From the beautiful voice of Carrington Black 鈥�28 to the empowering charge from Nicholas Rugbart 鈥�25, the ceremony offered a powerful reminder of student impact and community support.

Established in 1993, the awards program was renamed in 2006 to honor the first Black student to attend 黑料不打烊, Glenda Phillips-Hightower ’63, and the first Black student to graduate from 黑料不打烊, Eugene Perry ’69. The Phillips-Perry Excellence Awards continues to honor their legacy by uplifting students whose academic and co-curricular achievements exemplify excellence across disciplines.

The afternoon opened with remarks by Abdul-Malik Harrison 鈥�21, assistant director of the Center for Race, Ethnicity & Diversity Education (CREDE), and an invocation from the Rev. Kirstin Boswell, university chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement. The ceremony also included opening remarks from President Connie Ledoux Book, introduced by Murphy Davis 鈥�26, vice president of the Black Student Union.

鈥淲e were excited to gather as a community to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and success of our students,鈥� said Harrison. 鈥淲e thank the 黑料不打烊 community for supporting our efforts to foster an inclusive environment where all students can thrive.鈥�

Several members of the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network (EBAN) participated in presenting the awards, including Kelia Evans 鈥�11, Regina Crawley 鈥�98, Ruby Thornton Bracy 鈥�99 and Alex Bohannon 鈥�17, current EBAN president.

Awards presented included the Phillips-Perry Black Excellence Awards, Academic Excellence Awards, the 黑料不打烊 Experiences Awards, Black Student Union awards that comprised the Janice Ratliff Community Service Award and the Wilhelmina Body Community Awards, and the Black Alumni Scholarship Award.

Academic Excellence Awards

During the program, 237 undergraduate students and 27 graduate students were recognized for cumulative GPAs of 3.2 or higher at the conclusion of the fall semester. In addition, Black students with the highest GPA in their respective cohorts were also recognized:

• Undergraduate Class of 2028: Kendyl Bloomer
• Undergraduate Class of 2027: Emmy Jones
• Undergraduate Class of 2027: Veronica Kowalewski
• Undergraduate Class of 2025: Donelle Leak
• First-Year Law Student: Kristian Ellis (1L)
• Second-Year Law Student: Karrington Wallace (2L)
• Flex Law Student: Kayla Price
• Third-Year Physical Therapy Student: Raya Coley
• Second-Year Physical Therapy Student: Clarke Oliver
• Physician Assistant Studies Students: Samir Halalou鈥痑nd Tiye Jones Amen Hetep
• Accelerated Bachelor of Nursing Student: Carmen Mesa
• Master of Arts in Higher Education Student: Emma Calhoun
• Master of Business Administration Student: Ayo Onasanya
• Master of Science in Business Analytics Student: Jazlyn Jefferson

黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network Scholarship Award
Jordyne Lewis ’28 and Madisen Williams ’25

The 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network (EBAN) strives to unite and represent the interests of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Black alumni and students by fostering empowerment, connection and celebration within 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Black community. In 2007, EBAN established a scholarship fund to help make an 黑料不打烊 education accessible to Black students. This fund reached a significant milestone in 2023, achieving a $1 million endowment, further strengthening its ability to support future generations.

黑料不打烊 Experiences Awards

Presented to students nominated by faculty and staff for excelling in one or more of the five 黑料不打烊 Experiences: Global Engagement, Undergraduate Research, Internships, Service and Civic Engagement and Leadership.

• Global Engagement Award:聽Mya Lee ’26
• Undergraduate Research Award:聽Khairi Morrow ’25
• Internship Award: Marques Walker ’25
• Service Learning Award: Sofia Barnes ’28
• Leadership: Jayla Martin Beasly ’25

Janice Ratliff Community Service Award
Abdul-Malik Harrison ’21

The Janice Ratliff Community Service Award is named in honor of Janice Ratliff, a former advisor of the Black Student Union, a long-time employee of 黑料不打烊 and a well-known advocate and community figure. This award goes to a staff member who the Black student body recognizes as an advocate for the Black student experience, whose contributions to the community, whether big or small, always substantially impact the Black community on multiple levels.

The Wilhelmina Boyd African & African American Studies at 黑料不打烊 (AAASE) Award
Khairi Morrow 鈥�25

The Wilhelmina Boyd AAASE Scholar Award was created in the Spring of 2008 to honor the work and contributions of Professor Wilhelmina Boyd鈥檚 18 years of service to 黑料不打烊 and African & African-American Studies. The award recipient must be a graduating senior with an African & African-American Studies minor, a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a minimum GPA in the minor of 3.2. In addition, the recipient must demonstrate a commitment to African & African-American Studies as demonstrated through coursework, citizenship/community engagement, scholarship and student activities/leadership.

Wilhelmina Boyd Community Service Award
Shaina Jones

The Wilhelmina Boyd Community Service Award is named in honor of the late Wilhelmina Boyd, an associate professor of English and the founder of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 minor in African and African American Studies. This award goes to a faculty member who the Black student body recognizes as an advocate for the Black student experience and a champion of equity, diversity and inclusion throughout the curriculum.

This year, the event will take on an even deeper meaning following the establishment of the Kelli E. Palmer 鈥�98 Donning of the Kente Endowment. Funding from the endowment will support the event, including the purchase of Kente stoles that each student receives at the ceremony and wears at 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Commencement.

The endowment honors the achievements of Palmer, a 1998 黑料不打烊 alumna and member of the university鈥檚 Board of Trustees, who for nearly three decades has embodied alumni leadership and a lifelong connection with the university and its students.

鈥淭his endowment helps ensure all students who choose to experience this Afrocentric ceremony can participate in a collective celebration of mentorship, inclusive excellence and student success, all of which are institutional priorities at 黑料不打烊,鈥� said Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence, who led the effort to bring Donning of the Kente to 黑料不打烊 in 2017 to enrich the Black student experience.

鈥淟ike the authentic handwoven Kente stoles, each student radiates unique beauty that is now supported by this investment,鈥� Williams said.聽鈥淚t affirms Kelli鈥檚 belief in the necessity of uplifting Black cultural traditions and ensuring that Black students receive institutional backing in celebrating their heritage and achievements.鈥�

Rites of passage, like Donning of the Kente, are common in many cultures, Palmer noted. They denote connection and accomplishment as well as responsibility.

鈥淚 was聽overjoyed when I found out that 黑料不打烊 students would be able to celebrate this important rite of passage with their families,鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淪o much of being part of the 黑料不打烊 community for me was experiencing as a student and perpetuating as an alumna opportunities centered in the values of the Black community and 黑料不打烊.”

