Our Roots Say That We're Sisters Marquette University

Dr. Abiola Keller is an associate professor who has dedicated her career to advancing health equity and promoting diversity in education. A Nigerian American, her work at Marquette University bridges her cultural heritage with her passion for mentorship and advocacy for women of color. Her academic prowess and commitment to inclusion make her an inspiring figure who is shaping the future of healthcare and academic leadership.
We navigate the journey of Dr. Abiola Keller, an influential associate professor at Marquette University's College of Nursing. Dr. Keller, with her Nigerian American identity, illuminates the challenges and triumphs of pursuing excellence in academia. She discusses the impact of visibility for women of color within the academic sphere, the significance of mentorship, and the importance of community and self-care. Join us as we uncover how individual investment, mentorship, and cultural values shape the pursuit of health equity in Milwaukee.
Episode Highlights
09:18 - I had a space where people saw me for who I was, not just the color of my skin. But it also connected me to faculty and staff who were committed to my transformation and my ability to achieve my dreams.
16:12 - He was making investments in people to come back and stay in Milwaukee and make change. And that's when I think about my decisions, that's what I think about is, you know, someone believed in me so much that they funded my education because they knew that I could make a difference.
21:04 -  I think in academia, to be a woman of color and to succeed, you need that grace and that poise because there are some days when the response you want to give is not the responsible advance the agenda or the conversation.
23:22 - We are fighting while you were here because we want you to walk across that stage because your power increases exponentially when you are an alum of this institution.
Interview
What drove you to return to Milwaukee and focus your efforts on health equity?
01:30 - It was important for me to come back and contribute to the city that had invested in me. Through my work, I want to ensure that health equity isn't just an idea, but a reality we're actively building
Can you speak to the importance of visibility and role models for women of color in your field
05:45 - Seeing people who look like me in positions of influence helped me visualize my own path. It's crucial that women of color have those examples to aspire to.
What strategies do you use to inspire your students and navigate challenges
09:17 - I encourage them to rise above obstacles by focusing on their well-being and practicing resilience. It's about equipping them with the tools to succeed both academically and personally.
How has your Nigerian heritage influenced your perspective on education and success?
12:52 - My heritage instilled a strong sense of possibility and expectations. It shaped how I approach challenges and seize opportunities.
What's next for you in your mission to integrate the community with Marquette University
15:26 - I'm working towards creating a space where the community doesn't just feel welcome but also seen and heard, a true reflection of the diverse voices and experiences we value
Contact Information:
http://www.marquette.edu/diversity/
Credits:
The Our Roots Say That We're Sisters Podcast series was recorded and produced by Podcast Town (www.podcasttown.net)

In this episode, we are joined by JohnRae' Stowers, the associate director of EOP Student Support Services, to share her inspiring story. JohnRae' reflects on her upbringing as the youngest of three, raised by her single mother in East St. Louis.
She highlights the pivotal role her mother played in emphasizing the importance of education and paving the way for her success. JohnRae' discusses her deep-rooted connection to her identity as a black woman and the influence of strong female figures in her life.
She also delves into the impact of the Our Roots Say That We're Sisters mural project and her hopes for the future, both for herself and for the community. Join us as we uncover JohnRae's powerful journey and the meaningful impact she continues to create in the lives of others.
Episode Highlights:
03:00 - Pathways in Education: "My first job, I was in 7th grade working as a tutor at Silver Spring Neighborhood Center. And so that kinda created the foundation of, like, my love for people, education, how do I, you know, get young people to work together and connect and have fun while learning?"
06:36 - Empowerment Through Sisterhood: "When I say that you're my sister, that means I have a responsibility to you to make sure you are okay, that your needs are met."
10:18 - The Importance of Support Networks: "Just showing up when they know that I have things that they can support. So in that I think that was that for me was huge. Like, who's gonna show up when I need somebody to be there, whether it's an event that I'm hosting, an event where I'm speaking at, or if I'm sick or need help with my children. I have a wonderful circle of friends that are adamant about showing me that I'm I got you.
Interview
What's the story you want to share with us today?  
01:21 - When asked that question, I'm thinking, like, what story do I share? I have so many. You know, it brought me back to, like, my mom, who has been a significant influence in my life.
