President Walsh.
Pillars & Priorities Page 12
Now Starring: Tammi Mac ’94 Page 24
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Proceeds benefit United Negro College Fund Scholarships for Bennett College students. For registration information, contact Yolande Johnson at (336) 517-1592 or at yjohnson@bennett.edu.
Alumnae Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Pillars and Priorities, President Walsh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Establish Your Legacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 New Trustees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Now Starring, Tammi Mac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Hidden Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Page 12 Pillars & Priorities An Interview with President Walsh
Start Up and Launch , Katie Gailes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 News Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Around Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Pictured on the cover: class of 2022 sophomores (left to right) Cambridge Jones, Katiya Laster and Jaisha Smalls.
Greetings All,
The one constant thing in life is CHANGE! As the new interim executive director for alumnae relations, I first want to send sisterly love and appreciation to Audrey Franklin ’72 who held this job for over ten years and leaves a legacy of great success. I have spent over forty years volunteering and serving in various capacities with the Alumnae Relations staff and we are a remarkable, dedicated team. I am excited to work with the effervescent leadership of the Bennett College National Alumnae Association (BCNAA), as together we establish and accomplish fundraising, membership and recruitment goals. BCNAA leaders will also work with me on chapter development and visitations. It is important that chapters send meeting and event schedules so that we can attend when possible. You should have received your alumnae directory by now. It is a useful tool to stay connected. I also want to thank the numerous alumnae who always avail themselves to volunteer, especially those of you who served with the Institutional Advancement team to plan our December 3rd “Day of Giving” and those of you who made contributions. Bennett is truly grateful for your gifts of time, talents and treasures. The duties and responsibilities of the Alumnae Relations office remain the same; however, because we have a small team in Institutional Advancement, we work cohesively to get the jobs done. Below are a few reminders of what we do: • • • • • • •
Attend chapter meetings/events Organize new chapters and assist with chapter development Assist class reunion class coordinators by sending direct mail and email appeals Send various communications to alumnae Solicit and gather alumnae news and updates to addresses, phone numbers, etc. Plan and support campus events Work with the BCNAA to plan and conduct various events.
Of course, there is much more that goes on in this office. I look forward to working with each of you and especially hearing from you. My email is deborah.love@bennett.edu. You can also reach me at (336) 517-2247. I wish you and your families/friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Sisterly,
Deborah Tillman Love ‘79
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I also want to thank the numerous alumnae who always avail themselves to volunteer...
CHAPTER
NEWS
METRO CHARLOTTE The Metro Charlotte Chapter had an awesome time at their White Luncheon honoring Belle Madelyn Mebane ‘73 for her years of service to the chapter. They also celebrated their proudest effort: a commitment to mentoring potential future Belles in the community, including 11th grader Autumn Collins who has an internship with the chapter, assisting with college fairs and the chapter newsletter. Autumn interviewed alumnae at the White Luncheon, learning how Bennett shaped their careers and also interviewed President Walsh. Kim Frost is president of the Metro Charlotte Chapter.
METRO DC
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Thursday May 2 to Sunday, May 5, more than 350 alumnae gathered for this year’s
Alumnae Weekend
2019
ALUMNAE
SPOTLIGHT Amber McGill ’16 Amber McGill knew that her hard work as founding president of the Graduate Black Student Union (GBSU) at American University had paid off when she saw a group of members talking in the hallway of the School of International Service. “It made me so happy because without the union they would have just walked past each other,” says McGill. McGill, a graduate student in AU’s Kogod School of Business and the School of International Studies (SIS), was surprised when she arrived at American and discovered that graduate students from different schools weren’t connecting. “No one in SIS knew students in Kogod,” she said. “It can be isolating for students who are new to the area and don’t know anybody.”
“There also wasn’t a cross-school minority group,” she added. “We reached out to our networks to find out who would be interested in joining the GBSU and every single person said, ‘Yes, I want this.’” Most students attend higher education while they are in their twenties. It’s not only a high-stress time of transition but also when many mental illnesses first appear. Having a support system like the GBSU is crucial, especially for students of color. “In black culture, community is everything,” said McGill. “Having many people that you know you can call is crucial for us. I always think that I can get through today because I know there is someone else going through it with me.” The Graduate Black Student Union is not just about professional development—it’s about personal development. McGill wants everyone to know that the GBSU is open to all members, regardless of race or ethnicity. “If you like us, we love you, and we would love to have you,” said McGill.
support the government in ways to continue this national conversation, and will support these endeavors to improve the persecution of SGBVs-related crimes, harmful particles, as well as the Sexual and Reproductive Health Right (SRHR),” she said.
Kathrine Parker ‘11 Katherine Parker, 2017 Young Alumnae Award recipient, is serving as communications director of N.C. Governor Roy Cooper’s initiative Hometown Strong, a more personal hands-on approach for state government reaction to the needs of North Carolina’s rural communities. The initiative fosters partnerships between state agencies and local leaders to champion rural communities. Through leveraging state and local resources, identifying ongoing projects and community needs, implementing focused plans to boost the economy and improving infrastructure, Hometown Strong seeks to strengthen these communities. Katherine said, “I am humbled and grateful to serve in this capacity, being from a rural North Carolina town. Every community, urban or rural, equally deserves to have quality resources to thrive.”
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Baffour made the commitment at the end of a two-day National Colloquium on Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) prevention and response held in November in Monrovia, in partnership with the government of Liberia, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) through its spotlight initiative, as well as civil society organizations.
Violet Baffour ’00 Violet Baffour, Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), said that the agency remains committed to supporting Liberia in the fight against Sexual Gender-based Violence (SGBV). “We will work in partnership with all national and international partners to ensure that we achieve this; we will
The event, “Promoting Coordination to Enhance Prosecution of SGBV Crimes, Harmful Practices, and Promoting Access to Sexual Reproduction and Health Rights (SRHRs),” brought together delegates from Montserrado and other parts of the country.
Breah Pope Robinson ’15 Alumna Breah Robinson is the founder of Rise 2 Reach, Inc. a youth development organization dedicated to transforming the lives of young people. Her organization is an auxiliary partner to Save a Girl, Save a World (SAGSAW), a 501c3 multigenerational mentoring organization, founded in 2011 at Bennett and host for its annual retreat from 2011 to 2016. The annual retreat moved to Clark Atlanta University where its 9th Annual Mentoring Retreat was held November 1517th. Belle Robinson traveled with four new Bennett mentees and one returning mentee to participate in this transformative weekend. Accompanying Belle Robinson was Ja’Nylah Johnson (SO. Political Science), Zauria Murphy (SO. Business Admin), and Ashley Robinson (JR. Social Work), Naiyara Vann (JR. Social Work), and Faven-jewel Post (SR. Psychology).
Captain Stephanie Cambridge Mardis ’00 Among the brilliant law enforcement officers in the Greensboro Police Department, Bennett can claim recently promoted Captain Stephanie Cambridge Mardis as our own. Stephanie joined the GPD in March 2002 and is currently assigned as Commanding Officer-Patrol Bureau One-District. She oversees a staff of two lieutenants, nine sergeants, eight corporals and over one hundred officers. She is responsible for district
Dr. Janell Catlin ’00 Dr. Janell Catlin has joined the Schmidt Science Fellows team as the program’s first director of global meetings, initiated at the 2019 Fellows’ meeting in Cambridge, MA and hosted by MIT, the Broad Institute and Harvard University. She was previously director of STEM coalition partnerships at Discovery Education. As director, Dr. Catlin will be responsible for program design and delivery of the Global Meetings Series that is central to the unique Schmidt Science Fellows experience. The meetings introduce Fellows to new ideas, a wide range of cutting-edge science, and leading thinkers to develop their perspectives as emerging interdisciplinary leaders. Fellows also receive bespoke training in leadership, budget and funding, communication and personal effectiveness.
patrol response, community resource (community outreach, community watch groups and speaking requests), investigation of property crimes, low level narcotics complaints and repeat neighborhood issues/concerns. In addition to her duties, Stephanie steps up to “Serve and Protect” Bennett students by speaking at events/ ACES about safety, patrolling the campus and interacting with students on a regular basis. She is a Tampa, Florida native and mother of one son, Jackson.
