Oluwadara Deru

Since Oluwadara has arrived on campus, she has been selflessly leading initiatives and hosting events to promote the wellbeing of her communities. She has created events to answer the needs of her communities like: BWA’s annual headshots event to create a space for Black Women’s Alliance members to have headshots taken by a photographer who specializes in melanated skin; the BSUxLCC Carne Asada/BBQ to showcase the joy in resistance; events within McCMelanin, a space Oluwadara co-created for black women residing in McCormick; planned collaborations with OACES for Ebony Affair’s Blacktivities Midway to ensure pre-frosh were exposed to professional opportunities at MIT. Oluwadara’s skills to create community encompass a variety of skills like fundraising, finding support and advocacy. This is exemplified through her service on the OME Transition Planning Committee, Class of 2026 Class Council, Black Women Alliance, Wellbeing Ambassadorship, Global Language Ambassadorship, funding through the Mind and Heart Fund and more. Her desire to help goes beyond the MIT community as she has tutored Boston citizens through MIT's ITEC to help them prepare for their citizenship test or served at Harvard Square’s Homeless Shelter. She is also an enthusiastic mentor to those younger than her, serving as bridge between her major (Course 2) and other programs she has been a part of like Burchard Scholars, Laureates & Leaders and the CRWN. At the heart of Oluwadara’s service is the desire to make sure everyone is seen and has the tools necessary to succeed.