Maryville’s Mocha Tea organization has received the 2020 Inspiring Affinity Group Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. The award honors programs that inspire and encourage higher education professionals to join a campus that features employee resource groups offering mentoring, collaboration, social networking opportunities and more.

Mocha Tea began when two female African American staff began meeting informally to support each other professionally. Their bond began to extend into a more personal realm as they navigated their workplace and the predominantly white St. Louis County in which it’s located. Over time, other female African American staff began joining them.

Today, Mocha Tea boasts 50 members including students, faculty and staff. The organization provides support and programming for women of color through events including book clubs, lunch ‘n’ learns and mental health talks on topics including coping with stress.