Before joining Discovery Education, Dr. Catlin served as Head of STEM Education at Teach For All, a global network of 53 partner organizations including Teach For America. She previously led the Harlem Schools Partnership for STEM Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she also serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor. She has led STEM education initiatives throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Dr. Catlin said, “The Schmidt Science Fellows are an inspirational group of early career scientists with a commitment to harnessing interdisciplinary research to make a positive impact in the world. I am thrilled to have the privilege to work with the Fellows and the wider Schmidt Science Fellows community to build a global meeting series that supports their ambitions.”
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ALUMNAE
SPOTLIGHT Randye Jones ’80 Although Negro spirituals can trace their history back to the folk songs of the African continent, their first entry into the art song repertoire occurred barely a century ago with the publication of “Deep River” by Harry T. Burleigh in 1916. Their presence in the repertoire has not been without controversy, however. African Americans have questioned whether the sorrow songs of slavery should be diluted by forcing them into the mold of the European art song format. Caucasians and other vocalists not of the African diaspora have questioned whether they have “permission” to sing spirituals, especially using dialect. Still, singers are discovering the difficulty of resisting the powerful pull of the spirituals’ soul-stirring words and music as they search for opportunities to enrich and diversify their repertoire. In “So You Want to Sing Negro Spirituals” soprano and researcher Randye Jones gathers into one resource information
Toi Rice-Jones ’10 In July, U.S. Army Brigadier General James Smith awarded Belle Toi Rice-Jones with the Army’s Public Service Commendation medal citing her “… exceptional service as the Family Readiness Group Advisor for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion from June 2016 through July 2019. Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Your leadership has touched the lives of our Soldiers and Families and set the standard for caring, loyalty and dedication. The steadfast support you have provided and your tireless devotion over the past few years are sterling examples for all to emulate. Your patriotism and service are in keeping with the true spirt of volunteerism, and reflect great credit upon you, the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, and the United States Army.” Congratulations to Belle Toi, who teaches theater at Cumberland County Christian School in Fayetteville, N.C. She and her husband, Major Mario S. Jones (N.C. A&T ’10), are the parents of Mario, Jr. and Toi III.
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musicians will find pertinent to developing an understanding of the vocal style. The history of spirituals – from its folk song roots, through transformation to choral and solo vocal concert performance, to its development into art song – is followed by a discussion of the lives and recorded works of several composers who have contributed significantly to the spiritual art song repertoire. Jones also delves into the performance practice of spirituals, especially when and how to use dialect. The book closes with selected bibliographies of music books, scores and sound recordings of spirituals. Randye also received a master’s degree in music - vocal performance from Florida State University and has done post-graduate study in vocal literature at the University of Iowa. She is recognized for her research and published writings on African American vocalists and composers through such projects as “The Spirituals Database and Afrocentric Voices in ‘Classical’ Music,” and her online broadcast station Afrocentric Voices Radio.
Theresa Bennett-Wilkes ’72 What do you do after you’ve completed a task or project which seemed allconsuming? How do you release the energy and emotion which helped drive your involvement? Did you reach a point where you were waiting to exhale? Four years ago, Theresa began working in earnest on a novel she wanted to self-publish. “I had already designated it as my next literary offering and my first foray into releasing a lengthy fictive chronicle,” she said. In August, her Unfinished Business: A Celebration of Black Life, Love, and Institutional Memory became available on Amazon in digital and soft-cover formats. “My novel is no longer a fervently wished for dream, a yearning or something I told anyone who would listen I wanted to do,” she said. “It is a done deal! And I am delighted to share this wonderful news.” She added, “Success, however it is defined, is never truly an individual achievement. There are always others who labor behind the scenes to make things happen. Their commitment of prayer, love, support, and encouragement is reflected in the outcome. Some of the goodwill infused with success stretches across decades, a living testament to the sanctity of love and friendship. Franklin and I grew up together, preachers’ kids whose parents were also friends and colleagues. Need I say more?” “Then there’s college… My initial exposure to Bennett, my alma mater, was a six weeks’ humanities summer school. There I met a recently wed couple, Rev. and Mrs. Peter E. A. Addo. I fell in love with them. It was the beginning of a life-long friendship. Rev. Addo was Bennett’s Chaplain during my student years and Dr. Linda Addo ’64, now Mother Addo, was my much-admired and respected history professor. The Addos met my parents and became my surrogates. Rev. Addo, who was also an author was one of my earliest literary influences. He made his transition on Good Friday in 2017. Mother Addo continues to be strongly supportive. I am grateful to her for lighting my path, enhancing my love of and appreciation for history and historical significance, both as a scholarly pursuit and as a meaningful aspect of everyday life, challenging, instructing, and encouraging me to “let my creative juices flow…”, she said. Theresa remains and advocate for Bennett and is a member of the Greensboro Alumnae Chapter.
Monte Vick Cowan ‘40 (last in class) Monte La Roque Vick Cowan was born June 5, 1918 in Wilson, North Carolina. She was the ninth and youngest child of Samuel and Annie Vick. Monte’s father was the first African American postmaster in Wilson and her mother, a teacher. Monte visited Bennett while in high school and graduated from the college in 1940 with a degree in home economics. She became lifetime friends with roommates Clarice Gamble Herbert and Fannie Neal. After graduation, Monte taught at high schools in Oxford and Mt. Airy, N.C. Along the way, she met a young soldier named George Cowan and they married. The couple had one child, Vicki Monte Cowan. George and Monte moved to New York and later, to New Jersey where Monte worked with Catholic Charities at the Mount Carmel Guild in Newark, and from which she retired at age 75.
ALUMNAE WEEKEND 2020 April 30-May 3 Sheraton Four Seasons 336-292-9161 Reservation cutoff date: March 30, 2020 Reunion Classes 5’s and 0’s
Monte’s husband George passed away in the 1960s and she carried on as a single parent, sending her daughter to Hampton Institute (now Hampton University). She was a loyal sister and friend to her siblings, and the last living child in her family. Monte’s daughter Vicki blessed her with one granddaughter, Kyara Alesia Cowan. She remains active and athletic, attending exercise class weekly and is a member of the Silver Steppers in East Orange, N.J. Monte is a very active and engaged Bennett Belle!
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ALUMNAE
SPOTLIGHT
Audrey Franklin ’72 2019 Alumni Director of the Year Helped Bennett Alumnae Stay Connected, Energized: It’s not every day that former students impact their alma mater as Audrey Demps Franklin ’72 did for the past ten years as the former executive director of alumnae relations at Bennett. She kept alumnae informed about campus life and initiatives; encouraged them to support Bennett with their time, talents and treasure; and ensured that current Belles embrace Bennett while fully grasping the importance of giving back. Her efforts did not go unnoticed. Audrey was named 2019 Alumni Director of the Year by the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation at a September ceremony in Atlanta. “I’m not at all surprised that Audrey was chosen as the winner for this award,” said Deborah Tillman Love ’79, former president of the Bennett College National Alumnae Association and now currently serving as interim executive director of alumnae relations. “Audrey worked tirelessly to ensure that alumnae had what they needed to enable them to support Bennett at all levels. Additionally, she’s a past BCNAA President, so she knew how to handle the position from both angles. She was outstanding at her job, and I’m really happy that she was recognized in this most deserving way.” For her part, Audrey felt the award belonged to many — not just her. “I know we do good work at Bennett, but it is nice when others recognize it,” Audrey said. “My first thought was it was not just me but the entire team of alums, including the BCNAA, which makes my job so easy.” Audrey enrolled at Bennett in 1968, leaving her small hometown of Bartow, Florida for Greensboro. At that time, she had no idea how integral she would become to Bennett. A no-nonsense, take-charge type of person, Audrey remains invaluable to Bennett because of her institutional knowledge, her deep connections in the Greensboro area and her penchant for knowing how to organize events — down to the most minute details. If she doesn’t have the solution to a problem, rest assured she will find one.
