CBAA Update, Volume III, Issue I by Sharon Foretia

The Cornell Black Alumni Association Executive Board Anika Daniels – Osaze ‘96 President

CBAA UPDATE

Darien Ward ‘91 Treasurer Sharon Foretia ‘11 Secretary Carol McIntosh ’83 WCMC ’87, VP Membership Jade Dean ’08 VP Programming

September 2014

Chimene Liburd ’92 VP Fundraising/Scholarship Cynthia Cuffie ’74 VP Student Relations

Cornell at 150, CBAA Forever

SAVE THE DATE: June 4 – June 7 2015 Are you ready for reunion? In 2015, Cornell will be celebrating its Sesquicentennial anniversary, which will lead to one of the largest reunions yet. Planning for CBAA’s triennial reunion is underway!

Volume III, Issue I 2

Dionne Benjamin selected as

This is an opportunity to connect with former classmates, relive your campus experience, learn about key university priorities and vote for the next CBAA executive board. At the January 2015 general body meeting, the planning committee will give a full update on reunion events and all CBAA events in 2015 will focus on getting alumni excited for our reunion and driving registration. Currently, the committee is in search for a t-shirt design for the reunion. If you have ideas, please submit to Morris Melvin (Co-Chair) at mm154@cornell.edu.

inaugural recipient of CBAA

For updates on CBAA’s reunion planning, please visit the CBAA website.

Monet Bell awarded the 20132014 Outstanding Leadership Award

Literary Grant

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Alumni in the news

For more details on Cornell’s Sesquicentennial anniversary events, please visit the anniversary website. Planning Committee

Upcoming CBAA Events

Petula Brown ’92 (Co-Chair) Morris Melvin ’74 (Co-Chair) Laura Davidson ‘95 Stephanie Spann ’02, ’05

John Rawlins, III ’06 Kendra Cole ’09 Angel Harper ’74 Josina Reaves ’95 Patrick Pierre-Louis, ‘06

Judith Osei ‘10 Ashley Black ‘14 Ozias Moore ’13, ‘16 Ruby Saake ‘84

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Monet Bell Awarded 20132014 Outstanding Student Leadership Award community-at-large while attending Cornell University.

Monet will work for Teach for America in the Miami-Dade region. Scholar. Leader. Future Medical Practitioner. Monet Bell, a graduate from the College of Human Ecology, was selected as the recipient of the 201314 Cornell Black Alumni Association Outstanding Student Leadership Award. This award is given to a senior of African descent for his/her outstanding leadership and efforts to enhance the lives of students and the

The award is granted based on the following: (1) academic achievement; (2) leadership on campus or in community organizations; (3) contribution to improving relationships among Cornell students, faculty, administrative staff and/or the greater Ithaca community; and (4) commitment to uplifting people of African descent including future plans for contributing to CBAA, Cornell University, and the greater community. This award was presented to Monet at Black Students United’s 8th annual “It’s a Black Affair,” hosted on May 9th, 2014 at the Statler Atrium. Monet, a native of Weston, FL, has participated in numerous community service activities during her four years as an undergraduate student at Cornell. She has held leadership positions in organizations such as the Black Women Support Network, an organization that

Alumni volunteered at the St. Francis Xavier Soup Kitchen in NYC.

provides a supportive, educational, and social venue for women of African descent within the Cornell community and beyond in the Greater Ithaca Community; FootPrints, an organization that provides shoes and educational supplies throughout the world; Students Onto Scholars (SOS), an organization that serves lowincome youth by providing inspiration and resources to help them attain a higher level of education; and Cornell Alternative Breaks Program, a program that addresses educational iniquities. Monet will serve as a high school math teacher in the Miami-Dade region as a Teach For America corps member. Beyond Teach For America, Monet plans to pursue her interest in addressing community health concerns as a medical practitioner. CBAA is proud to honor Monet. Monet was featured in the Cornell Chronicle in June 2014.

Alumni and friends attended the Kara Walker Exhibit in Brooklyn, NY.

