This story originally appeared in GW Today.
Don’t wait for a seat at the table—build your own.
For Nana Agyemang, B.A. ’16, this isn’t just some Instagram-worthy motivational quote; it’s the doctrine she lives by. As the visionary behind EveryStylishGirl, Agyemang has strived to dismantle the barriers women of color face in fashion and media and create something new in their place. Now, with a thriving platform and a newly endowed scholarship at GW, she’s not only built her own table—she’s making sure there’s plenty of room for the next generation to join her.
Agyemang always dreamed of becoming a fashion journalist, and during her time at GW, she worked tirelessly to turn that dream into a reality.
“I used to email 10 to 20 people—whether they were editors, contributors or writers at fashion publications—asking if I could buy them a coffee and chat,” she recalls. “I did that every single week.”
That persistence paid off when she connected with an assistant to the editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar, paving the way for her first job in the fashion industry. However, she soon realized that it wasn’t going to be smooth sailing from there.
“Once I broke into the industry, then I started dealing with some cultural misunderstandings,” she shares. “I remember really struggling to show my unique perspectives and ideas. I didn’t really feel like they were valued or understood.”
Instead of waiting for the fashion world to change, Agyemang took matters into her own hands. What began as an Instagram account during her GW days blossomed into EveryStylishGirl—a digital platform that provides media and business support, career advice and other resources to empower young Black women navigating industries that have long excluded them.
“I noticed a gap in representation,” Agyemang says. “And I really wanted to create a space that celebrated voices like mine.”
Nana Agyemang said without her GW scholarships, “I wouldn't have been able to take a majority of my internships."
Today, EveryStylishGirl is more than a digital hub; it’s a community that hosts global fashion and beauty summits for those looking to start their own businesses or grow in the corporate world. These events aren’t just about style—they’re about breaking barriers. Attendees gain practical skills, from salary negotiation to entrepreneurship, all wrapped in Agyemang’s core message: nothing is out of reach.
“We’re really giving you the tools and exact steps and details that you need to succeed to the next level,” she explains. “The only way to break down these barriers is by not gatekeeping.”
Agyemang’s dedication to uplifting others extends beyond her platform; she’s now establishing the Nana Agyemang Media Scholarship to support students in the School of Media and Public Affairs, part of GW's Columbian College of Arts & Sciences.
“It feels incredible to be able to contribute in such a meaningful way to an institution that contributed to me in such a meaningful way,” says Agyemang, who’s one of the youngest GW alumni to create an endowed scholarship. “I wouldn't have been able to take a majority of my internships if it wasn't for my scholarships.”
But it’s not only about money; Agyemang plans to mentor students, helping them flourish in industries that have historically overlooked them.
“I know how tough it can be to even get your foot in the door, and I want to make that path easier for others,” she says. “I hope what the scholarship can do is bring diverse perspectives and fresh ideas to the media landscape and new voices that didn't think they would be heard before.
“The challenges I faced made me who I am,” Agyemang adds. “But I don’t want other women to go through the same struggles. It’s time for us all to rise together.”
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