So how how has, your identity as a a black woman really informed the choices that you've been making?
05:18 - Raised by a black woman. So, I, like I said, watched my mom go through things, hard things, easy things, fun things, sad things. My faith has been a cornerstone, guiding my actions and interactions with others.
How has the mural project resonated for you?  
06:30 - The mural project just made me think about my mom, who passed away in 2014, and the impact she had on my life. It triggered the creation of the Divas Branch, a support network focused on empowering women, which has brought healing and resilience.
What would you say has been Marquette's impact on women of color?  
08:26 - I think I think Marquette tries really, really hard. I think that women of color on Marquette's campus must be intentional about connecting with each other. I don't think that it's going to naturally just happen. Right? We may work in the same office and we connect that way, but across campus, I think that we have to be intentional about bringing each other together.
Other than your mother, who are some of the other women who have been inspirational for you?  
09:47 - Hands down, Bridgette Johnson, my college recruiter, had a significant impact, guiding me through college and helping me navigate various challenges. Her influence and the support of other strong women have been instrumental in shaping my journey.
This the forum for this year, the theme has has been revolving around ideas of self care and wellness, balance, healing. What are some of the things that you do? ?  
11:36 - I am a crybaby. I think that's how I release. Like, when I feel like, what do we call it? An empath? Like, when I feel, I feel....

Sheena Carey explores the inspiring journey of Fatima Jimenez Gonzalez, a vibrant Latina, a Dreamer, and a first-generation immigrant. Fatima opens up about her challenges, her hopes, and her dreams for the future.
As she prepares to embark on her teaching career, hear her discuss her concerns about the profession and her hopes for herself and for Marquette. Feel the strength and determination in her voice as she speaks up for herself and other Dreamers.
Remember, this is not just a story. It's a testament to the beautiful diversity of our community. Tune in to feel inspired, challenged, and hopeful all at once.
Episode Highlights:
04:30 - We've been doing a lot of advocacy in terms of really making our presence known on campus and teaching other people. You'd be surprised. A lot of people don't know what a Dreamer is. They don't know what DACA is. They barely know what undocumented means, which is really ridiculous in this day and age. But we've been able to really educate our Marquette community and just overall feel like more people see us.
13:55 - I hope that other people realize that your silence isn't going to protect you. And so, you might as well say what you want and you might as well speak up for yourself. Say what makes you uncomfortable, what's happening, and try to seek help in that way, if that makes sense.
16:36 - I think it's important for them to realize everybody's story is different, and everybody's story is unique, and everybody's story is important. And so, I would like to say that I know my story is important, and I know that my story is meaningful, and I hope that they find some truth in that as well.
Interview
What aspects of that story do you want to share with us today?
01:30 - I'm here to represent not just first-generation students, Latinas, but most importantly, my story as an undocumented immigrant, and how I've been able to persevere as a dreamer, not only in college, but in life in general.
06:16 - We started the pitch by stating a lot of the things that undocumented immigrants can't do, so we had one person pop up and say, "Undocumented immigrants can't do this," and then someone else stood up, "and they can't do this." And so, I think it really opened the eyes of everyone in the crowd.
Where do you come from? Are you a Milwaukee native?
01:47 - I've grown up in Milwaukee, pretty much lived here my entire life, but I was born in Mexico. I was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco. And I came over here just under the age of two, but I've lived in Milwaukee, grown up here, gone to school here, worked here.
How did you get on this path?
02:20 - Everyone who is older than me was or is also undocumented or now documented. And so, I've been able to see them persevere through their status. And also my parents have always been very pro education. And so, my path has always been through education. And I think that's why I have fallen into the education field in terms of what I want to do in the future as well.
What are some of the challenges you've faced being an undocumented individual in Milwaukee, especially at Marquette?
02:59 - A lot of the challenges I face include not being able to apply to certain programs, especially within the education field. A lot of those require you to either be a citizen or have some type of like federal documentation.
You've created some programs, some opportunities for other folks like yourself. Talk a little bit about those.
04:01 -At Marquette, we started the first official Dreamers Group, and so we're called Marquette Dreamers. So, it's a group of students who welcome not just undocumented...