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Audrey accepting the HBCU Digest National Alumni Association of the Year 2019 on behalf of the BCNAA. Left to right: Asha Pinkney Gillus ’97, Konica Haynes ’97, Sereta Coleman Moore ’96, Dorothy Childs Browne ’69, Audrey Demps Franklin ’72, Kenya Samuels Gray ’99, Tennille Francis Drummond ’99, and Bianca Williams Mitchell ’98.
Even so, Audrey was surprised to win the award but hopes the judges considered the impact she has on students when they chose her for it. “I did a lot with the students in preparing them to become active alums who keep in touch with Bennett as soon as they graduate,” Audrey said. “It’s not always about money, it’s also about loving your school and wanting the best for it.”
“Bennett alumnae are a strong group of women,” Audrey said. “They love their alma mater. When they think things are not going right, they have no problem letting you know. When they finish telling you what they think, they still give their time and treasures to Bennett.”
Although she has worked in Alumnae Relations for 10 years, Audrey had been at Bennett for more than 41 years in various capacities. She has worked in human resources, payroll and in other areas for the institution. Though she couldn’t foresee the extent of her impact at Bennett, Audrey said she always knew she’d be active in the BCNAA. “I had a work-study assignment in the Office of Alumnae Affairs with the alumnae affairs director, Ellease Colston,” she said. “She taught us all the value of being engaged with Bennett and how important it was to keep Bennett alive and in the forefront.”
Audrey accepting the 2019 Alumni Director of the Year award.
My Dear Bennett Sisters,
It is an honor and privilege to serve as your Bennett College National Alumnae Association president. Since July, the executive committee has been working on our commitments to strengthen relationships with the college, encourage alumnae to grow and give, and share information related to Bennett and the BCNAA. We began with a successful alumnae retreat in August, focused on chapter development and alumnae personal development. We established a monthly e-newsletter and quarterly all-alumnae calls to keep you informed and provide you with a platform to actively engage with us and college leadership. Our committees, regional coordinators and chapter presidents are working to find innovative ways to fundraise and recruit students in support of the institution. Additionally, we have increased our focus on ways we can develop and invest in ourselves as alumnae. We are truly proud of what we have been able to accomplish, but there is much work still to be done. As we approach the close of the first score in the new millennium, I reflect on how we, as alumnae, will be remembered in Bennett’s season of transformation. In the past 20 years we have actively engaged in the advancement of 1,720 graduates and welcomed them as sister alumnae. In the past decade alone, we have given and raised more than $10,329,000 in support of Bennett. Collectively, we have grown older and wiser. However, if hindsight is truly 20/20, what would we see?
Aggie Jean Jackson ’75 Aggie Jean Jackson ’75 served as the first female and first African-American athletics director for the City of Greensboro. She dedicated her 25-year career with the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department to improving opportunities and access for girls and women in sports. Now in retirement, she is busier than when she was working full days with the City of Greensboro. She feels blessed to have been recognized for her hard work. On January 25, 2019 during the formal opening of The Barber Park Events Center, she was selected for the permanent exhibit called The Ruth Wicker Tribute to Women. “It is an honor to be among other outstanding women in Greensboro who have contributed in so many different ways to this community,” Jackson said. On March 30, 2019, in celebration of Women’s History Month, she also received the Bridge Builders Award with other local authors for “Telling Her Story in Book Form.” This award was presented by the Greensboro Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women, Inc. “It was extra special to be nominated by my fellow ‘75 classmate Yardley Nelson-Hunter,” she said. “I am very proud to be an author.”
If I knew in 1999—as a junior at Bennett College—what I know now, I would do quite a few things differently. If I knew how much Bennett and the BCNAA could have used my help and support, I would not have waited eight years before being actively involved in a chapter. If I knew then what I know now, I would have made more of an effort to make financial support of Bennett a priority in my monthly budget. If I knew then what I know now, I would have been a better evangelist to young women in my life, sharing my post-Bennett story in support of recruiting more young ladies to benefit from our hidden gem. If I knew then what I know now, I would have mended some fences with classmates and spent more time with seasoned Belles that I loved before their “evening shadows” fell. We can’t relive the past, but we are, in fact, uniquely positioned to create a bright and remarkable future. We have done some marvelous things together. As we reflect on our rich and unwavering legacy of loyalty to Bennett, I am convinced that the strength of our sisterhood, the bond of our solidarity and the action of our service will allow us to see a new Bennett over the next 20 years. I believe that 2020 will be a transformational year. As such, I invite each of you to join, and again choose to take up the mantle to be part of this great change journey. I look forward to seeing you all at Alumnae Weekend 2020! In the meantime, keep those bells ringing! Yours in sisterhood, solidarity and service,
Natalie Renee Parker ‘01
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Welcome to Bennett College! How would you describe your first semester as president? It has been an amazing whirlwind of meetings, conversations and opportunities to pop up and pop in on Belles! I have so appreciated the warm welcome from the sisterhood and so many good wishes from alumnae and supporters. There is a deep commitment and devotion to this very special place, particularly at this critical moment in time. Bennett is indeed at a critical juncture in its rich history. How do you assess where things stand right now? We are operating in an environment that is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) in the world and on our campus. We have both an opportunity and an obligation as a community to dive in and be part of something big, something challenging, something important. I think we do that by reinventing and reimagining the roles of Bennett College, HBCUs and the liberal arts in the 21st century. What does reinventing and reimagining Bennett College look like to you? We are going to stay true to our mission of preparing women to be leaders in the world and address issues related to social justice, civil rights and social mobility. But we must do a better job helping our students learn how to navigate VUCA on campus and in the world. We have to prepare them to be flexible and adaptable as the nature, speed, volume and magnitude of change occurs more frequently than in the past. At the same time, we need talented faculty and staff who are skilled at navigating that same set of factors to propel the College forward.
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An interview with Suzanne E. Walsh
Now that you are wrapping up your first semester at Bennett, what areas are you going to focus on as top priorities? The Board of Trustees and leadership team have established four pillars of focus as we work to stabilize and then advance Bennett College. Those pillars are: - Business & Finance - Enrollment Management - Information Technology & Infrastructure - Facilities We are developing specific action plans for each of these pillars. They are all critical to our short- and long-term success and demand our full attention. What is the status of Bennett’s accreditation issues? We’re still accredited. We continue to work with the courts to resolve our issues with SACSCOC (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges). We are making progress in our pursuit of TRACS (Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools) accreditation. Both of these accreditation tracks require intensive and rigorous work. Standard for standard, there’s only a difference of four standards between SACSCOC and TRACS. The exciting opportunity if we were to receive TRACS accreditation, is that we would have the ability to work on some new academic programs that we cannot work on when we’re on probation with SACSCOC.
The editors of The Belle Ringer had the opportunity to catch up with President Walsh as she completed her first 100 days at Bennett College. Below is an edited transcript of our conversation.
The #StandWithBennett campaign demonstrated the faith and hope of more than 16,000 ardent supporters. What comes next in terms of fundraising? What an amazing campaign! The funds it raised provided needed dollars to stabilize our current operations, support much needed scholarships and financial aid for students, reduced some of our debt and allowed us to begin improving our physical and technological infrastructure so we can operate more efficiently. Our doors would not be open without the support generated by #StandWithBennett. Now, it is time to move beyond saving Bennett College by investing in Bennett College. In the next few months, we will lay out the investments that must take place for Bennett College to reimagine itself and reassert its critical role preparing women for leadership . It is time to get back to a place where we build from strength to strength.
What do you look forward to most in 2020? A few things: 1. More time meeting with students, faculty staff, alumnae, and members of the community. 2. Celebrating our Bennett Belles who were part of the Greensboro protests. This is the 60th anniversary. 3. As I said earlier, the first 100 days were a whirlwind of activity and learning. Now we have a clear handle on our most important priorities and how we need to move forward in 2020. It is not going to be easy but we have a much clearer sense of what has to be done. I came to Bennett College to respond to an urgent need to make a difference in the world. I cannot think of a better way to do that than being part of the Bennett community that prepares women to be the leaders our world so desperately needs. I want to thank everyone who has supported me with words of wisdom, kind thoughts and prayers.