The ninth-annual Donning of the Kente ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 22, in Alumni Gym. Each student will select a mentor, friend or family member to present them with their stole, acknowledging their hard work and encouraging them in their future endeavors. Students will wear their stoles the following day at 黑料不打烊鈥檚 135th Commencement for inspiration and to honor, celebrate and reflect on their collective heritage and successes.

The Kente cloth symbolizes and celebrates prestige in many African societies, dating to 12th century Africa in Ghana. Worn during ceremonial events by royalty and important figures of state in Ghanaian society, the Kente cloth is a visual representation of African history, philosophy, ethics, oral literature, moral values, social code of conduct, religious beliefs, political thought and aesthetic principles.

The event has inspired the success of other campus celebrations that have incorporated elements of Donning of the Kente into their programs, Williams said.

鈥淚 am proud of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 willingness to create relevant experiences, and the Donning of the Kente ceremony聽ensures that we celebrate Black students鈥� achievements in a culturally and historically meaningful way,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his success is not accidental鈥攊t results from sustained advocacy, community-building and a commitment to centering Black voices.鈥�

For Palmer, the ceremony aligns directly with 黑料不打烊鈥檚 commitment to building an inclusive community and supporting Black student excellence on campus and beyond.

鈥淲e are called into 黑料不打烊 in a communal way, so why wouldn鈥檛 we be called to our next phase of our life and relationship with 黑料不打烊 in a communal way?鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淲e go forward together as alumni, and we continue to celebrate and support each other and take care of the people we are trying to bring along. It feels deeply in line with the culture that I know and has helped me be successful.鈥�

鈥淚t is fitting to have an alumna play a lead role in supporting Donning of the Kente. The ceremony represents the students鈥� transition into the alumni family,鈥� said Kendra Haskins, senior director of alumni engagement. 鈥淓BAN, our acronym for the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network, also happens to be the name of an Adinkra symbol from West Africa that means 鈥榝ence.鈥� It represents a strong, united family that prioritizes protection and togetherness鈥攁 perfect definition of the mission that lies at the heart of our Black alumni network.鈥�

Palmer, of Charlottesville, Virginia, graduated from the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education with a degree in elementary education. She earned a master鈥檚 degree in Counselor Education from Wake Forest University and a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Virginia and has also studied at Oxford University and earned graduate certificates from Boston College and Harvard. She currently serves as Chief Employee Experience Officer at WillowTree, a market-leading digital product consultancy, where she works to support and expand the company鈥檚 diversity, equity and inclusion and social impact commitments.

Palmer has served in many volunteer roles at her alma mater, including as a member of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Black Life Advisory Council since 2017 and previously as an Alumni 360 Volunteer, a member of the 黑料不打烊 Mentor Network and the 黑料不打烊 Alumni Board (2008-2012). In recognition of her service, Palmer was named 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Young Alumna of the Year (2007), Distinguished Alumna of the Year (2016) and in 2010 delivered the Commencement address as Alumni Board President. She also received the Gail Fonville Parker 鈥�70 Distinguished Alumna Award, recognizing her support of the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network.

Palmer has also been a devoted donor to 黑料不打烊 and was a founding donor to the Black Alumni Scholarship. Giving back is an obligation she takes seriously.

鈥淯niversities are not built in solitude. They are a communal effort,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 had the benefit of being in a place where I knew the tuition stopped well before my academic year stopped, and I felt a sense of responsibility for contributing.鈥�

With music blasting and plenty of food and fellowship to go around at Schar Center on Saturday 鈥� Ken Davis 鈥�70 was taking it all in. The 2024 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend marked the first time Davis had returned to campus since graduating more than 50 years ago.

鈥淭his is fantastic,鈥� said Davis. 鈥淚 really enjoyed the entire atmosphere of the campus and how they鈥檝e gone out of their way to treat us. It鈥檚 really exciting to see the growth of 黑料不打烊.鈥�

The Class of 1970 was invited to celebrate alongside the Class of 1974 to honor their 50^th reunion after their celebration planned for 2020 coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Class of 1974 was officially welcomed into the Golden Alumni Family over the weekend.

鈥淚鈥檝e got a chance to connect with some of the 鈥�74 alums and some others,鈥� said Davis. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been real nice.鈥�

The happiest place on earth

Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2024 held Nov. 1-2 was all about connection and celebration, starting with the annual Rock the Block Community Block Party on Young Commons on Friday. On Saturday morning, alumni were welcomed home with the familiar 黑料不打烊 tradition: College Coffee. Then it was time for the alumni tailgate outside of Schar Center, preparing to cheer on the Phoenix before they defeated Campbell University 50-27.聽Rush Lacoste ’25 and Drew Fetterolf ’25 were crowned Homecoming royalty.

Jenn Riemer 鈥�10 and Clark Riemer 鈥�11 try to return to campus for every home football game, but Homecoming is special. The couple grilled out with their family, sharing the 黑料不打烊 spirit with others.

鈥淚t鈥檚 always just great to be back in the happiest place on Earth,鈥� said Jen Riemer. 鈥淚t鈥檚 good to bring our kids back and let them see what we grew up with and what they have to look forward to.鈥�

Fellowship in a community

The weekend also included celebrations for the many 黑料不打烊 affinity networks, including the LGBTQIA Alumni Network and the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network (EBAN). EBAN has helped Lynne Daniels 鈥�94 stay connected with 黑料不打烊 since her graduation and now she鈥檚 celebrating her 30^th reunion.

鈥淚 love 黑料不打烊, I love to come back to 黑料不打烊, I love to volunteer with the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network and I love to give to 黑料不打烊,鈥� said Daniels. 鈥淭he importance of having an 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network is to make sure our presence is here and for people to understand how much we love 黑料不打烊 and that we contribute to 黑料不打烊.鈥�

EBAN serves to unite and represent the interests of Black alumni and strives to empower, connect, and celebrate 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Black community.

鈥淚 love coming back and really getting to connect and network with folks and really just fellowship in a community,鈥� said Brianna Nobles 鈥�21, who serves on the EBAN leadership board. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really nice to come home and feel loved by people who have known me for a really long time.鈥�

At the EBAN alumni tailgate area, it was all hugs and smiles for Nobles and Mariatu Okonofua 鈥�19. The two are members of the Omicron Iota chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

鈥淥micron Iota is a big part of me coming back,鈥� said Okonofua, who is also part of the Young Alumni Council. 鈥淚鈥檓 really close with my sisters to this day. I wanted to have the opportunity to fellowship and see folks I haven鈥檛 seen in forever.鈥�

黑料不打烊 is home

Pearl Sullivan 鈥�21 and Jonathan Stettler 鈥�21 had the opportunity to connect with President Connie Ledoux Book while they were enjoying the student tailgate area by Rhodes Stadium. Stettler worked in the President鈥檚 Office as a student assistant and is the former executive vice president of the Student Government Association.