Dionne Benjamin ’00 awarded CBAA’s new Literary Grant

Dionne M. Benjamin, Esq, a graduate of the School of Hotel Administration, Class of 2000, is CBAA’s first recipient of a monetary grant to aid first time authors beginning the process of publishing. Dionne’s submission City Kids - White Chocolate, one of a series of books, chronicles the experience of a young African American boy’s education about his heritage. Her inspiration for this book is her son and the challenging situations they have experienced together. Ms. Benjamin has developed City Kids as a series of books to stimulate conversation between parents and children, promote safety, and garner an appreciation for the urban areas in which we live. Her City Kids series addresses topics such as racial identity, racial profiling, homosexuality, intercourse/conception, gangs, hip-hop culture, drugs and alcohol abuse, absent parents, homelessness and African-American vernacular. She plans to use the grant to help offset the fees associated with publishing such as illustration. The CBAA literary grant was developed to support CBAA alumni in their goals of publishing a book. The initial cost of publishing a book can be a hindrance to an author. CBAA’s intent is to remove that hindrance our alumni encounter by providing financial support with this grant. Fundraising for the grant has and will continue to come from our own alumni and CBAA’s efforts. In order to support our alumni membership, the board committed to developing grant guidelines and raising funds over the last 6-8 months. We will continue our efforts with the hopes that this grant will be a yearly award. The hope is that we can support our alumni realize their dreams and inspire many others to write the novels, poems or plays that are living inside of them. Dionne was featured in the July 2014 edition of the Cornell Chronicle’s Ezra Update. Dennis Williams ‘74 and Gisclerc Morisset ‘97 served on the Selection Committee along with Chimene Liburd ‘92, VP of Fundraising. Thank you to those who supported “100 Days for Scholarship” in which a portion of the donations went towards the literary grant fund.

City Kids addresses topics such as racial identity, racial profiling, homosexuality, intercourse/conception, gangs, hip-hop culture, drugs and alcohol abuse, absent parents, homelessness and African-American vernacular.

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On The Hill Cornell ranked #1 for Top 10 colleges with highest paid liberal arts graduates. VIDEO | Thaddeus Tolbert ‘15 discusses the impact of he SWAG mentoring program in improving graduation rates for African American male students Renee Alexander ’74 reflects on her life and career at the Last Lecture hosted by the Mortar Board Society in April. Read The Cornell Sun article for more details on her lecture. Cornell releases its Diversity Climate report, “The Climate for Diversity at Cornell University: Student Experiences”, interviewing over 400 students. Diversity was the feature in the Spring 2014 edition of the Ezra magazine. Elmira Magnum, former vice president for Budget and Planning at Cornell, was named the 11th President of Florida A&M University and now serves as the university’s first female president. VIDEO | Cornell's Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program prepares undergraduate students to succeed in post-baccalaureate programs. VIDEO | Samuel Kelly, award-winning playwright and professor of Africana studies and communication studies at the State University of New York College at Cortland, brings Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech to life in a dramatic reading as part of Cornell’s School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions summer lecture series.

Past CBAA Events January - August 2014 January 04|New York City General Body Meeting January 11|Atlanta Networking Brunch January 12|Los Angeles Winter Break Game Night February 15|Los Angeles Viewing of American Promise March 08|Los Angeles Regional Planning Meeting March 15|Philadelphia Chosen 300 Ministries Soup Kitchen Volunteering Email Jade Dean at jade.p.dean@gmail.com for any questions on CBAA programming.

March 29|Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House Meal of Love Volunteering

June 01|New York City St. Francis Xavier Soup Kitchen Volunteering

March 30|New York City St. Francis Xavier Soup Kitchen Volunteering

June 04|Nationwide Reunion Planning Conference Call

April 11|Detroit Alumni Gathering April 24|Atlanta Cross-School Black Alumni Mixer May 03|Boston Black Ivy Alumni Mixer May 22|New York City The Cost of Procrastination: Financial Planning Seminar with CLAA & AXA Advisors

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Alumni In the News

Reuben A. Munday ’69, MPS ’74, and Cheryl Casselberry Munday ’72 created an endowment to support a distinguished annual lectureship at Cornell’s Africana Studies and Research Center (ASRC). == The National Basketball Association announced Mark Tatum ‘91 as Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer in January 2014. == Daphne Mobley ’83 was named Vice-Chair of the President’s Council of Cornell Women