Stabilization Plan There are 4 areas that are central to a stabilization of Bennett College
BUSINESS & FINANCE
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT
FACILITIES
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NATIONAL ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION BCNAA Executive Committee 2019 - 2021
President Natalie Parker ’01
1st Vice President Melissa H. Watson ’13
2nd Vice President Breah Pope Robinson ’15
Treasurer Rev. Dr. Marilyn K. Lewis ’76
Financial Secretary Wendelin Douglas ’91
Recording Secretary Dr. Joyce Bass Valentine ’78
Parliamentarian Dr. Frankie Penn Powell ’75
Immediate Past President Gwendolyn Mackel Rice ’61
BCNAA Honorees
Ellease Randall Colston Service Award Elayne Gibbs Jones, ‘88
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President’s Award Mrs. Janet Dailey Peterson, ‘58
UNSUNG HEROINE AWARDS
BCNAA Honorees
Achievement Award Dr. Deidre Cooper Owens, ‘94
Susie W. Jones Award Dr. Joyce Bass Valentine, ‘78
Friend of Bennett Award Mrs. Ola Frances Caldwell
President’s Award Queen Carol Simpson, ‘75
Rhonda L. Slade, ‘91 Metro DC Chapter
Thelma Battle Bryant, ’52 Eastern North Carolina Chapter
Cheryl Grant, ’84 Metro Atlanta Chapter
Adonica Smith Williams, ’91 Greensboro Chapter
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CLASS REUNIONS
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2018-2019 CLASS GIVING
Chapter Giving
Class Giving
Region/Chapter
Total
Reunion Class
Total
Great Lakes Region Chicago, IL Cincinnati, OH
$14,064.00 $18,080.69
Class of 1934
$500.00
Class of 1944
$20,100.00
Class of 1949
$20,185.00
Class of 1954
$7,382.00
Class of 1959
$47,726.00
Class of 1964
$40,900.00
Class of 1969
$70,351.10
Class of 1974
$21,759.72
Class of 1979
$15,763.86
Class of 1984
$3,825.00
Class of 1989
$12,041.97
Class of 1994
$9,595.66
Class of 1999
$30,044.64
Class of 2004
$4,320.00
Class of 2009
$4,612.28
Class of 2014
$2,891.81
Class of 2019
$550.00
Mid-Atlantic Region Baltimore, MD Metro Washington, D.C. Northern Virginia Richmond, VA Tidewater, VA
$51,363.48 $113,790.38 $108,579.35 $1,526.00 $31,228.49
Northeast Region Delaware Valley Greater New York New England Northern New Jersey Westchester, NY
$24,850.00 $38,690.62 $3,105.00 $22,958.40 $24,225.00
Pacific Region Las Vegas, NV San Francisco Bay Southern California
$2,998.25 $28,128.10 $27,330.46
South Central Region Houston, TX
$15,192.75
TOTAL
Southeast Region Albany, GA Charleston, SC Coastal Carolina Dade/Broward County, FL Durham, NC Eastern NC/Rocky Mount Gastonia, NC Greensboro, NC High Point, NC Kinston, NC Metro Atlanta Metro Charlotte, NC Orangeburg, SC Pee Dee/Florence, SC Raleigh, NC Savannah, GA South Central/Fayetteville Western NC Winston Salem, NC
$3,810.00 $9,900.00 $4,834.00 $50.00 $130,360.78 $42,317.05 $6,269.26 $335,828.35 $50.00 $2,290.00 $77,048.58 $114,057.63 $3,746.00 $10,540.00 $20,969.25 $25.00 $6,501.54 $18,718.42 $39,489.67
TOTAL
$1,352,916.50
Thank You!
$312,549.04
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Establish Your at Bennett College Through imagination and proper charitable planning, you can shape Bennett’s future beyond what you thought possible and propel Bennett College further forward. Making a gift by including Bennett College in your long-term financial or estate plan is an important decision. It’s a decision that encompasses more than financial goals and tax benefits. It’s about harnessing your passion to make a lasting impact on the people and places important to you.
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Planned gifts are as unique as the people whose passion and creativity inspire them to give. Whether you want to endow a scholarship for future Belles or give a boost to a particular academic program, planned gifts provide meaningful support to Bennett College while helping you achieve your own personal and financial goals. You may be surprised how big of an impact you can have. Bennett College offers a range of imaginative giving strategies that allow you to unleash your inner philanthropist while maximizing tax advantages and financial flexibility. You have the opportunity to consider how one or more of the following planning tools can help you enhance your future financial wellbeing while providing a meaningful gift to Bennett College:
PATHS TO YOUR LEGACY 1 Your Will – After providing for the needs of your loved ones, you may choose to name Bennett College as one of the beneficiaries of your estate.
2 A Revocable Living Trust – If, like many others, you have decided to minimize probate costs by relying on a revocable living trust, you can direct a portion of the remaining assets at its termination to Bennett College.
3 Your Home – By creating a life estate arrangement with Bennett College, you can make a gift of a personal residence or other real estate while retaining the security of knowing you may live there as long as you live.
4 A Life Insurance Policy – You can make a significant gift by naming Bennett College as a beneficiary to receive all or a portion of the proceeds of life insurance that is no longer needed for its original purpose.
5 Your Retirement Plans – Whether you participate in a company retirement plan or other plan you have established, such as an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), you may feel you have more than enough to provide for you financial future. You can make a gift to the College using the excess proceeds and also make Bennett College a beneficiary of the account. Connect with us today to explore how giving to Bennett College can also help you realize your personal and financial goals. Contact LaDaniel Gatling, II at (336) 517-1761 or ladaniel.gatling@bennett.edu to discuss ways to help you find the best option to bring your love for Bennett College to life!
In Memorium: Lillie Wright Alston ‘60 Lauren R. Anderson ‘10 Nannie Geary Armstrong ‘49 Thelma Battle Bryant ‘52 Elizabeth Daise ‘61 Mary Frances Lane Delany ‘62 Jacqueline Florence Meadows Dunsenbury ‘62 Ruth Coles Easley ‘48 Denise Dungee Green ‘85 Julia Ella Morgan Hardy ‘51 Barbara Byrd Haynes ‘62 Freida Jordan Horne ‘71 Sereita Hairston Johnson ‘64 Roberta Cauer Judd ‘80 Ruby Garden Luck ‘42 Carolyn Morings Mack ‘69 Joyce Dobson Matthews ‘56 Eleanor Mitchell Hunter ‘68 Stephanie Jackson Morgan ‘69 Jennie Lawrence Moss ‘46 Leacy Shipman Pierce ‘61 Laura Robinson Ragsdale ‘69 Jacqueline Ransom ‘80 Queen Barber Reid ‘47 Ezell Brady Richardson ‘62 Brenda Richie ‘62 Frances Keck Robinson ‘60 Eliza Alexander Ross ‘52 Dorothy Louise Saunders Rutledge ‘42 Gwendolyn McKee Sellars ‘59 Judy Smith ‘75 Cordelia Boland Steele ‘62 Patricia Williams Strickland ‘62 Katherine Gaffney Sweat ‘50 Dr. Lucille Cole Thomas ‘41 Ometria Campbell Trimble ‘61 Louise E. Warren-Groomes ‘73 May Floris Wilson ‘52 Rosalee Shaw Hereford ‘61 FORMER FACULTY/STAFF Dr. Chelsea Tipton
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Bennett College National Alumnae Association
Class Coordinators
PERSONALIZED LICENSE PLATES! Bennett College has personalized license plates! We currently have plates for North Carolina, Maryland and Washington, D.C. It is an exciting and huge task to accomplish, so hold on, as other states will follow. If you are interested, contact Konica Haynes at kocobelle97@gmail.com.