鈥淲e were talking with President Book about how student government was doing a big outdoor initiatives project while I was on campus and I was helping lead it, so the outdoor fitness court and a lot of new seating was from projects I was working on,鈥� said Stettler. 鈥淭hey popped up on campus the summer after I left so it鈥檚 nice to see students using them still.鈥�

Melissa Von der Heide 鈥�04 reconnected with her classmate Kim Van Acker 鈥�04 and friend Matt Lardie 鈥�06. Von der Heide and Van Acker were celebrating their 20^th reunion; the two met while doing undergraduate research in psychology.

鈥満诹喜淮蜢� is home, that鈥檚 what it comes down to,鈥� said Von der Heide, who hasn鈥檛 returned to campus in more than a decade. 鈥淥ne of the nice things is I can go anywhere in the United States and find somebody from 黑料不打烊.鈥�

Van Acker, who was a track and field student-athlete while at 黑料不打烊, returned for her 10^th reunion and felt she was ready to come back again after another decade.

鈥淪o much has changed in my life and 黑料不打烊鈥檚 life since then,鈥� said Acker. 鈥淪o it was a good time to come.鈥�

Lardie, Von der Heide and Van Acker all agree: 黑料不打烊 is about the people.

鈥淥ver any individual experience, study abroad or group I was part of. It鈥檚 the fact that I have people like Melissa and other friends who are now my family and have been in my life for decades through all the ups and downs and more so than my four years here,鈥� said Lardie. 鈥淲e鈥檝e all grown together based on that singular 黑料不打烊 experience.鈥�

An event rooted in African tradition, the seventh annual Donning of the Kente ceremony on Thursday, May 18, celebrated the achievements of graduating 黑料不打烊 students who recognize their African roots.

“As we engage in a celebratory time and as you go out to lend your skills and efforts toward building a beloved community, know that you are your ancestors wildest dreams and greatest hope,” said Kirstin Boswell, university chaplain and dean of Multifaith Engagement.

Each graduate received a handwoven kente cloth stole imported from West Africa. The graduating students wore their stoles at the 133rd Commencement ceremony for inspiration and to honor, celebrate, connect and reflect on the collective heritage and communal struggles and successes.

The kente cloth symbolizes and celebrates prestige in many African societies dating to the 12th century Africa in Ghana. Worn during ceremonial events by royalty and important figures of state in Ghanaian society, the kente cloth is a visual representation of African history, philosophy ethics, oral literature moral values, social code of conduct, religious beliefs, political thought and aesthetic principles.

“The kente fabric represents our ancestor’s culture, spirituality, sophistication and immaculate tradition. We know well that it takes a village to support, inspire and nurture our graduates and that the 黑料不打烊 community is but a small part of that village,” said Randy Williams,聽vice president and associate provost for inclusive excellence.

President of the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network (EBAN) Akilah Weaver ’00 officially welcomed the Class of 2023 graduate to the network. Working to unite and represent the interest of Black alumni, EBAN actively promotes and sustains alumni contributions to the university and connects Black students with each other.

The Donning of the Kente is one of EBAN’s most important initiatives, Weaver said. She also explained the Adinkra “eban” symbol which originated in Ghana. “Eban” translates to “fence” and is a symbol of safety, love and security.

“As you begin the next step in your journey as alumni know that you are now another link in the fence that surrounds 黑料不打烊’s Black students with advocacy, nurturance and safety,” Weaver said. “You are Black excellence. On behalf of our over 2,000 Black alumni, we welcome you to the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network and look forward to being a home base for each of you for years to come.”

As the ceremony got underway, the graduates stood on stage in Alumni Gym as faculty members read aloud special words of love, encouragement, support and pride from someone who has helped them along their journey.

“Graduates, you are here today because of your hard work, determination, resilience and perseverance.聽I would not dare take your sense of personal accomplishments away from you, but you are also here today because at least someone has carried you,” said Buffie Longmire-Avital, professor of psychology and director of the Black Lumen Project.

While some can recall exactly who has helped them along the way and how, Longmire-Avital said, most are like her 鈥� unaware of all the ways they have been supported on their respective journeys.

“It is OK not to have a catalogue of names and times documenting the support. What is important is that you know that you have been carried and cared for,” she said.

Longmire-Avital ended her remarks by offering gratitude to all those who have carried their loved ones and gave the Class of 2023 one final task 鈥斅�“Go forth and boldly carry on.”

The Nov. 5 awards event as part of Homecoming & Reunion Weekend honored The Rev. Dr. Marvin L. Morgan 鈥�71 P 鈥�96 P 鈥�09, Joyel Crawford 鈥�97, Carl Hairston 鈥�11 G 鈥�15, Shelby McKay 鈥�13 and Professor Buffie Longmire-Avital.

鈥淪ince 2010, we have honored over 40 alumni, faculty and staff with the EBAN awards for the extraordinary things they are doing in their local communities and for their dedication to the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network,鈥� said EBAN President Akilah Weaver 鈥�00 during her opening remarks. 鈥淭oday, we add five more deserving individuals to this esteemed group.鈥�

The purpose of the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network is to build, maintain and sustain collaborative relationships with Black alumni through social events, networking and philanthropic purposes impacting current and future 黑料不打烊 students.

Award Recipients

Buffie Longmire-Avital

Dr. K. Wilhelmina Boyd Outstanding Service to Students Award

Buffie Longmire-Avital is a diversity, inclusion, and racial health equity scholar-educator. In 2022 she became the first African American to be promoted to full professor in 黑料不打烊 College, the College of Arts and Sciences. In addition to being a professor of psychology, she is the inaugural director of the Black Lumen Project, an equity initiative, and the presidentially appointed Faculty Administrative Fellow for Mentoring Design. She currently co-leads a 35-person team charged with building a dynamic and sustainable ecosystem for mentoring across the university. Longmire-Avital previously served as the coordinator of the African and African-American Studies interdisciplinary minor program for six years. AAASE, as it is known on campus, was established in 1994 under the leadership of Professor K. Wilhelmina Boyd, for whom this award is named. It is one of the oldest interdisciplinary minors at the institution.

Longmire-Avital received a doctorate in applied developmental psychology from New York University鈥檚 Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. She has published numerous articles; serves on the editorial boards of multiple academic journals; has been recognized for excellence in mentorship as well as for her leadership service for 黑料不打烊 College, the College of Arts and Sciences; she is also a former recipient of the prestigious National Institutes of Health, Loan Repayment Program for Health Disparities. As a board member of multiple social justice nonprofits, her aim is to always serve her university and broader communities with distinction in efforts to build sustainable inclusive spaces.