In this enlightening episode, we venture into the healing universe of Parisa Shirazi Chavoya, a queer Iranian-American woman who's transforming the wellness landscape in Milwaukee with her unique blend of yoga and sound healing practices.
A double graduate of Marquette University, Parisa's incredible journey from political science to the realm of healing is a story that needs to be heard. With a strong emphasis on trauma-informed, accessible classes, her work aims to serve individuals with chronic pain conditions, disabilities, and pregnant women.
This episode is a tribute to resilience, a celebration of diverse culture, and an exploration into the power of sound healing. Parisa's journey with fibromyalgia and her mantra, "Don't be afraid of being still," serves as an inspiration to many. Tune in to discover how she leverages her experiences to foster a culture of wellness and empowerment.
Episode Highlights:
02:34 - There was this desire to learn more embodiment practices where I was able to find healing and rest through movement and yoga became that tool for me throughout my twenties.
04:52 - I think my experience of my own healing journey of learning how to better support myself and also having a chronic pain condition myself has really drawn me to being more empathetic and understanding of other people's realities. I've been doing a lot of extensive training to be able to learn how to work with people.
08:35 - Movement had become my medicine. And also when it came to the mental health aspect, I had become so busy with my life and didn't know how to really quiet my mind, and that was resulting in panic attacks, high stress levels.
Interview
What's the story you want to share with us today?
I really want to share more about my own healing journey and how wellness has played such a big role in that.
How do you identify?
01:55 - I identify as a queer Iranian-American woman.
Were you born in Iran or were you born here?
02:04 - I was born outside of Chicago. Both my parents are from Iran, came here when they were young, and my brother and I were born in the US.
How did you get on the path that you're on now?
02:16 - It's been a journey for me. I have always been really interested in movement. It comes from my culture. Iranians are very expressive people. We're very creative people.
02:54 - My chronic pain condition of fibromyalgia and then mental health concerns really drew me towards yoga and sound healing.
How did you go from being a practitioner to being an educator or a healer?
03:13 - I was feeling really drawn to working in higher ed. I had roles in different capacities and felt really driven in that way.
03:36 - I signed up for a yoga teacher training program, not really knowing where it was going to take me. And I fell in love with the practice and the idea of sharing that modality with other people.
What's been your greatest joy as a yoga practitioner?
03:56 - I love seeing people rest. The last couple of minutes during the class is Savasana, which is the time of complete rest. People are able to be still during that time and every time I get emotional seeing it.
How has your identity informed the choices that you've made?  
05:11 - My background is Iranian, we're culturally very hospitable people. We love to serve other people, hold space for other people. And so, that has always naturally been a part of my journey. But now to be able to do it through yoga has been a really cool way to be able to share that.
Do...

Join us for a transformative episode with Jayla Taylor, a resilient junior at Marquette University. As president of the Urban Scholars Program and a political science major, Jayla's journey is a beacon of strength and determination. Hailing from Milwaukee's diverse neighborhoods, Jayla proudly embraces her Black and Latina heritage, using it as a driving force for change. Her upbringing, steeped in Mexican and Black traditions, fuels her mission to break barriers.
Through leadership roles, Jayla fosters a sense of belonging for students of color, ensuring everyone finds their place at Marquette. Her story is a testament to the strength passed down through generations, with her mother and grandparents serving as guiding lights.
Jayla's initiatives, including MU Black Minds, aim to create a community where every student thrives, regardless of background. Tune in for insights on inclusivity, cultural strength, and uplifting the voices of tomorrow. Jayla's narrative encourages us to stand together, fostering kindness, open-mindedness, and unwavering support.
Episode Highlights:
12:13 - The first step is, of course, getting people of diverse backgrounds here. But the second step is making sure that they can be themselves and be comfortable and not feel just outcasted.
19:25 - Not having those resources to fall back on can really impact your experience that you're going to have and not being able to talk to anybody about any issues you're having or understanding why you feel a certain way towards a certain class, teacher, professor,  and things like that is really important that we're having discussions with each other, so it's a you're not alone type of thing. And I think my biggest thing was if I didn't have a community around me, I would not be succeeding as well as I am now.