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Join Your Sisters BCNAA Membership
Benefits of joining: 1. Eligible to vote 2. Dues help support/sustain the Association 3. Become part of a professional network of
women you already have one common aspect
4. Tax deductible 5. Eligible for Alumnae award nominations 6. Receive 5% discount in Bookstore (pop-up stores, alumnae weekend & day of giving)
Membership is free for Alumnae during the first year after graduation. Special Annual Membership of $50 (Graduation date less than 5 years) Regular Annual Membership of $75 Life Membership of $750 Partial Life Membership (Initial payment $250)* *Partial Life Membership payments must be completed within three (3) years or payment to date will be voided.
Payment options: By Mail: (money order or check) PO Box 20321, Greensboro, NC 27420 PayPal: available at bcnaa.org (service fee is added for this method) 21
New Trustees Santiba Campbell, Ph.D.
Faculty Senate President and Assistant Professor of Psychology at Bennett College Dr. Santiba Campbell is an assistant professor of psychology. A native of North Carolina, Dr. Campbell received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Winston-Salem State University, and master’s and PhD in social psychology from the University of Delaware. Her basic research addresses the factors that determine whether, in the face of perpetual threats posed by racism and racial discrimination, African Americans maintain positive psychological well-being, physical health, achieve success and reach personal goals, or adopt negative self-images and other destructive behaviors. This is studied through the lens of racial identity development, intersectionality and contemplative practices, with an interest in college student success and satisfaction. She is a registered yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance and services on the ethics committee.
Kwanza Jones Kwanza Jones is a catalyst. She is the cofounder and CEO of the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano SUPERCHARGED Initiative, a philanthropic grant-making and impact investment organization. Founded in 2014, the Initiative invests in individuals, organizations, early stage/growth ventures, nonprofits and for-profit companies that are compatible with its goal to make a lasting impact across four key areas: Education, Entrepreneurship, Equal Opportunity and Empowerment (kjsi.org) Prior to founding the SUPERCHARGED Initiative, Jones taught cross-cultural negotiations at New York University, was a mediator for the New York City Civil Court and started her career in media and production at Innovation Empowerment Group. Jones currently serves on the Board of Directors of several SUPERCHARGED Initiative portfolio companies. She also founded SUPERCHARGED® by Kwanza Jones, a lifestyle & personal development brand that helps individuals and organizations continuously improve. There, she works with a talented team of creators, strategists and Igniters. (iamsupercharged. com)
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Dr. Campbell’s work applies an intersectional perspective to assess the nature and consequences of social identity development regarding personal and collective self, particularly in historical targets of racism-African Americans. Her research concerning racial identity and perceptions of racial discrimination and how both may influence psychological well-being for African American college students provides some theoretical background on the needs of students from underrepresented populations. Dr. Campbell is currently examining the relationship between stress and negative health outcomes of African American women by exploring the concepts of the universal context of racism, black identity development and race-based traumatic stress injury. It has been shown that perceived racism can lead to negative psychological and physiological outcomes. Contemplative practices like yoga may moderate some of the negative health outcomes that typically affect people of color due to stress from racism.
With a multifaceted background spanning music, media, production, law, business and philanthropy, some say Jones is a Renaissance woman, others call her a Boss. For Kwanza, the title does not matter, the work does. She has been able to merge her three parallel pursuits of creating, investing and powering transformative change, all while shaking up the status quo of what a career should be. Whether serving on corporate boards, teaching negotiation classes at major universities, performing, or speaking on entrepreneurship, empowerment, diversity and leadership, Kwanza Jones inspires and energizes audiences. Given her background as a nine-time and Top 10 Billboard charting dance music artist, it’s no surprise — her energy ignites confidence and action. It’s all part of Kwanza Jones’ passion and purpose, to be a catalyst for the betterment of humanity. (kwanzajones.com) Jones is a graduate of Princeton University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Public and International Affairs, Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University, where she earned her Juris Doctor, and Pepperdine University School of Law where she earned a master’s degree in Dispute Resolution.
LaNella Smith
United Methodist Women Representative LaNella is an alumna of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she majored in mathematics and pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.. She retired from GTE/Verizon Communications, where she worked 30 years as a systems analyst/ IT project manager. LaNella’s passion is United Methodist Women. She has served this organization at all levels, from district to national, including leadership development training for the national organization of United Methodist Women (UMW). Because of her involvement in the Moral Monday movement, she was interviewed for an article in the UMW magazine, Response, and recently was asked to facilitate a workshop titled “Acting for Justice.” She traveled to St. Louis, Missouri, and to Lake Junaluska, NC, to lead the workshop encouraging women to work for justice in their local communities.
Ebony Duell, ’19 Bennett’s SGA President
Ebony Duell, a senior journalism and media studies major from Raleigh, N.C., currently serves as the Bennett College SGA President for the 2019-2020 academic school year. As student body president, it is Ebony’s job to be the voice of Bennett students to the college’s Board of Trustees and to listen to students’ wants and needs. After last year’s accreditation worries, one of Ebony’s goals
LaNella represented UMW as a delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women session at the United Nations. This twentyfour member delegation included women from eleven nations. For ten days, along with women from 193 countries, the UMW delegation addressed issues that affect women across the globe. LaNella is also a leader within the conference organization of the United Methodist Church. She has served on and chaired many committees. Currently, she serves the conference on the Commission on Church and Society, Commission on the Status and Role of Women, and The Episcopacy Committee. In the mid-1990s, LaNella served as a church-appointed trustee for North Carolina Wesleyan College. LaNella serves on the denomination’s General Commission on Church and Society and works for the denomination’s Judicial Council.
is to move forward by showing students that Bennett is still a great place to be. She is focused on ensuring that every student feels included by trying to cater to their individual personalities. Ebony also wants to focus on mental health and making sure her Bennett sisters never feel alone and can always come talk to her if needed. After graduation, Ebony wants to work in a newsroom as a producer or production assistant and her lifetime goal is to be the owner of a media company.
Natalie Parker, ’01 BCNAA President
Natalie Parker is the new president of the Bennett College National Alumnae Association (BCNAA). A New Jersey native, she earned her bachelor’s degree in English literature from Bennett College and a master’s degree in organizational management from George Washington University. In 2010, she started 5 Talents Consulting, a business that helps faith-based organizations lead effectively. She is a wife, mother of two, active church member and leads organizational development for a large Montreal-based forest products company.
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Now Starring: Tammi Mac ’94
B
ennett Belle Tammi Mac is a radio host, television host and actress. Her career in the entertainment industry began at age 16 and was nurtured by Bennett College. Bennett, she said, allowed her to grow in ways that she believes would not have been possible at a larger university.
our hardships and forgive ourselves.” The play won three NAACP awards for best writer, best producer and best performer. She recently played Keke Palmer’s aunt Ginny on the Lee Daniels-produced show “Star.” “I loved the experience on ‘Star,’ but ultimately, I want to be a regular on a TV series, preferably my own,” she said.
Mac is the host of “The Tammi Mac Show” on 102.3 KJLH in Los Angeles, rated No.1 among African Americans in the market. Tammi has interviewed celebrities like Will Smith, Janet Jackson, N.W.A, John Legend and station owner, Stevie Wonder. “I talk to Stevie every day,” she said. “He has supported me tremendously in my career and has shown me a lot of love.”
Success in the entertainment industry requires courage and certainty. Mac attributes those qualities to her experiences. “Women specifically are taught to focus on their past mistakes, but we need to also identify what worked. I reflect on how I accomplished something in one place and apply that method to my present situation.”
TV and radio hosting are similar according to Mac, the difference being more time to talk with guests on her Fox Soul TV show, “The Tammi Mac Late Show” which features interviews with independent artists, fashion designers, comedians and celebrities. Acting, however, is Mac’s true passion. Her 2014-2018 one woman play “Bag Lady” is a story of self-discovery: “It allows women to look at their lives and be accountable for the decisions they’ve made. Once held accountable, we have to find the source of
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Some of her experience and much of her confidence comes from her time at Bennett College. “Bennett was very encouraging because I was never told to not do something; when an opportunity was presented, I was able to explore,” she shared. “The small size of Bennett and its individualized attention helped to give me the work experience I needed. Without Bennett, I don’t think I would have the confidence I have as a woman. There, it’s not unusual to be a woman or to excel, it’s the norm and is expected, so I never thought anything was impossible.”
