Ariel Laura Metayer
Women of Color Conference Attendee
Raised by a single mother who immigrated to New York from Haiti, Ariel Laura Metayer has seen firsthand the struggles and strengths of women in the workplace.
Now a rising senior at St John’s University, Ariel – a politics and government major with a 3.96 GPA – met a sisterhood of women while attending Forté’s Women of Color Conference who still support and encourage each other.
Why is Forté’s mission important to you?
My mother immigrated from Haiti and, in the absence of my father, I was raised by a village of women who contributed significantly to my growth. With diversity comes different perspectives, and at the two Forté programs I have participated in, I met women who, even though we come from different areas and cultures, have stories similar to mine. We shared a wealth of knowledge with each other, and Forté has given me a tribe of sisters who support me and want to help me.
Do you think you will get an MBA?
I have been thinking about it. In high school, I started a natural hair and body care line and participated in business competitions. I was sent to Taiwan to pitch to an international audience and won first place for the US and for New York, which was monumental for a triple minority: I am a woman, Latina, and Black. I want to become more well-rounded and refine my understanding of the business world because whatever you have darkness in has power over you. I want to have more understanding of finance, but I am also applying to law school.
