Holding a leadership position - Havelin Autry

As Co-President of the Spelman Economics Club, I had the opportunity to host a campus-wide panel and podcast with Anna Gifty, an influential economist, author, and advocate for equity in economics. The panel brought together students from across Spelman to engage in an open conversation about her book The Double Tax, which highlights the compounding challenges of race and gender faced by Black women in professional spaces. Following the panel, we recorded a more intimate podcast session specifically for Economics majors, allowing students to ask personal questions about navigating the field as young Black scholars.

In my leadership role, I focus on creating spaces that affirm and empower Black women to see themselves as thought leaders and changemakers in economics and business. From planning logistics to moderating discussions, I worked to ensure that every event was intentional, centered on representation, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing. The success of these events reminded me why it’s so important for us to take up space in rooms that weren’t built for us, and to build new ones when necessary. My goal as a student leader has always been to help Black women not only enter these spaces but thrive within them, academically, professionally, and personally.