For current Bennett students, Mac’s advice is simple: “Learn everything because you want to know everything, not because you have to.” Don’t focus on being a woman in the workforce, “When you focus on being a woman, you move forward knowing the criticisms and bring that to the forefront, allowing it to defeat you.” She also suggests that Belles continue to apply to the KJLH internship program. “As far as I am concerned you are ‘in.’ We’ve had a Belle intern go on to work for Entertainment Tonight!”
“Learn everything because you want to know everything, not because you have to.”
Alumnae are
“Hidden Figures”
of #StandWithBennett Marissa Jennings
Last December, Bennett set an ambitious goal to raise $5 million in two months, in hopes that the capital would help the college maintain its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This effort launched the #StandWithBennett (SWB) Campaign. Kathryn Byrd ’01, Marissa Jennings ’03, Alexis Mitchell ’06 and Shayla Moon ’07 are the four alumnae who kept SWB at the top of everyone’s newsfeeds. “They were the ‘hidden figures’ of the campaign,” said vice president of institutional advancement LaDaniel Gatling II. “That group kept the campaign running 24/7.”
Kathryn Byrd
Alexis Mitchell
The proud Bennett Belles wanted their message to highlight the importance of the college and encourage support. “Bennett gives women an opportunity to succeed,” said Byrd. “It offers a sisterhood, a family environment, one that brought a group like this together.” Agreeing with her Bennett sister, Mitchell added, “Bennett is a sacred space for African American women, where they can blossom, are uplifted and empowered. We may not know our purpose when we arrive, but by the time we leave, we know.” Each woman on the team had a different role in the campaign, but all did a bit of everything. Jennings drafted the campaign outlook, Byrd provided consumer feedback, while Mitchell and Moon created imagery and videos for the campaign, some garnering more than 100,000 views. “I wanted to create an experience, to spark emotion and to tell the Belle story,” Mitchell shared, “I used ‘The Long Walk’ and ‘Belles of Liberty’ to inspire alumnae and students.” Being members of the Bennett College National Alumnae Association (BCNAA) the team was supported, provided various resources and collaborated with the association’s NextGen group.
Their SWB campaign was driven by their love for Bennett. “At Bennett, I was able to see the diversity of black America. It provided me with a safe place to grow as a black woman,” said Moon. Byrd echoed those sentiments, sharing, “I fell in love with Bennett because it felt like home; it was familiar – it was a good balance of freedom and stability.” Their ties were strengthened to current students as they considered Bennett’s future. “We were all shocked that we might lose accreditation,” said Jennings. “During my time at Bennett there was a lot of change in administration, so I understood the feelings of uncertainty among those young women and wanted to help.” The team’s contribution to the campaign played a key role in Bennett raising $9.5 million in 60 days. “We were just trying to save our school. I didn’t think it would pick up like it did,” said Mitchell, “I think people view us [Bennett] differently now; they know who we are.”
Shayla Moon
Looking to the future, Jennings challenged current and upcoming alumnae to redirect their focus. “This critical time of ensuring the preservation of our school is only a moment. We need to focus on the movement, making sure we continue to provide young women of color with the same opportunities afforded to us.”
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K
atie Gailes has worked at a Fortune 500 company, started her own business and won $10,000 with a three-minute pitch. Her entrepreneurial spirit and drive aid her in her role as the director of entrepreneurship initiatives at Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech), where she works with aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners in the community, as well as students interested in pursuing entrepreneurial jobs or careers. Wake Tech was originally a client of Gailes’ consulting firm, tasked with revamping the Wake Tech/Wells Fargo Center for Entrepreneurship. To do this she changed the center’s mission and goals, and the title and job description of its director. Her proposal was so well received they offered her the job permanently; “I had worked as a contractor for so long and enjoyed the flexibility, but I realized I really liked what I did for Wake Tech and decided to accept their offer,” she explained.
Start Up and Launch Katie Gailes ‘77
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While overseeing the center, Gailes created two flagship programs: StartUp@WakeTech and LaunchWakeCounty. StartUp@WakeTech brings entrepreneurship training and programs to students while LaunchWakeCounty helps and supports small business owners in the community. For her it is a unique and rewarding position. “I am able to help the diverse student community you find at a community college and support Main Street businesses— businesses found on a town’s main street, the coffee shops, restaurants and boutiques—those are the places that make communities livable,” she said. Gailes is also responsible for finding funding for her initiatives. In October, she participated in the 2019 Pitch Competition for the Trades at the National Association for Community Colleges conference. The competition gave 10 schools three minutes to pitch a skilled trade program it offers and its importance, followed by a two-minute question and answer session with the judges. Gailes’ strategy was to position barbering and cosmetology as skilled trades, as one of the oldest professions and a profession that will always be needed. Her pitch won Wake
Tech $10,000 for its barber and cosmetology school. “People tend to forget that barbers and cosmetologists are entrepreneurs—as soon as they graduate, they get their own shop or chair and have to make their own money,” she explained. “We have always been doing something to prepare those students for being a business owner, but the grant will help us approach it more strategically.”
“I am able to help the diverse student community you find at a community college and support Main Street businesses— businesses found on a town’s main street, the coffee shops, restaurants and boutiques—those are the places that make communities livable,”
Her role as director has changed her work method from one of independence to collaboration. “I was a lone wolf and didn’t fully appreciate teamwork,” she said. “I wanted other people to stay out of the way and let me get things done.” She has now taken a potluck approach to work assignments, “instead of trying to cook an eight-course meal by myself, I am asking other people to bring a dish and I appreciate having them at the table.” Gailes knows Bennett was a good foundation, providing her with a variety of work experiences and leadership opportunities. “I worked on the school newspaper, lived in Boston with three other Belles for an internship and did an audit of the Greensboro Police Department, I was ready for work when I graduated!” Knowing her time at Bennett prepared her for her future, she encourages current students to take advantage of every opportunity college offers, “get an array of exposures and experiences, put as much in your toolkit as possible.”
NEWS BRIEFS to the phages decreases, giving us a way to destroy the bacteria. If successful, this may change the way bacterial infections are treated. “Although E. coli is a relatively harmless strain of bacteria, it shares genetic similarities with many other strains of bacteria. The hope is that the research may be applied to more pathogenic bacterial strains like salmonella, gonorrhea and tuberculosis,” explained Edmondson.
She also teaches Chinese to the children in the Martin Dixon Intergenerational Center twice a month. In class, they sing Chinese songs and dance together.
Dr. Rasheena Edmondson:
Changing Students, Bennett and Possibly the World with a National Science Foundation Research Grant The National Science Foundation’s Research Initiation Awards (RIA) are grants to junior and mid-level faculty to further research and offer research experience to undergraduate students at HBCUs. Dr. Rasheena Edmondson has received Bennett College’s first RIA grant. She hopes to begin her project, “Antagonistic Bacteriophage and Metal Combination Treatment to Combat the Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance,” this winter. “Antibiotic resistance is an issue,” said Edmondson, noting that the CDC reported it as “one of the biggest health challenges of our time.” Bacterial resistance is increasing each year and new antibiotics are not being developed fast enough to keep up. Edmondson is exploring a solution. “As bacteria increase in resistance to one thing, they typically lose resistance to another,” she said. “My research focuses on bacteria’s resistance to bacteriophages.” Bacteriophages, referred to as phages, are natural viruses that specifically target bacteria cells. “Phages are found almost everywhere bacteria is found—in soil, water, humans; one study found them in a toilet bowl!” Her research method treats a common strain of bacteria, E. coli, with antibiotics, followed by metals that contain antibacterial properties, to increase its resistance. As the E. coli’s resistance to antibiotics and metals increases, the hope is that its resistance
Sofyan Essarraoui,
Amy Kao, Chinese Instructor
As our young women navigate this global society, it is important that they have study abroad experiences and can communicate in various foreign languages. Kao Linghung, better known as Amy Kao, is the Chinese instructor at Bennett College. She hails from Taiwan, worked as academic librarian at Fu-Jen Catholic University for two years, and joined Washington University in St. Louis’ Chinese summer program as a trainee and language instructor. At Bennett, she teaches two classes, Fall semester Elementary Chinese 101 and Minimester Elementary Chinese 101. She has held an international tea to introduce Taiwan’s culture and food and given a presentation in Professor Gwendolyn Bookman’s Comparative Political Systems class. The Elementary Chinese course aims to build a solid foundation in Chinese with a focus on oral interaction, work on the Chinese writing system and learning to read simple texts. Much of the class time is spent on students’ performance in Chinese in cultural contexts. Finally, the goal is to develop skills in Chinese communication across ethnic, cultural and ideological contexts.
