Lehigh’s storybook campus led two students to an equally storybook destination this summer: the Cayman Islands. Lya Joseph ‘25 ‘26G and Emmanuella Agyemang ‘26 traveled with Simone A. James Alexander to present at the 17th Biennial Conference of the Association of Caribbean Women Writers and Scholars (ACWWS), held June 12-15, 2025. The trip was transformative, offering conversations with leaders, writers, and scholars from around the globe.

The conference’s theme “Global Feminist Leadership in a Time of Crisis: Scholarship, Advocacy, Activism, Creativity, and Pedagogy” offered presentations on real-time issues facing women and the world today. Alexander, professor of English and director of the Africana Studies program, longtime member and current President of ACWWS, has tasked herself with mentoring the next generation.

“One aspect of transformative feminist leadership is mentoring junior scholars and students, and ultimately choosing the next generation of female leaders,” Alexander says. With help from the Africana Brettschneider fund, Joseph and Agyemang were able to join her at the University College of the Cayman Islands.

Empowering Experience

Joseph, who graduated in May with majors in political science and Spanish and a minor in Africana studies and is now pursuing a master’s in politics and policy at Lehigh, underscored the importance of ensuring departments have funding to support students. “Attending these conferences helps students to see what they can do with their career, see what they can do with their major, and keep students inspired,” she reflects.

For Agyemang, who is pursuing a double major in journalism and Africana studies, hearing from women was eye-opening. “Hearing from so many women on the work they're researching, the papers that they have written, the books they've written, the projects that they're still putting forth was so empowering because I don't see that a lot in my day to day,” she says. Seeing the incredible careers of these women opened up possibilities for Agyemang about the different career paths she could pursue.

The chance to see accomplished Black women in academia had a similar impact on Joseph. “I would say it was very empowering to see all of those women, especially Black women, pursuing academia and being able to come together with fellow academics,” she says. The conference inspired Joseph to consider expanding her academic and career interests beyond her political science major, as she was exposed to interdisciplinary work combining fields like economics, gender studies, and African studies.

The atmosphere of the conference was one of collaboration and camaraderie. “They see that environment as somewhere safe enough that they can be open and get useful feedback from their peers,” Joseph explains. Agyemang adds, “The conference was a space where other women not only shared their work, but also resonated on topics that they probably didn't feel validated on.”

Lya Joseph ‘25 ‘26G and Emmanuella Agyemang ‘26 stand on the upper balcony of the Clayton University Center.

Not only did both students present at a conference for the first time, it was on an international stage. Yet neither felt intimidated by the audience. “They were really impressed, and it made me feel a lot better knowing that we had support,” Agyemang says. 

Agyemang presented her paper titled “Voice, Vision, and Visibility” about practicing leadership as a student journalist on campus and as part of the Brown and White. As editorial editor she recalls advocating for underrepresented voices within the Lehigh community. She authored a piece called “Where Are All the Black Statues?” which “grew out of this sense of responsibility for making sure that we were engaging with more conversations about racial equity and representation on campus.”

Joseph presented a paper on student advocacy and leadership. “I spoke about my experience having a leadership position on the campus and how that was heavily influenced by my being raised by Caribbean women,” she recalls. She tied her personal experience to “the broader history and tradition of Black women being leaders within our communities.”

Alexander's goal is for this experience to be the beginning of a long relationship with the ACWWS for both students. "I'm hoping that Emmanuella and Lya envision the organization as a space that fosters and promotes positive female relationships and friendships beyond the ivory tower," she says.

Leaders on Campus

Agyemang and Joseph’s accomplishments at the conference are a testament to their dedication and leadership both on and off campus. Agyemang has served as captain of the African Renaissance dance team, writer and communications intern for the Lehigh UN Partnership, and active member of the Women of Color Alliance, African Student Association, and Black Student Union. Joseph has been a leader in the Caribbean Culture Club and has won a number of awards, including the William R. Scott Award for excellence in the Africana studies program and the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.

Both students credit their Lehigh education with helping them develop writing skills, critical thinking, and overall resilience.

“I conceived this panel to showcase Africana Studies, and the university, as a whole, in a global setting. I'd like to expand Africana's outreach by placing it in dialogue with the international/diasporic community,” Alexander explains. “I hope that they consider becoming members and future leaders of this wonderful and supportive women organization.”

All three women embody what it means to be scholars, leaders and advocates.