Imara Roose Inc. is a volunteer-based 501(c)(3) mentoring program

for women of color, by women of color. 

It was launched in 2011 by Halima Adenegan, Esq.

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Given her experiences as a black woman and first-generation American,

Halima was inspired to return to her alma mater, Eleanor Roosevelt High School (ERHS),

and create Imara Roose as a means to inspire, empower, and uplift girls in her community. 

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Over time, the focus shifted from college students mentoring high school students

to professionals mentoring to college students.

Imara (ee-mah-rah) is Swahili for strong and resolute—

key characteristics black and brown women must embody to excel

in a society where they will continue to face countless barriers

to equitable access and opportunity because of their race and gender.

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Roose, pronounced “rose”,

is a pun on the ERH's name, and representative of the flower, which denotes beauty.