum by strategically targeting our women graduates with opportunities that will help them advance both personally and professionally.”
 
Creating Opportunities

She’s Howard: Own Your Power will create opportunities for Howard alumnae to continue receiving the unique and distinct offerings of the Howard experience. The programming will include virtual networking events, a lecture series and seminars on relevant industry topics. Discussions will focus on topics that support the personal and professional needs of Howard alumnae, including strategies for balancing personal and professional responsibilities, navigating the challenges Black women face in the workplace, and more.
 
“I am delighted to serve as the executive sponsor for She’s Howard: Own Your Power,” said Nicole Monson, senior vice president and deputy general counsel for The Estée Lauder Companies and a graduate of Howard University School of Law. “My HBCU experience, like no other experience I’ve had, prepared me, not just for my career, but for life. It instilled in me a confidence that I can handle anything that comes my way because I was prepared, in large part, by what I learned during my matriculation. I have no doubt that my career and the opportunities I’ve had in corporate America are largely attributable to my HBCU experience.”
 
The partnership builds on a relationship that began in 2018 with The Estée Lauder Companies’ increased focus on HBCU recruiting and participation in Howard University’s 21 CAP Program. The partnership also supports the company’s Commitment to Racial Equity, a pledge made in June 2020. The commitment aligns with its vision of becoming the most inclusive and diverse beauty company in the world and standing in solidarity with its Black employees, Black consumers and Black communities at large.
 
She’s Howard: Own Your Power is a part of the company’s ongoing commitment to double recruitment of employees and interns from HBCUs, establish stronger partnerships with Black organizations, and meaningfully support external organizations and nonprofits pushing for systemic changes and racial and social justice.