Arabic Instructor Sofyan Essarraoui was born and raised in the tiny village of Sarte situated in Zagora, Morocco. He grew up quite poor, and like everyone in that tiny village, did not have many essential resources. His family were originally nomadic shepherds. At the age of six, he started primary school and continued to study at a time when most people dropped out. In 2012, he received his high school diploma which enabled him to continue his educational journey to university. Essarraoui moved to Marrakech, 233 miles away from his village and earned a bachelor’s degree in English in 2015. The same year, he was accepted into a master’s program in advanced English studies. In 2017, Essarraoui was selected to Erasmus exchange in the Czech Republic and upon completion of the program, went back to Morocco where he worked as a manager of a project funded by The European Endowment for Democracy. In 2018, he became a licensed tour guide from the ministry of Tourism in Morocco. In 2019, he was accepted into the Fulbright Program and currently teaches Arabic at Bennett.
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NEWS BRIEFS
During Bennett Belle Princess Bush’s Summer at UVA, Failure Became an Option Princess Bush, a Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Scholar, spent her summer participating in the VA/NC Alliance Summer Research Program at the University of Virginia. The program “was more than just an internship,” according to Bush, a third-year biology major, psychology minor. The VA/NC Alliance Summer Research Program provides research experience to students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fields by conducting lab work independently, under the guidance of faculty and/or graduate student mentors on a research project. In addition to research, writing workshops, graduate school preparation, presentations on STEM topics and panel discussions are offered to help students grow professionally and individually. Bush chose the program as her first summer internship because it “offered a holistic approach to what scientists do.” Working in the microbiology department under the mentorship of Dr. Alison Criss, Bush researched different drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea. The lab is where Bush says she learned “what science and research truly is.” “I always thought of science as an observational craft, ‘these are the facts, now apply them.’ Although there are a lot of facts, there are a lot of things we don’t know, like how one fact interacts with another fact,” she said. Utilizing the scientific method outside of the classroom as she studied strains to find those new facts empowered
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her, and “it was really great to be at the edge of something and make new research that future students may read about and practice in their lab classes.” When not in the lab Bush met with university officials, networked at social gatherings, spoke at events and attended a leadership conference. These extracurriculars aided her in examining her future as a pediatrician, “hearing from and interacting with my peers, mentors and instructors helped me work towards deciding what I want to do with my life and career. It helped me digest and dissect what that really means. I am now looking into research, which I found I really love, because of this experience.” Of everything she learned while participating in the program, her biggest lesson was overcoming her fear of failure. “I didn’t like failure, but now I know it’s okay to fail. Things in the lab and extracurriculars did not always go the way I wanted, however things always worked out, just not the way I planned. In those moments where I failed, it pushed me to success because it confronted and changed my perspective of myself. Failing challenged me, leading me to find what I now know about networking, science, research and myself. The program helped me learn how to get back up after failure, or what we perceive as failure.” Bush’s advice to other STEM students is to “dream broad and work hard towards those dreams and those goals, be relentless in your pursuits, be open to changes and different possibilities. Know that discomfort leads to success… that failure leads to success.”
Houston’s business started when she was a junior in high school and working for the local Girl Scout council in her native California. “I made a painting for one of my coworkers and the Chief of Mission Delivery said, ‘Oh my gosh, I love that! I want it on a shirt.’” Houston turned that painting, as well as several others, into a line of T-shirts, which were sold at the Girl Scout office. Victoria’s Secret PINK Girl PWR Project Winner: Aariella Houston, Entrepreneur, Third-Year Student Third-year student and budding fashion designer Aariella Houston was one of 20 winners nationwide of Victoria’s Secret PINK GRL PWR Project, an initiative providing $10,000 grants to female entrepreneurs between the age of 18 to 25. Houston is the founder and CEO of online apparel store, Zage Apparel. She is enrolled in a dual-degree program, studying chemistry at Bennett College and chemical engineering at North Carolina A&T.
When she started Bennett College, she noticed a lack of variety in Bennett apparel sold at the bookstore. The summer between her first and second year, she designed a variety of collegiate T-shirts for her fellow Belles, gaining permission to sell them when she returned to campus. As her designs gained popularity, she expanded her business to include sweatpants, sweatshirts, and shorts as well as Greek apparel and North Carolina A&T merchandise, all while continuing to design and make every piece herself. The business was so successful last year that Houston was able to donate nearly $500 in profits to the #StandWithBennett campaign.
Using the $10,000 grant from Victoria Secret, Houston has expanded her clothing line’s range of options and sizes, now offering merchandise ranging from XS to 4XL. “I wanted everyone to be able to wear my apparel and feel beautiful,” she said. She also updated her website and rebranded her business, changing the name from A Golden Art to Zage Apparel. The PINK GRL PWR Project, which launched this year, was initiated to promote female entrepreneurial empowerment. Houston applied to the contest after her mother’s friend saw an ad on Facebook and sent her a link. The application asked the girls to name three female heroes, explain how their business has helped women grow or has helped them grow in a two-minute video. The winners of the contest were not only rewarded with a $10,000 grant, but also with a three-day mentoring retreat in Sedona, Arizona, where they learned about balancing mental and physical health and running a business.
BREAST CANCER WALK Women’s Only 5K Walk & Run - Bennett Students Participation - October 5, 2019
Thank You!
Monetary donations to cover registration for the Bennett students to participate in this event were made by the Office of Institutional Advancement and the following Bennett alumnae: Sheila Bennett Clemmons Shemiah Curry Sekinah Hamlin Sharon Hadrick Reid Aggie Jean Jackson Nancy Drake Jimerson Marilyn King Lewis Carol Long Martin Frankie Denise Powell Pat Davis-Thompson Mary Ann Scarlett Roslyn Smith Beverly Walker Brenda Williams
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AROUND CAMPUS
Belle & Co.