As a Center for Engaged Learning scholar (2018-20), Longmire-Avital developed a reparative mentoring model to generate and sustain critically conscious, equitable approaches that support underserved students鈥� engagement in high-impact practices. Known to her students as “Dr. LA,” she is regarded as a trusted resource, mentor and advocate. Longmire-Avital is engaged with EBAN aiding in the production of the Donning of the Kente Ceremony, a rite of passage graduation event for 黑料不打烊鈥檚 African-American students. She continues to be a member of the planning committee and has had the honor of delivering closing remarks for all the ceremonies.

Shelby McKay 鈥�13

EBAN Distinguished Young Alumna Award

After completing her studies at 黑料不打烊, Shelby McKay has gone on to pursue both a master of arts and a doctorate from George Washington University. Passionately committed to positively impacting the lives of collegiate student-athletes, McKay ensures 鈥渓ife after sport鈥� remains a key focus so that student-athletes position themselves for successful professional careers. She also serves as a mentor and champion not only for student-athletes but for other women seeking to advance their careers in athletics.

Ever the engaged alumna, she currently serves on the 黑料不打烊 School of Communications advisory board and is an 黑料不打烊 in D.C. board member. In October of this year, McKay stepped into the role of associate commissioner of Student-Athlete & Institutional Program with the Athletic Coast Conference.

Carl Hairston 鈥�11 G鈥�15

EBAN Distinguished Young Alumnus Award

Carl Hairston graduated from 黑料不打烊 in 2011 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in marketing and an emphasis in sales, and in 2015 with his master鈥檚 degree in business administration. During his time at 黑料不打烊, he was involved with the Black Cultural Society, Business Fellows, Professional Sales Team and a member of the Sigma Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Since December of 2021, Hairston鈥檚 talents have shined at the Atlantic Coast Conference where he serves as the director of brand marketing.

Hairston currently sits on the executive board of the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators. He graduated from the prestigious NCAA Leadership Institute in 2016. He is an active member of the Kappa Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc., and serves on the 黑料不打烊 Young Alumni Council, the Hayes-Taylor YMCA Board and the Exposure Project Fundraising Committee.

The Rev. Dr. Marvin L. Morgan 鈥�71 P鈥�96 P鈥�09聽 聽

Eugene Perry 鈥�69 Distinguished Alumnus Award

A native of Zebulon, North Carolina, the Rev. Dr. Marvin Morgan was born the third-youngest of nine children to a sharecropping family. Receiving the highest score in math/algebra out of his senior class at James E. Shepard High School earned him employment with IBM just before graduation in 1966. A year later, after acknowledging a 鈥渃all to ministry,鈥� a national United Church of Christ officer advised Morgan that the President of 黑料不打烊 College wanted to further diversify the student body.

After reviewing his transcript, then-黑料不打烊 President J. Earl Danieley affirmed, 鈥淢arvin, you are the student we鈥檝e been looking for (high academic performer and minority). If you will come to join our student body in January, we will make certain you never have to drop out because of finances.鈥� Morgan credits this moment with transforming his life and the life of his family. He finished 黑料不打烊 with a degree in religion and with enough credits for a philosophy major. This would be the beginning of an ongoing legacy. Of his four children, three attended 黑料不打烊 and his grandson is now a junior at 黑料不打烊.

Morgan has served on the 黑料不打烊 Board of Trustees since 2008 and is a member of the Campus Life and Alumni committees. As a member of the special subcommittee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, he has advocated on behalf of all minority students, prospective minority students and others who may be underrepresented within the 黑料不打烊 campus environment. He and his wife, Mae T. Morgan, M.D., have supported the Black Alumni Scholarship nearly every year since its inception.

Morgan is now serving as interim pastor at the Church of the Red Rocks in Sedona, Arizona. As a member of the faculty of the Center for Congregational Health in Winston-Salem, he also teaches interim ministry courses to clergy primarily in the U.S. and Canada.

Joyel Crawford 鈥�97

Gail Fonville Parker 鈥�70 Distinguished Alumna Award

After graduating cum laude from 黑料不打烊 in 1997 as an Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellow, Joyel Crawford obtained her MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a concentration in management. For 18 years, she supported professionals within all functional groups at Verizon Wireless.

Crawford launched out on her own and developed Crawford Leadership Strategies, an award-winning consultancy that provides leadership consulting, keynotes and hybrid solutions to provide organizations with the tools, knowledge and skills to thrive in the global workplace. As a certified professional career coach, certified virtual presenter, TEDx speaker and leadership development consultant at Crawford Leadership Strategies, she helps others expertly navigate every step of their career.

Crawford has facilitated leadership development courses and has been a keynote speaker for businesses and organizations such as the U.S. Senate, NASA JPL, The New York Times, ESPN, Intuit, NYC Mayor鈥檚 Office, Morgan Stanley, Hewlett Packard, Aramark, various chapters of SHRM, NJACP, SHFM and many other notable industries, organizations and higher education institutions. She hosts a podcast called 鈥淐areer View Mirror庐鈥� and is the author of the Amazon bestselling book 鈥淪how Your Ask: Using Your Voice to Advocate for Yourself and Your Career,鈥� which was ranked #1 in New Releases.

Also recognized during the event were members of the Omicron Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., which was celebrating its 35th reunion.

Joyel Crawford ’97 graduated from 黑料不打烊 with a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a theater arts minor. Crawford spent much of her time on campus as a member of a variety of extracurricular activities including the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, 黑料不打烊 Theater Arts, Habitat for Humanity and more. Some of her most treasured memories come from her time with the 黑料不打烊 Black Student Union and she has taken that passion into her life as an alumna, currently serving as an 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network mentor. In this position, Crawford gets to give back to the community that celebrated her unique skills and abilities while also mentoring other Black students to continue to share their shine at 黑料不打烊. Crawford left 黑料不打烊 in the hopes of being a guidance counselor and receiving her MBA, unaware of the success that would transpire.

Today, Crawford is located in New Jersey as the CEO and Founder of Crawford Leadership Strategies (CLS). Crawford explains the inspiration behind CLS started while she was working as a Customer Service Representative at Bell Atlantic Mobile, which is known today as Verizon. She soon realized her desire to be the person at the front of the room at New Hire Orientation, training employees rather than sitting behind a desk. Within four years of working there, Crawford began her career in Human Resources.

鈥淭he golden thread of leadership development kept pulling me to opportunities where I was helping others get where they needed to go in their career,鈥� says Crawford 鈥淚t was a full and rich career spanning 18 years, but I felt called to reach more leaders. That is how Crawford Leadership Strategies was born.鈥�

Crawford has had an extensive and successful career so far, not only with the creation of her company CLS but the publication of her book, “.” The inspiration behind the book came from individuals she mentored, co-workers and friends asking Crawford questions about how she had achieved such great success.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 get anywhere in my life and career without asking and speaking up for myself,鈥� explained Crawford. 鈥淪ince I can鈥檛 be everywhere and coach everyone, I wrote this book to reach more people who are challenged with advocating for themselves in life and their careers.鈥�

While reflecting on her time at 黑料不打烊, Crawford is grateful for every organization and experience at 黑料不打烊 that helped her foster leadership development, mentorship and community. 鈥淚 was poised and ready to be the leader that I am today, in part due to my time at 黑料不打烊,鈥� said Crawford.