Since 1976, CBAA has promoted the professional development of and provided giving opportunities to its members, supported black students at Cornell through endowment of scholar- ships and development of other resources, and provided assistance in recruitment efforts. As of September of 2012, CBAA reinstated its dues-paying membership status per the approved vote of the general body. To be considered an active member, you must have either paid your individual dues of $35 or lifetime member dues of $325 (one- time payment). What the advantages are of being a paid CBAA member? • •

Ability to vote at general body meetings and elections Network with alumni across

Mark Tatum, CALS ’91, was named Deputy Commissioner of the National Basketball Association in January 2014 (PCCW), a group of alumnae who advocate on behalf of Cornell women, in June 2014. == The NY Times featured Robert Smith ’85 and his private equity firm Vista. ==

’69, WCMC ’73, which takes a look at his journey into playwriting and talks about his most recent play "A Few Brave Men".

Kimberle Crenshaw ’81 was featured on MSNBC’s The Ed Show on a panel focusing on the history of police violence in light of the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, MO. == CBAA spotlights Dr. John Mitchell

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all decades and disciples Connect with friends and former classmates Access to special discounts (The Buyers Club) Discounts to CBAA events Access to job announcements via the members-only section Ability to advertise your own business on our website

The CBAA fiscal year runs from July 1 – June 30. To register and pay dues online (via Paypal), please visit our website. An alternative to Paypal is sending a check or money order payable to CBAA to the

Join CBAA Today following address: Carol McIntosh VP of Membership PO Box 376 Mount Rainier, MD 20712 For any inquiries regarding membership please reach out to Carol at cmcmd135@gmail.com.

Homecoming 2014

Friday, October 17 Alumni Lecture Series co-sponsored with BSU, BWSN & LINK Join us for a lecture by Jabari Osaze ’94 on The Shackling of the Black Child’s Mind: History of Racism in Cartoons. 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. |Ujamaa Main Lounge Black Graduate and Professional Student mixer with BGPSA, CBLAN & BLSA Join the Black law, medical, business and graduate students for music & mingling. DJ’d by Chavez Carter ’14 of the Justice League. 8:00 – 11:00 p.m. | Loco Cantina Bar & Grill, 308 Stewart Ave.

Saturday, October 18 COSEP Anniversary Brunch Whether you participated in COSEP, the office of Minority Educational Affairs (OMEA), today’s Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives (OADI) or the Center for Intercultural Dialogue (626), enjoy a continental breakfast and light program. Please register in advance. 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Africana Studies and Research Center MOSAIC/CBAA Tailgate Join MOSAIC and CBAA for food, games and giveaways at our pre-game tailgate tent. 12:00 – 3:00 pm |Crescent Parking Lot Black Greek Letter Networking Mixer with Cornell’s Colleague Network Group (CNG) Join members of the Divine Nine for light refreshments and networking. Open to alumni, faculty, administrators, staff and students. 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. |Martha Van Rensselaer (MVR) 142

James and Janice Turner Scholarship Fundraising Event in Los Angeles Friday, September 26 Turner’s Interview & Dinner Spend an intimate evening with Dr. James Turner and Dean Janice Turner! Listen and participate in a candid interview of the Turners' experience at Cornell. Interview and discussion led by Frank Dawson '74. Tickets are $500 (minimum) and include a catered meal. 100% of the ticket price will be donated to the James & Janice Turner Scholarship Endowment! Donors will receive endowment donation recognition at the "Donor" level during CBAA 2015 Reunion. Higher sponsorship levels are available. Donors can bring an additional guest and will receive 2 tickets to the cocktail reception. Full details can be found on the CBAA website. 6:00 – 9:00 pm | Playa Vista, CA | Register

Saturday, September 27 Cocktail Reception Join us for a cocktail reception with special guests Dr. James Turner and Dean Janice Turner! Tickets are $50 and include heavy hors d'oeuvres and beverages (soda and wine). $35 of the ticket price will be donated to the James & Janice Turner Scholarship Endowment. Donors will receive endowment donation recognition at the "Friend" level during CBAA 2015 Reunion. 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Playa Vista, CA | Register For additional information contact Deborah Arrindell at cornell79@icloud.com or 301.643.7339; or Ruth Trezevant Cyrus at cyrusruth@gmail.com.