Zenzi Tholo '25
“What really drew me to Bliss Dental was the goals the company has to make dental care available and accessible in the Black community and to make it a safe space.”
“What really drew me to Bliss Dental was the goals the company has to make dental care available and accessible in the Black community and to make it a safe space.”
Bryn Mawr students define success on their own terms and lift up others as they make a meaningful difference in the world.
Zenzi Tholo '25, born in Boston and raised in Botswana, Africa, who is majoring in psychology with intended minors in Africana studies and biology, is making a difference working as a marketing director for Bliss Dental Clinic.
Bliss Dental, the neighborhood dental practice of Dr. Melody Mafa, is located in Collingdale, a suburb just outside of Philadelphia located about 30 minutes from Bryn Mawr.
Mafa lives near Bryn Mawr’s campus and she and Zenzi met by chance one day as Mafa was out walking her dog. The night before they met, Zenzi had found some lost keys on the ground.
“I was living in town. It was just great to see another Black person in this community,” recalls Zenzi. “We started talking and I found out she was the one with the lost keys. We exchanged numbers and she told me about her dental practice.”
Mafa, who is from Zimbabwe, kept in touch with Zenzi and eventually offered her an opportunity to help with the marketing of the clinic.
As marketing director, Zenzi’s role involves community outreach, conducting demographic surveys to better understand the community’s needs, and helping develop the practice’s website.
“What really drew me to Bliss Dental was the goals the company has to make dental care available and accessible in the Black community and to make it a safe space.”