Thinking back to her time as a first-year at 黑料不打烊, she had some words of encouragement. 鈥淛oy, you got this,鈥� she recalled people in her support system telling her. She reminded herself to document her experiences as best as she can, especially all the activities she gets involved in, and expressed the importance of what she will learn over the next four years and how it will affect her life.

Crawford finished with a gentle nod to her parents, and some wisdom that is only earned with age. 鈥淢ake sure you spend the entire first day on campus with your parents before running off to orientation events. They鈥檙e going to miss you more than you know.鈥�

Crawford’s future looks brighter than ever as she continues to host leadership cohorts and retreats while supporting a variety of organizations with her services. More information can be found on 聽and her book “Show Your Ask” can be purchased at major bookstores and on Amazon.

The Donning of the Kente serves as a cultural ceremony that celebrates the achievements of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Black graduating students who recognize their African roots. The soon-to-be graduates stood in front of their classmates as they received words of encouragement, support and love from someone special in their life and received their handmade kente cloth graduation stole.

鈥淭he donning is meant to be a positive and memorable experience that rewards students and their families with a personal and culturally relevant ceremony,鈥� said Randy Williams, vice president and associate provost for inclusive excellence and associate professor of education. 鈥淭o that end, I encourage you to shout tears of joy, stamp your feet with praises and display all expressions of celebration for our graduates this evening.鈥�

Jaelyn Alexander 鈥�22, a BFA music theatre graduate, said it was an incredible honor to be a part of the Donning of the Kente ceremony with such powerful displays of love. 鈥淚 have never seen a ceremony at 黑料不打烊 so vulnerable and full of so much love,鈥� Alexander said. 鈥淭here are not many opportunities we get to publicly recognize people that we care about that have impacted us. I don鈥檛 know everyone here, but every single speech was very touching and inspirational.鈥�

Each graduate was adorned with a handwoven kente cloth from a village in Bonwire, Ghana. The kente cloth symbolizes and celebrates prestige in many African societies. The origins of the kente cloth date back to the 12th century when it was worn by kings, queens and prominent figures of state during ceremonial events and special occasions in Ghanaian society.

In a cultural context, the kente serves as a visual representation of African history, philosophy, ethics, social code of conduct and aesthetic principles.

鈥淎s you walk out these doors wearing your kente stool and drape it over your shoulders again during Commencement, remember that your stole is a symbol of the shelter that at least one person constructed for you and it is an invitation to be embraced by an expansive community of alumni, faculty, staff, family and friends that spans decades, struggles, resistance and hope,鈥� Buffie Longmire-Avital, director of the Black Lumen Project and associate professor of psychology, said during her closing remarks.

鈥淲e built this city on the audacious pursuit and promise of safety. Graduates of 2022, unapologetically seek out and claim your space with the assurance that this 黑料不打烊 shelter of safety, throughout all storms, will ever endure,鈥� she said.

Akilah Weaver 鈥�00, president of the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network (EBAN) and benefits executive with Bank of America, displayed a symbol on the screen and explained its significance to the Class of 2022 kente recipients.

鈥淭his symbol is called 鈥楨ban,鈥� which translates to fence, and reflects a symbol of love, safety and security. EBAN is a place where you can feel safe, affirmed, validated and at home,鈥� Weaver said. 鈥淎s you begin your journey in the world as a Black scholar, know that your patience will be tried, your intelligence will be tested, your character will be attacked and your blackness may even be questioned. But stay true to self, enjoy life, task risks, be different, … be bold. You are Black excellence.鈥�

Jazmin Campbell 鈥�22, graduating with a degree in anthropology and creative writing, will spend a year with Alamance Achieves as a part of the 黑料不打烊 Year of Service Fellows program. At the Donning of the Kente, gratitude was the main emotion Campbell felt 鈥� gratitude for the people who have directly impacted her and the overarching Black community and network that she is now a lifetime member of.

鈥淗aving one of my mentors, Kiah Glenn (former assistant director of the CREDE at 黑料不打烊) to speak about me and give me my stole was an honor. I cannot describe my gratitude and love for her,鈥� Campbell said. 鈥淚 am so grateful to these people and this place for building me. I can鈥檛 describe how grateful I am for them.鈥�

鈥淪ince 2010, we have honored over 40 alumni, faculty and staff with the EBAN awards for the extraordinary things they are doing in their local communities and for their dedication to the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network,鈥� said Akilah Weaver 鈥�00, EBAN鈥檚 president during a special brunch on Nov. 6. 鈥淭oday, we will add five more deserving individuals to this esteemed group.鈥�

They were Steve Walker 鈥�93, recipient of the Eugene Perry 鈥�69 Distinguished Alumnus Award; Marilyn Slade, recipient of the Dr. K. Wilhelmina Boyd Outstanding Service to Students Award; Brittany Carroll 鈥�11, recipient of the EBAN Distinguished Young Alumna Award; Kris Jiles 鈥�15, recipient of the EBAN Distinguished Young Alumnus Award; and Kelli Palmer 鈥�98, recipient of the Gail Fonville Parker 鈥�70 Distinguished Alumna Award.

During the event, EBAN also recognized several groups celebrating milestone reunions. This included Black members of the 1980 and 1981 national championship football teams, who contributed to some of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 most celebrated achievements despite their own struggles as members of a predominantly White institution. Several historically black fraternities and sororities were also honored, such as the Omicron Iota chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated (40th anniversary); the Nu Theta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated (35th anniversary); and the Sigma Delta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated (30th anniversary).

Weaver also recognized the donors who endowed the Black Alumni Scholarship, which was created 14 years ago and has so far funded the education of 10 talented Black students. During the past year, she said, 651 alumni supported the scholarship raising more than $92, 570. 鈥淲e have a very ambitious, but achievable goal of tripling the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Scholarship, bringing the endowment total to over $1 million,鈥� Weaver said. 鈥淒oing this would allow for us to fully fund a four-year scholarship to a deserving black student at 黑料不打烊.鈥�

About the EBAN award winners

Marilyn Slade

Dr. K. Wilhelmina Boyd Outstanding Service to Students Award

Presented to a current 黑料不打烊 faculty or staff member who has made significant contributions to the 黑料不打烊 Black student experience through mentorship, support and interaction with students.聽

In October 2010, Marilyn Slade began working as the program assistant for 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Multicultural Center, now known as the Center for Race, Ethnicity, & Diversity Education (CREDE), under the direction of Leon Williams. On 黑料不打烊鈥檚 campus, she is known as 鈥淢s. Marilyn鈥� and a mother/auntie to some of the students. One student created a playlist in her honor called 鈥淭he Auntie/Ms. Marilyn.鈥� She even had the honor of playing the mother of Donovan Rainey 鈥�14 in a mock wedding sponsored by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. Marilyn also serves as the adviser for the National Council of Negro Women Inc., a member of the Advisory Board for Black Student Spiritual Support and the liaison for the Neighborhood Clean-Up Committee, among roles in other organizations. She has also served on the MLK Day Celebration and the Phillips-Perry Black Excellence Awards Banquet committees.