POP-UP-SHOP
g n i v i G esday Tu
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Thank you for helping us raise more than $50,000 on Giving Tuesday
Holgate Library Update
Miss Bennett College Regale & Coronation 2019-2020
Pictured left to right: Miss Sophomore - Katiya Shearrie Laster, Miss Senior - Precious Smith Pinckney, Miss Bennett College - Taylor Kristian Adkins, Miss Junior - Jamie Larae Rose and Miss Freshwoman - Tyffani Kiara Royal
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3.0
32
+ GPA
OUT-OF-STATE VS. IN-STATE
PSYCHOLOGY
OF FRESHWOMEN WITH
BIOLOGY
298 % 39.5
58% 42% BUSINESS
ENROLLMENT TOTAL
TOP 3 MAJORS
BCNAA Officers BCNAA Executive Committee Mrs. Natalie Renee Parker ‘01 President president@bcnaa.org 856-986-5885 3306 Carlisle Ct. Ft. Mill, SC 29715 Ms. Melissa J. Watson ‘13 1st Vice President melissajwatson1873@gmail.com 919-744-1011 308 Knight Ave. Cary, NC 27511 Mrs. Breah P. Robinson ‘15 2nd Vice President 2ndvicepres@bcnaa.org 510-828-2631 3134 Ponderosa Way Antioch, CA 94504 Dr. Marilyn King Lewis ‘76 Treasurer maxie.kinglewis15@gmail.com 336-337-0930 209 E. Montcastle Dr. Unit C Greensboro, NC 27406 Dr. Frankie Penn Powell ‘75 Parliamentarian fpowell003@nc.rr.com 516-991-7995 2895 Trevor Dr. Lumberton, NC 28358
Mrs. Joyce Bass Valentine ’78 Recording Secretary jbvalent74@gmail.com recordingsec@bcnaa.org 919-272-2671 4240 Bay Laurel Ct. Wake Forest, NC 27587 Mrs. Deborah Tillman Love ‘79 Alumnae Affairs (Ex-Officio) deborah.love@bennett.edu 336-517-2247 Interim Executive Director Bennett College 900 E. Washington St. Greensboro, NC 27401 Ms. Wendelin Douglas ‘91 Financial Secretary pendie1@yahoo.com 336-255-4798 600 Edgehill Rd. Richmond, VA 23222 Mrs. Gwendolyn Mackel Rice ‘61 Immediate Past President gwendolynmrice@gmail.com 773-230-9514 8600 South Prairie Ave. Chicago, IL 60619
Charleston, SC Mrs. Eugenia D. Johnson ’48 ej122501@aol.com 843-577-5133 169 Saint Margaret St. Charleston, SC 29403
Las Vegas, NV Ms. Tisha Harris ‘63 tharris60@aol.com 702-646-7068 1201 Eleanor Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89106
Savannah, GA Dr. Myra McCoy Pope ‘73 drndanu@bellsouth.net 912-547-3150 2507 Little John Ct. Savannah, GA 31406
Charlotte, NC Kim Jones Frost ‘87 vkfrost@aol.com 704-531-9399 8224 Early Bird Way Charlotte, NC 28277
Metro Atlanta, GA Ms. Francena Brown ‘86 fbrownbc86@comcast.net H: 678-641-8265 C: 404-244-7048 3174 Sandy Shoals Ln. Decatur, GA 30034
Southern California Ms. Sandra Davidson ‘14 davidson0425@gmail.com 310-594-6797 367-1-2 E 116th Pl. Los Angeles, CA 90061
Chicago, IL Mrs. Kimberly Walls Kirk ‘98 kimberlywalls35@gmail.com 219-614-3322 5020 S. Blackstone Chicago, IL 60615
Metro Washington, DC Ms. RhondaSlade ‘91 rhonda@rhondaslade.com H: 301-888-1207 14652 Governor Sprigg Pl. Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Tidewater Area, VA Dr. Judith Brooks Buck ‘71 jbec2000@msn.com 757-483-7824 6400 Old Westham Dr., N Suffolk, VA 23435
Cincinnati, OH Rev. Jeaninne Lewis Walker ‘85 nean727@juno.com 3236 Fairfield Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45207-1830
New England Ms. Lensley Gay ‘75 lensL9@aol.com H: 203-624-9181 C: 203-984-6972 461 Whalley Ave. #304B New Haven, CT 06511
Westchester, NY Mrs. Leilani Yizar-Reid ‘04 lyizar@gmail.com 4 Howard St., Apt. 2 Mt. Vernon, NY 10550
Coastal Carolina, NC Ms. Renee R. Purvis ‘85 msnicet@yahoo.com H: 252-792-4955 C: 252-809-9832 700 Hyman St. Williamston, NC 27892 Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX Wendolyn Abel-Whitehead ‘86 wendy@abel-arnoldandassociates.com 214-929-6160 5550 Spring Valley Rd. D-16 Dallas, TX 75254 Delaware Valley, PA Khia K. Naylor ‘97 Phillybelle97@yahoo.com 614-772-0652 220 W. Tabor Rd. Philadelphia, PA 19120 Detroit, MI Mrs. Sandra Philpott-Burke ‘70 sphilpottburke@yahoo.com H: 517-706-9503 C: 313-835-4468 18877 Bretton Dr. Detroit, MI 48223 Durham, NC Mrs. Jacqueline Brimmage Anderson ‘70 and3058@gmail.com 919-967-3058 1209 Phils Ridge Rd. Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Chapter Presidents 2019-2021
Eastern Carolina, NC Ms. Carlinda Purcell ‘87 cpurbask@embargmail.com 252-314-0588 125 Clark Rd. Macon, NC 27551
Albany, GA Dr. Judith Hatch ‘77 Judithhatch2014@gmail.com 229-434-9686 1306 Bay Hill Ln. Albany, GA 31701
Gastonia, NC Mrs. Donna Brown Washington ‘77 donna72755@yahoo.com 704-861-8676 1720 Westbrook Cir. Gastonia, NC 28052-5358
Augusta, GA Dr. Stacy Copeland Davis ‘90 pearls27.sd@gmail.com 706-836-1917 697 Heggies Ridge Dr. Appling, GA 30802
Greater New York, NY Ms. Lenore Brathwaite ‘89 lenore72lab@aol.com 631-805-7199 25 South Park Pl. Amityville, NY 11701
Baltimore, MD Ms. Constance Lindsey ‘87 cjlindsey15@yahoo.com 443-413-7122 3039 Brighton St. Baltimore, MD 21216
Greensboro, NC Mrs. Aisha Hart Miller ‘04 mrsanmiller@gmail.com H: 336-621-8979 C: 336-681-7849 709 Townsend Farm Dr. Browns Summit, NC 27214
Northern Virginia Ms. Sarah Brunson ‘90 sarahbrunson411@aol.com 919-210-7961 6413 Prospect St. Fredericksburg, VA 22407 North Jersey Ms. Samantha Dow ‘97 Samantha_dow08@yahoo.com NJBelles@msn.com 908-590-1889 4 Michelangelo Ct. Somerset, NJ 08873 Orangeburg, SC Dr. Grace Heyward Salters ’55 gsalters@bellsouth.net 803-536-0895 2111 Chestnut St. Orangeburg, SC 29115 Pee Dee County, SC Mrs. Yulaundra Ferguson-Heyward yfheyward@gmail.com 843-669-1126 2220 Woodridge Ln. Unit G Florence, SC 29501 Raleigh, NC Ms. Melissa J. Watson ‘13 melissajwatson1873@gmail.com 919-744-1011 308 Knight Ave. Cary, NC 27511 Richmond, VA Mrs. Terressa Campbell Oten ‘96 rvabelles@gmail.com 704-392-1899 12143 Point Placid Dr. Midlothian, VA 23112 Rochester, NY Ms. Lillie Stone ‘74 Lillie.Stone@rcsdk12.org 716-787-1706 419 Walnut Hill Dr. Penfield, NY 14534 San Francisco Bay Area, CA Ms. Melodi Dice melodikd@yahoo.com 510-915-5788 4138 Mt. Isabel Rd. Antioch, CA 94537 Ms. Carolyn J. Silvers ‘70 cjsil48@aol.com 510-430-1264 67 Heritage Ct. Oakland, CA 94605
Western NC Mrs. Doris Luck Fullwood ‘61 fullwoodda@bellsouth.net 828-433-1420 209 Hilltop St. Morganton, NC 28655 Winston-Salem, NC Ms. Gloria Ann Wilson ‘97 gloriawilson158@hotmail.com 336-922-9815 1582 Finwick Dr. Pfafftown, North Carolina 27040
Pending/Reorganized Chapter Contacts Houston, TX Ms. Charmaine D. Wilson ‘99 Cdwilson5@hotmail.com 703-407-4260 3013 Feather Green Trail Fresno, TX 77545 Kinston, NC Mrs. Joyce H. Raye ‘59 252-523-4991 815 Eagle Road Kinston, NC 28501 South Central Dr. Frankie Penn Powell ‘75 fpowell003@nc.rr.com H: 910-802-4112 C: 910-474-3740 2895 Trevor Dr. Lumberton, NC 28358
BENNETT COLLEGE 900 E. Washington Street Greensboro, NC 27401
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
GREENSBORO, NC PERMIT #366