20:46 - I was given this opportunity, and it's important for me to make other people feel like they're also given an opportunity, and it also makes me feel good when I make somebody else feel important. And I think that just builds your community even more of people wanting to be around you, not having to be around you, and I wanted to be the role model around other students.
Interview
What's the story you'd like to share with us today?
01:24 - I'd love to share about my background growing up from the city, as well as more about my scholarship program and what that all entails.
How do you identify?
01:40 - I identify as Black and Latina. My mom is Mexican and my dad is Black, so, half and half.
Where do you come from?
01:50 - I've grown up on the south side of Milwaukee for the past 20 years.
What high school did you go to?
01:55 - I went to DSHA, Divine Savior Holy Angels. It's an all girls Catholic high school.
Tell us how you got on the path that you're on.
02:16 - It starts with my parents and my background. My mom is a first generation kind of citizen here. So, her growing up and upbringing was a little different than mine. None of my aunts, uncles or parents went to college. So, it was more of a high school graduation thing and then moving on to a family. But her main goal for all of us, me and my two older siblings, was always to go to college, get a career, and make sure we are doing what we love in life. But that just kind of motivated me to always kind of have a target on my back to push forward and find any opportunity I could. My dad also didn't go to college, so being a first generation kind of college student, they gave me the leeway to figure it out and navigate it all on my own.
03:59 - Luckily,  I applied and just with all the things I...

Sheena interviews Gadeer Ayesh, a trailblazing Neurosurgery Physician Assistant, first-generation Arab-American Muslim, and advocate for inclusivity. Gadeer's journey from a small-town school to Marquette University defied expectations, driven by her parents' immigrant experience and a determination to excel.
The passing of her grandfather due to limited healthcare access fueled her commitment to make a difference. Despite skepticism, she emerged as a beacon of representation for her culture and religion. Gadeer's involvement in a mural project at Marquette celebrating women of color showcases her advocacy for inclusivity.
She draws strength from her support system, considering her family and community as her true heroes. Tune in for an inspiring story of resilience, authenticity, and a vision for an inclusive world!
Episode Highlights:
06:22 - It's really not fair that you have to represent an entire people but it is. A lot of people, especially like being at Marquette, they never encountered a Muslim before. They've never seen, they don't know what a hijab is. They don't know where Palestine is. And so just kind of being that spokesperson and embodying that in everything that I say and do, and all of my decisions. It catapults me into where I want to be and how I want to present myself.
12:43 - Each of my sisters is my therapist in a different way. I'm always able to be vulnerable with them. No judgments. Whether it's, I want to be a PA, but I don't know if I can get in, and them pushing me, striving me to be better.
18:22 - I struggled and it took a while to get to where I am today, but maybe the people after me, they don't have to go through that struggle. Maybe it'll be easier for them. The mentorship program, I would love to be a mentor.
Interview
What's the story you'd like to share with us today?
02:26 - I went to kind of a small town school, went to a private school where everyone's  the same as me. They're all first generation Arab-American Muslims, so a little sheltered kind of growing up, and then I go to Marquette. Absolutely loved it. I met a lot of my super close friends there, but I learned who I was at Marquette, grew as a person, , and then became a PA, and here I am.
What set you on that path to becoming a PA?
04:50 - I learned early on that if I wanted to succeed, if I wanted to do what I wanted while looking the way I looked, it takes a little dedication, a little drive. It wasn't easy. There was a lot of pushback. There was a lot of people questioning, who I was and what I was doing there. Am I qualified? And so, that always pushed me.
What are some other ways that your identity has informed the choices that you've made in life?
05:57 - You look at me and you know exactly who I am potentially, and you've already formed judgments based on  what I look like. So I am clearly Muslim. You see it by the hijab that I wear, and I embody kind of Islam in everything I do or say. And so, it's always on the forefront in terms of I'm representing myself, but I'm also representing my religion and my culture.
You've got a certain claim to fame. Which one of these are you?
07:05 - The one in the hijab. The one in the scarf.
How did you get to be a part of that and how did that make you feel?
07:13 - It's honestly the most surreal thing ever. I told you before my husband is my biggest kind of cheerleader and supporter and anybody he meets, "Did you know that my wife is on the wall? She's on the mural at Marquette. And it's like, "Oh, God, it's embarrassing."
You've referred to your husband several times....