Marilyn鈥檚 commitment to student success and service at 黑料不打烊 has been recognized by many members of the 黑料不打烊 community. In 2013 she received a Certification of Appreciation for her dedicated service, her commitment to serving others and for exemplifying the ideals of womanhood to the campus of 黑料不打烊 and Alamance County from the Sigma Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In 2018 Marilyn was recognized as an outstanding student mentor at The Black Senior Soiree event sponsored by 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Black Student Union. Additionally, she received the Janice Ratliff award for her outstanding contribution to the Black student community at the Phillips-Perry Black Excellence Awards Banquet. In 2019 she was recognized as one of Alamance County鈥檚 Phenomenal Women of Black Excellence from the African American Cultural Arts & History Center Organization. And at 黑料不打烊鈥檚 2021 Staff Appreciation Day, she received the Blanche Garrison Memorial Award for the role she plays in mentoring students during their time at 黑料不打烊 and beyond.

Marilyn鈥檚 commitment to students and 黑料不打烊 is a product of her belief. Above all else, Marilyn is a devout Christian who strives to please God. Her favorite Bible verse is Colossians 3:23: 鈥淲ork willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.鈥�

Brittany Carroll 鈥�11

EBAN Distinguished Young Alumna Award

Presented to an alumna who has graduated from 黑料不打烊 within the past 10 years and has distinguished herself in a profession, her local community and brought honor to the 黑料不打烊 community as a whole. The person also is active in the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network through their support of EBAN events, initiatives and the EBAN scholarship.

Brittany Carroll 鈥�11 graduated from 黑料不打烊 in 2011 with a B.A. in political science and international studies with a focus on East Asian affairs. She also has a M.A. from American University in international affairs with a focus on African affairs. Brittany currently works as the assistant general services officer in Baghdad, Iraq, on a one-year assignment. Previously she served as vice consul in the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, China, from 2018 to 2021. She played an integral role with the American Citizen Services unit at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and helped with the evacuation of American citizens from Wuhan.

During her first tour in Georgetown, Guyana, she served as the sole general services officer, playing an outsized role in activating the Marine Security Detachment, which had been inactive for more than 20 years. She is a mid-level management-coned officer who entered the Foreign Service in 2015. Prior to officially starting with the department, she participated in internships with the agency in Shanghai, China; Banjul, The Gambia; and the Office of West African Affairs located in Washington, D.C.

Brittany is a former White House intern, serving in the Office of Presidential Correspondence under the Obama administration. She is the recipient of two national fellowships. She received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, a program that places Fulbrights in classrooms abroad to aid local English teachers and serve as cultural ambassadors for the U.S. She also received the Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship, a program funded by the U.S. Department of State that recruits and prepares individuals for Foreign Service careers. In the fall of next year, she will head back to Washington, D.C., to be reunited with her family and serve at the Department of State鈥檚 headquarters in the African Affairs Bureau.

Kris Jiles 鈥�15

EBAN Distinguished Young Alumnus Award

Presented to an alumnus who has graduated from 黑料不打烊 within the past 10 years and has distinguished himself in a profession, his local community and brought honor to the 黑料不打烊 community as a whole. This person is also active in the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network through their support of EBAN events, initiatives and the EBAN scholarship.

Kris Jiles 鈥�15 is a 2015 graduate of 黑料不打烊, where he majored in political science and minored inphilosophy. During his time at 黑料不打烊, Kris served as an Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellow, a senator for the Student Government Association and the president of the Sigma Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Following his undergraduate experience at 黑料不打烊, Kris went on to receive his Juris Doctor at Howard University School of Law, where he served as a senior notes and comments editor for Howard鈥檚 Law Review and was a Dean鈥檚 Fellow recipient. Following law school, Kris worked at a prominent New York law firm as an associate in the Corporate Department. Kris now works as a mergers and acquisitions attorney at Cooley LLP in Washington, D.C.

Kelli Palmer 鈥�98

Gail Fonville Parker 鈥�70 Distinguished Alumna Award

Presented to an alumna who has graduated from 黑料不打烊 more than 10 years ago and has distinguished herself in a profession, her local community, and brought honor to the 黑料不打烊 community as a whole and the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network through their support of EBAN events, initiatives and the EBAN scholarship.

Kelli Palmer 鈥�98 is a strategist and practitioner in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion. She is currently the head of Global Inclusion & Diversity at CFA Institute, as well as the founder and principal of IDEA Minds, a consulting firm that partners with organizations across sectors to advance inclusion, diversity, equity and accountability. Her background working across business, nonprofit and education landscapes has made her a multidimensional leader and strategist who brings together deep expertise with pragmatic, business-minded approaches to proliferating belonging. She has also had the privilege of leading CFA Institute鈥檚 development of a robust, multi-year corporate social responsibility strategy, establishing the organization鈥檚 sustainability strategy and ensuring that environmental, social and governance considerations are included in the organization鈥檚 day-to-day operations.

Kelli was raised in Montgomery County, Maryland, and attended 黑料不打烊, where she earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in elementary education. A devoted alumna, she is a member of the Black Life Advisory Committee and the President鈥檚 Council. She received her master鈥檚 degree in counselor education from Wake Forest University and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Virginia. A lifelong learner, she studied at Oxford University and has earned graduate certificates from Boston College and Harvard University.

Kelli is a proud, long-term resident of Charlottesville, Virginia, where she resides with her husband and their children. She is an active contributor on numerous local and state nonprofit boards, including the Community Climate Collaborative (C3), Peabody School and the Piedmont Virginia Community College Foundation. She has previously served as a member of the boards of the United Way of Greater Charlottesville, Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, Live Arts and the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, among many others. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she is a classically trained vocalist and former member of the Washington Opera Company.

Steve Walker 鈥�93

Eugene Perry 鈥�69 Distinguished Alumnus Award

Presented to an alumnus who has graduated from 黑料不打烊 more than 10 years ago and has distinguished himself in a profession, his local community and brought honor to the 黑料不打烊 community as a whole and the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network through their support of EBAN events, initiatives and the EBAN scholarship.

