During these national convenings, we engage Black alumni leaders and university presidents in our conversations and work. Click here for an overview of speakers and guests who will join us.
Learn more here about our Six Core Sessions, which all reflect our mission-based Six Pillars of Impact. Each session will be led by a Black alumni association/council/group that will share best practices and learnings.
Our Planning Committee has created an amazing experience to engage Black alumni and student leaders from schools across the country. For a summary of the 3-day retreat, visit here.
For both Friday and Saturday nights, we'll partake in friendship, fellowship, and fun. We also have customized recipes for mocktails and cocktails - click here to learn more!
We'll offer five concurrent sessions for various groups of Black alumni leaders and students. Visit here to learn more.
We will begin designing a community service initiative that all Black Alumni associations from universities across the country can participate in this year. Click here to learn more.
When Black people are present at the table, everyone wins! Join American University Black Alumni Alliance This session will help alliances and associations strategize ways to engage possible leaders within their general body, plan for the succession of current leaders, and create opportunities for Black leaders in volunteer positions throughout their colleges and universities.
Panelists:
Presenter: Kathy Russell: Chair, American University Black Alumni Alliance
With a goal to have a $1,000,000 endowment by 2024, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville's Black Alumni Council's philanthropy committee used 2020 as an opportunity to foster current relationships within the university, while simultaneously strategizing on how to engage and re-engage UT’s Black alumni base.
During this session, Jade and NeKeshia will discuss how they planned all of their giving efforts and Council programming around one goal. They will give insight on how alumni leaders can plan and advocate for their respective councils, while building better relationships between themselves and their respective institutions.
Presenters: NeKeshia Jones & Jade Newton, Board Members, University of Tennessee Black Alumni
In this session hosted by Duke Black Alumni,
Dr. Charmaine Royal, who is the Director of the Duke TRHT Center, will share guidance and insight around the following objectives, which are key in advancing Black alumni leadership both on campus and beyond.
Join The Citadel African American Alumni Association (CA4) in this conversation around strengthening and enhancing student recruitment and retention.
As Black alumni leaders, we must inspire high schoolers to achieve greatness in higher education, beginning with our alma maters.
Neither can do it alone. This session will provide an overview of the R’s: Student Recruitment, Retention and Reenlistment. Thanks for joining!
Presenters: Bruce Alexander (Immediate Past President) & Alvin Perkins (Board Member), CA4
We will design a community service initiative that all Black Alumni associations from universities across the country can participate in this year.
We will discuss ideas like the following:
If you have any ideas that you'd like to submit ahead of time, please contact us here.
Presenters: Qui-Juan Jones, American University Black Alumni Alliance & Allyson Reaves, Black Alumni Collective
This session, organized by College of Charleston Black Alumni Council, will explore how Black alumni can best support the goals of our beloved alma maters by discussing the following:
Panelists:
Duke University
Florida State University
University of Alabama
Presenters: Neysa Williams (Black Alumni Council President) & Ann Pryor (Vice President, Alumni Affairs), College of Charleston
Sylvia M. Burwell is American University's 15th president and the first woman to serve as president. A visionary leader with experience in the public and private sectors, President Burwell brings to American University a commitment to education and research, the ability to manage large and complex organizations, and experience helping to
Sylvia M. Burwell is American University's 15th president and the first woman to serve as president. A visionary leader with experience in the public and private sectors, President Burwell brings to American University a commitment to education and research, the ability to manage large and complex organizations, and experience helping to advance solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges.
Dr. Aaliyah Samuel currently serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for State and Local Engagement in the Office of Communication and Outreach at the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Samuel was most recently a senior fellow and the first woman of color to be appointed in that role at the Center on the developing Child at Harvard Unive
Dr. Aaliyah Samuel currently serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for State and Local Engagement in the Office of Communication and Outreach at the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Samuel was most recently a senior fellow and the first woman of color to be appointed in that role at the Center on the developing Child at Harvard University and the executive vice president of Government Affairs and Partnerships at NWEA. Aaliyah is a bilingual executive leader with expertise from early childhood through higher education. Aaliyah is a former elementary special education teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Aaliyah has informed state policy agendas, assisted with developing cross systems approaches to develop policy solutions that support children and families and leading systems-level change. Prior to NWEA, Dr. Samuel was the first woman of color to serve as director of education at the National Governors Association (NGA). Aaliyah holds an undergraduate degree from Tuskegee University, a master’s from University of South Florida, and a specialist and doctorate degree from NOVA Southeastern.
