The Superpower of Being Herself
By Zoe Wright
Mariama Suwaneh’s story is one of great success that is rooted in community. Growing up, she knew she was different as she was half Ghanaian yet raised by her 2nd generation Mexican-American mother. She learned quickly that being multicultural wasn't exactly the norm but she learned to embrace her identity and started the Black Student Union (BSU) at her high school. Her four years at the University of Washington developed the foundation for her career in racial justice work. After graduation, Mariama initially worked in recruiting and fundraising before moving on to a position as a learning and development specialist. In this role, she focused on how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) impacted the workplace. She landed her assistant director role after that at only the age of 24. Mariama decided to attend the University of Chicago for her Masters's degree in political science as she prides herself on being a lifelong learner.
A huge part of Mariama’s life is the various communities she is a part of and serves. Mariama contributes her success to the communities she’s involved in which keep her motivated and encourage the values she lives by. As a member of Zeta Phi Beta Incorporated, she is deeply inspired by the ladies that came before her who have laid the foundation for what that community looks like. Mariama says it is “absolutely incredible to watch and learn from them.”
Mariama finds joy in giving back to her communities that represent her intersectional identities. One example of this is being a part of the University of Washington’s Multicultural Alumni Partnership (MAP) where she is able to give back to her alma mater by encouraging and connecting with students of color on campus as well as hearing and being inspired by other alumni of color.
Mariama takes pride in the community she created the Edenhood Collective. Rooted in faith, this group of women supports one another as they create a space to share their experiences, and ask questions. Coming soon is another community named High Performing Black Girl which is directly inspired by Mariama’s own experiences and is hoping to share collective wisdom. This community will be centered around professional development and support as Mariama wants to encourage and uplift Black women who are leading successful lives as they juggle the many different parts of life.
The importance of living through her own personal values came from her Godparents who took Mariama in her last few years of high school. She lists her personal values as joy, purpose, and excellence. Joy is something she tries to recognize in her daily life in the form of gratitude by having daily practices at the beginning and end of each day. Knowing your purpose, which is where prayer and passion or practice and passion align, and standing fully in that is truly powerful and transformative. Excellence to Mariama is always trying your best. She recognizes that women of color often work two times as hard but are getting half as far so Mariama finds the balance and harmony in her life. She accepts failure as an opportunity to learn and doesn’t shy away from asking for help, all of these are displays of excellence in her eyes.
Fast forward to today, Mariama’s work is still rooted in racial justice as the Assistant Chief Equity Officer for the City of Tacoma in Washington State. Her work there is centered around the diverse community it serves by helping set strategic direction and developing and implementing key initiatives to ensure departments across the city are equitable.
Mariama Suwaneh has created a beautiful and successful life for herself by using her own experiences as an AfroLatina, Christian, woman. She is a true role model for those aspiring to be the change they want to see in the world!