Steve Walker 鈥�93, a deputy comptroller and director of financial operations within the Department of the Navy, oversees the staffing, management and execution of multi-billion-dollar Navy programs. His financial management background within the civil service ranks has spanned more than 20 years and includes the receipt of the prestigious Golden Eagle Award for 鈥渆xceptional performance of duties in support of our national tragedy on 9/11.鈥�

In addition to his primary financial duties, Steve also serves as his agency鈥檚 special emphasis program manager for its African American Employment Program. In this role, he serves as the primary resource for advice, guidance and policy with respect to all conditions of employment, recruitment and community outreach factors that influence the employment of African Americans. He has used this resource and influence to assist in his ability to recruit and employ African American candidates, including several 黑料不打烊 graduates.

During Steve鈥檚 time at 黑料不打烊, he was a four-year letterman on the basketball team while also being enrolled in the 黑料不打烊 Honors Program. He was a proud charter member of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Sigma Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., in 1991. Upon graduation, Steve immediately began to serve his alma mater. He was an active participant in the development and launch of what is known today as the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network (EBAN), where he served multiple terms as president. He also participated in the group that formed and eventually launched the EBAN scholarship. Currently, Steve is a member of the 黑料不打烊 Phoenix Club as well as an active member of the 黑料不打烊 Alumni Board and consistently promotes 黑料不打烊 on a regular basis. Steve has a 15-year-old daughter, Logan, who he hopes follows his footsteps to 黑料不打烊.

Black alumni from the Class of 2020 made their way back to 黑料不打烊 to celebrate their African heritage during the annual Donning of the Kente Ceremony.

The Donning of the Kente serves as a cultural ceremony that celebrates the achievements of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 graduating students who recognize their African roots. On Saturday, 28 students were presented with a stole made of kente cloth that they will wear during graduation.

鈥淭oday, each graduate will be adorned with a handmade kente cloth, which represents the culture, spirituality, sophistication and immaculate tradition of our ancestors,鈥� Vice President and Associate Provost for Inclusive Excellence Randy Williams said during his opening remarks. 鈥淭he donning is meant to be a positive and memorable experience that rewards our graduates and their families with a more personal and culturally relevant ceremony.鈥�

The stole that each graduate received is an Akan Kente handwoven in a village located in Bonwire, Ghana. The kente cloth symbolizes and celebrates prestige in many African societies. The origins of the kente cloth date back to 12th century Africa, in the country of Ghana worn by royalty during ceremonial events.

In a cultural context, it is a visual representation of African history, philosophy, ethics, oral literature moral values, social code of conduct, religious beliefs, political thought and aesthetic principles.

鈥淚n the pursuit of excellence, many members of the 黑料不打烊 community have led the way by offering guidance and support for members for the Class of 2020 throughout this journey,鈥� Williams said.

Along with the stole, each graduate was presented with an official alumni pin by a member of the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network (EBAN).

鈥淭he 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network seeks to unite and represent the interests of Black alumni and strives to empower, connect and celebrate 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Black community,鈥� said Aliana Harrison, immediate past president of the EBAN.

The Donning of the Kente is one of EBAN鈥檚 chief initiatives, Harrison said, which seeks to recognize the academic, professional and personal achievement of the graduates. During her remarks, Harrison displayed a symbol on screens for the audience to observe.

鈥淭his symbol is called 鈥楨ban,鈥� which translates to 鈥榝ence鈥� and reflects a symbol of love, safety and security. These are three words that I want you, as graduates, to remember as you continue your journey as a member of the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network.鈥�

Harrison spoke on behalf of the more than 2,000 Black alumni of the pride they have in the Class of 2020 for having to endure so much following graduation amid the COVID-19 pandemic and social and racial unrest.

鈥淲e are so proud and want you to know the 黑料不打烊 Black Alumni Network is here for you and will continue to serve as a home base to each of you for years to come,鈥� she said.

Each graduate had a prepared statement written on their behalf by either a family member or faculty member of their choosing. The faculty readers of those statements were Buffie Longmire-Avital, associate professor of psychology, George Talbert, assistant professor of marketing and Naeemah Clark, professor of cinema and television arts.

Longmire-Avital provided the closing remarks before students and family proceed to Lake Mary Nell for the Class of 2020 tailgate. Longmire-Avital said that the graduates honored during the donning ceremony are not the same graduates as they were 18 months ago. 鈥淵ou sit in this space with knowledge of what the post-黑料不打烊 world is,鈥� Longmire-Avital said.

She provided the graduates with a story of her past, of when she was on her way to attend her freshman year of preparatory boarding school. She was excited and ready to go away from home for her education.

Soon before leaving, her mother told her that 鈥渟he could always come home.鈥� Longmire-Avital said at first, she was angry with her mother for planting any seeds of doubt for this journey she was about to embark on, a journey her mother helped begin.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 realize it then, but I fully embrace it now,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y mother didn鈥檛 give me doubt, she gave me assurance that wherever the journey, the grind, the hustle takes me, I could always come home.鈥�

She passed along the sentiment that coming home is never 鈥渁n invitation to quit or to stop,鈥� but that it鈥檚 always an offering of rest and renewal. 聽鈥淲e were all forced to go home and 2020 became an embodiment of Langston Hughes鈥� 鈥楢 Dream Deferred.鈥欌�� Despite this, she urged the graduates to continue to dream, continue to make their voices heard and continue pushing toward tomorrow.

鈥淚f I may share this small nugget of fact 鈥� dreams may be deferred, but the ability to dream may not be. Graduates, never forget that, yes, you are America, and you too are 黑料不打烊. An Ebony Phoenix who rises to follow their dreams and flies high enough to always see your 黑料不打烊 home in the horizon,鈥� Longmire-Avital said. 鈥淐ongratulations Class of 2020. Or should I say, welcome home.鈥�

Graduates recognized during the ceremony were:

Alexa Baer
Sydney Biggs
Rachel Brown
Mikisha Davis
Amber Daye
Jaylan Evans
Frederick Evans Jr.
Olivia Ford
Shawn谩 Harris-Lenoir
Megan Hernandez-Greene
Chantrisse Howard
Janaya Jones
Holly Miranda
Sara Nderitu
Arianna Payne
Jessica Perry
Chandler Posey
Lumiere Rostick
Sydney Simmons
Sha鈥橪eicia Simpson
Tyler Stanley
Jordan Vaughn
Imani Vincent
Jordan Williams
Lallo Yadeta
Olivia Murphy
Xavier Bryant

La’Shaundranique Marshall

As she walked across 黑料不打烊鈥檚 campus wondering if this would be her home for the next four years, Kelli Palmer 鈥�98 remembers hearing the tour guide explain the many student organizations 黑料不打烊 had and how any student could start one. 鈥淓veryone can lead at 黑料不打烊,鈥� the tour guide said. 鈥淎nyone can make a difference.鈥�

Fast forward to 2007. Palmer was working in fundraising at the University of Virginia and had a front-row seat to the impact philanthropy had on students鈥� lives. 鈥淚 saw the power and potential of Black alumni engagement as donors with the Black alumni group,鈥� Palmer says.