Robert C. White, Jr. is an At-Large Member of the Council of the District of Columbia, Chair of
the Committee on Government Operations and Facilities, and re-appointed as Chair of the
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ (COG) Board of Directors.
In 2008, Robert went to the United States Congress to serve as Legislative Counsel t
Robert C. White, Jr. is an At-Large Member of the Council of the District of Columbia, Chair of
the Committee on Government Operations and Facilities, and re-appointed as Chair of the
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ (COG) Board of Directors.
In 2008, Robert went to the United States Congress to serve as Legislative Counsel to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. He served as a lead staffer on congressional oversight hearings related to DC and helped draft legislation to loosen Congress’ grip on the DC government and to give greater autonomy and independence to DC residents. View his remarks here.
Kenasha Paul is the Founder and CEO of The Black Professionals Network (“BPN”), which is a non-profit social learning organization with the mission to advance the economic and social capital of our career professionals. We guide our professionals along thriving pathways that expand their influence, knowledge, and networth.
BPN achieves it
Kenasha Paul is the Founder and CEO of The Black Professionals Network (“BPN”), which is a non-profit social learning organization with the mission to advance the economic and social capital of our career professionals. We guide our professionals along thriving pathways that expand their influence, knowledge, and networth.
BPN achieves its mission in part by providing programming, opportunities and connections. Individuals and companies choose BPN to form a collaborative network under the guiding principle “together each achieves more.”
Join a closed session for Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Chairs, Vice-Chairs, and leaders of Black alumni groups. This session invites the top two decision makers in a Black alumni group to meet with peers from around the country.
Discussions will be very interactive and will focus on some key questions like the following:
Join a closed session for Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Chairs, Vice-Chairs, and leaders of Black alumni groups. This session invites the top two decision makers in a Black alumni group to meet with peers from around the country.
Discussions will be very interactive and will focus on some key questions like the following:
As staff leaders, we are the relationship link between Black alumni leaders and their universities, and our role provides important connectivity in so many ways. Particularly now, when many institutions are focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, our work is more important than ever.
This will be a meaningful session that connects
As staff leaders, we are the relationship link between Black alumni leaders and their universities, and our role provides important connectivity in so many ways. Particularly now, when many institutions are focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, our work is more important than ever.
This will be a meaningful session that connects us and allows us to share our experiences and insight around the following:
No matter the phase of Black alumni efforts, we know that our work is so meaningful in engaging both Black alumni and students in the university experience while on campus and after graduation. Black alumni groups organize their work in many ways: reunions, formal associations, regional social groups, councils, committees, and national
No matter the phase of Black alumni efforts, we know that our work is so meaningful in engaging both Black alumni and students in the university experience while on campus and after graduation. Black alumni groups organize their work in many ways: reunions, formal associations, regional social groups, councils, committees, and national chapters. In many cases, our work is led by only a handful of dedicated volunteers! In this session, we'll feature Black alumni leaders from formal associations to walk through the journey of how they formalized their work over time. We'll discuss areas like the following:
True Inclusion is a student-led initiative committed to dismantling systems of oppression so that every student is valued and supported. In this session, they will present how they led the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at Honors College at Rutgers University and help students strategize how they can do the same on their campuses.
Black Professionals Network (BPN) is the fastest growing college-to-industry professional pathway organizations in the nation lined with access points, opportunities and community for black professionals; curating programs centered on expanding their network, professional development, and earning potential. Learn from Kenasha Paul, Found
Black Professionals Network (BPN) is the fastest growing college-to-industry professional pathway organizations in the nation lined with access points, opportunities and community for black professionals; curating programs centered on expanding their network, professional development, and earning potential. Learn from Kenasha Paul, Founder and CEO, how this network of 10,000 grew out of her work as a Black alumni leader at Florida International University. Special takeaways will focus on how to develop professional networks with our own Black alumni groups, councils, and associations.
We will design a community service initiative that all Black Alumni associations from universities across the country can participate in this year.
We will discuss ideas like the following:
If you have any ideas that you'd like to submit ahead of time, please contact us here.