Turning doctoral access gaps into economic mobility
Cohort Sistas helps underestimated scholars — especially Black women — get into doctoral programs, complete them with their wellbeing intact, and translate their degrees into high-impact careers.
A doctoral degree is one of the most powerful drivers of economic mobility and social change. But the scholars who stand to gain the most are also the ones the academy was least designed to support — facing isolation, financial strain, and a near-total absence of mentorship from people who look like them and know what they're up against.
Cohort Sistas exists to close that gap. We surround underestimated scholars with the mentorship, community, and career development they need to enter the academy, persist through it with their wellbeing intact, and emerge ready to lead — in research, in industry, and in the world.
A PhD should be a path to power.
We make sure it is.
We walk alongside scholars from doctoral applications to their first career move.
Getting underestimated scholars into doctoral RESEARCH programs.
We help scholars navigate the application process, find the right programs, and present themselves with confidence — removing the barriers that stop talented people before they start.
Graduate School Fair · Sankofa Academy
ACCESS
Keeping doctoral scholars in — and well — through the finish line.
We surround doctoral students with discipline-matched mentorship, peer community, and the socioemotional support that makes completion possible and protects their wellbeing along the way.
Sista Circle Mentorship Program · Success Collective
COMPLETION
Translating the doctoral degree into economic power.
We help advanced and graduating scholars build the skills, networks, and confidence to land high-impact careers inside and beyond academia.
ASCEND · Career Summit
CAREER TRANSITION
Throughout every stage of the doctoral journey, scholars are part of a community built to sustain them for life, not just through graduation.
OUR IMPACT
4,500
Scholars in the Cohort Sistas community across 48 states & 40+ countries
97%
Doctoral program retention and completion rate among SCMP program alumni
92%
Of mentees report increased confidence in their doctoral journey
Our Work Has Been Supported By
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“As a Ph.D. student in a field that has little minority representation—political science—Cohort Sistas has provided me the opportunity to meet amazing Black women I likely would have never been able to meet.”
Amara, Doctoral Student
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“To be digitally surrounded with thousands of Black women all over the world earning their Ph.D. truly gives me joy every day. If this platform was around years ago, I may have already finished school!”
Tyeisha, Prospective Student
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“I had just been accepted into a PhD program and after immense joy came anxiousness. Knowing that many of the few of us are connected, makes me feel I have this additional support network for my doctoral program.”
Tamara, Doctoral Student
FOR SCHOLARS
You belong here. And you don't have to do this alone. Join 4,500+ doctoral scholars who are navigating the PhD journey together — with mentorship, community, and the tools to finish and thrive.
FOR SUPPORTERS
The return on this investment is transformative. When underestimated scholars finish their PhDs and step into leadership, entire fields change. Your support makes that possible.