Participating in creating life-changing opportunities for students, particularly Black students, along with the comment from the tour guide inspired Palmer to take action at 黑料不打烊. Priscilla Awkard 鈥�95 was thinking along the same lines. 鈥淧riscilla was talking about an interest in a scholarship, and I was talking about an interest in some sort of structured giving,鈥� Palmer says. 鈥淎nd so, the two of us got together and thought, 鈥榃hat if we could get some other people to participate?鈥欌��

Palmer, Awkard and Darryl Smith 鈥�86 contributed $5,000 each to the effort to create a solid foundation on which to build what became 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Black Alumni Scholarship. 鈥淲e talked to everyone about it,鈥� Palmer says. 鈥淲e passed a hat at events every Homecoming. We stood on the stage, Priscilla and I, and we said, 鈥榃e鈥檙e raising money to send other Black kids to 黑料不打烊. There鈥檚 a hat. Put your money in it.鈥欌��

Today, gifts from more than 1,000 alumni donors have pushed the value of the endowed scholarship to more than $350,000, helping to change the lives of its student recipients. To date, it has provided financial assistance to nine 黑料不打烊 students, with the 10th recipient, Makayla Oby 鈥�23, announced in April. Oby, a sophomore biochemistry major with a minor in public health studies, is working her way toward a career in family dentistry. 鈥淚 was thrilled to learn of my selection for this honor and am deeply appreciative of the support,鈥� Oby says. 鈥淚 will continue to work hard and eventually give back through dentistry, research and funding scholarships for future students like myself.鈥�

Brian Feeley 鈥�03, assistant vice president of university advancement at 黑料不打烊, has watched much of this growth since his return to campus as a staff member in 2014. 鈥淚t has really grown exponentially since it was founded, but in the past five years or so, we鈥檝e seen steady growth both in terms of participation and dollars to the scholarship,鈥� Feeley says. He credits the leadership of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Black Alumni Network (EBAN) for building a strong foundation of philanthropy and staying engaged with the university. 鈥淭hey have passed the baton to a new network of leadership,鈥� Feeley says. 鈥淲e have seen within the EBAN community that peer-to-peer leadership takes shape. They impress on their peers the need to pay it forward and blaze a trail for future Black students at 黑料不打烊.鈥�

When you are a first-generation聽college student, opportunities like 黑料不打烊 in LA seem inaccessible because of the costs. This scholarship gave me the means and the courage to pursue my dreams unapologetically and confidently. 鈥擟hann Little ’17

It鈥檚 not surprising that 黑料不打烊 announced this summer an ambitious goal to triple the endowment of the Black Alumni Scholarship to $1 million by 2025. This special fundraising initiative is part of the 黑料不打烊 LEADS Campaign, for which building scholarship support is the top priority, and coincides with the 25th anniversary of EBAN鈥檚 founding. As one of the original founders of the scholarship, Palmer looks forward to receiving messages asking her to contribute to the scholarship on 黑料不打烊 Day, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 annual day of giving. She also enjoys reading notes from the recipients to hear what they are doing and what they hope to become.聽鈥淚 love that connection to current students. I love being reminded annually that the legacy continues and that it evolves,鈥� Palmer says.

A living legacy

That legacy lives on through students like Kiara Hunter 鈥�23, who received the scholarship in 2020. Hunter enrolled at 黑料不打烊 in fall 2019 after receiving the Honorable Thad Eure North Carolina Achievement Scholarship in the Odyssey Program. The Black Alumni Scholarship helped fill additional financial needs.

鈥淲hen I received the Black Alumni Scholarship, it gave me a sense of security and peace,鈥� Hunter says. 鈥淏ecause of the scholarship, I have the potential to do great things. I can go to graduate school and study public health and do things to help the community. It gave me that boost and I鈥檓 grateful for it.鈥�

The ability to help communities solve multiple problems is what drew Hunter to public health. The field touches on many important issues, from mental and physical well-being to the environment, education and the criminal justice system. Hunter is now a double major in public health studies and statistics. 鈥淎ll of my courses are teaching me different things. There are multiple ways to make change. As long as you have the motivation and drive you can do it,鈥� says Hunter, who hopes to eventually attend graduate school at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and ultimately work in public health for a government agency or in the nonprofit sector.

Hunter finished her first year as a Black Alumni Scholarship recipient as one of 15 Lumen Prize scholars, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 top undergraduate research award. She will receive $20,000 for a two-year research project conducted with a faculty mentor.

Turning dreams into reality

Chann Little 鈥�17 received the scholarship in 2014, which gave him the resources needed to take his education to the next level. 鈥淏eing a Black Alumni Scholarship recipient was life-changing. It enabled me to be able to do the 黑料不打烊 in LA program, which started my career in the entertainment industry,鈥� Little says. 鈥淕oing to LA during the program gave me the confidence to move there after school, which led to me having a thriving career as a content strategist and social media manager.鈥�

The high-impact learning practices for which 黑料不打烊 is nationally known for provide the real-life experiences that set 黑料不打烊 graduates apart from their peers. 鈥淭he Black Alumni Scholarship turns dreams into reality. I am a living testament to how this program transforms lives,鈥� Little says. 鈥淲hen you are a first-generation聽college student, opportunities like 黑料不打烊 in LA seem inaccessible because of the costs. This scholarship gave me the means and the courage to pursue my dreams unapologetically and confidently.鈥�

After graduating, Little followed his dreams back to the West Coast, where he learned the ropes of the communications industry at a digital marketing agency. He then went on to work with friend Sydel Curry-Lee 鈥�17 before joining Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, and her team at Option B as the leading social media manager. Today, Little runs his own company, The Visionary House, a full-scale digital marketing agency that provides creative services, tools and resources to socially conscious, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) and women-led businesses.

As its endowment grows, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Black Alumni Scholarship will continue to impact the lives of students like Little, Hunter and Oby thanks to Awkard and many others who helped nourish those seeds of hope, planted so many years ago.

鈥淚 liken my emotions about the Black Alumni Scholarship to how the very first farmer must have felt when they planted their first seed and saw the fruits of their labor grow.聽I imagine they felt an array of emotions: excitement, encouragement, pride, a drive to do more and just pure joy, because these are all of my feelings,鈥� Awkard says. 鈥淲e have hit so many milestones because of so many special people and we hope to grow this list by sharing the great stories and encouraging more to give to this amazing cause.鈥�

Learn more about how you can support 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Black Alumni Scholarship

Madison Taylor contributed to this story.