home on maternity leave and far from most of her Hollins classmates. Deeply affected by the Black Lives Matter movement and the divisive political climate, she reached out to the chapter. “I was searching for a way to get involved and make a difference for our community,” she said. “We wanted to create something so that Black students can turn to this resource for help.” Recalling her own challenges, she described how expensive it was for her to attend the prestigious Alvin Ailey dance program in New York one January Term. She stayed with a friend in New Jersey and took the daily train to Manhattan because she could not afford nearby housing. Support for the scholarship has blossomed, but Dokes noted that support for each other has been just as important. “I’m really grateful for these ladies, especially during a difficult time,” she said. “This has changed my life.” Davenport, who majored in economics, has worked on Wall Street since graduation. She noted that as a student she was able to accept an internship in expensive New York because she was from Brooklyn and could live at home. She recently formed her own trading and consulting company, which focuses on helping Black women, especially mothers, understand the stock market. “I want to help all women, but it’s especially important for Black women, who don’t often get the financial information they need,” said Davenport, a mother of two herself. Her experience in a male-dominated field taught her many things, one of which was that women need to support each other. She finds it remarkable that during the pandemic, a time when so many women were isolated, the chapter was able to make new and stronger connections. “It was the pandemic that got us together, and it was the pandemic and President Hinton that helped us make this scholarship a reality,” she said. “Our work is being recognized.” Hinton has made diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) a key and ongoing priority at Hollins, and noted that the increased connection with and between Black alumnae/i is part of the efforts. Nakeshia Williams, who began her role as vice president for DEI at Hollins in July, sees the long-term on-campus goals of this work as inextricably linked to building stronger bonds between the university and its alumnae/i of color. “HUBA is actively working with us to establish a legacy of learning and becoming something better and greater for young women 26 Hollins
of color at Hollins,” Williams said. “Together we are creating meaningful pathways for our students to start practicing the power of their voices so that our next generation can lead and deliberately foster change within their communities and beyond.” Davenport noted the full-circle feeling of creating a scholarship that grew from the needs she and the others had while students at Hollins. “We are using our voices as catalysts for change,” she said. “It’s a beautiful legacy.” Karen Adams (M.A. English/creative writing ’93, M.A. ’00 and M.F.A. ’10 children’s literature) is a local writer and teacher.
Interested alumnae/i are invited to consider purchasing a sweatshirt or T-shirt, with profits from the sale going to support the Hollins University Black Alumnae/i Scholarship dedicated to Mary “Miss Emma” Bruce and Hazel Lawson, two women who provided significant years of service to the Hollins community. This HUBA scholarship will be utilized by a student who identifies as a part of the African Diaspora and who seeks additional financial support for pursuing an internship. BOTH STYLES HAVE THREE DATES THAT SIGNIFY THE FOLLOWING:
1842—
First enslaved
1966—
First Black student enrolled
2020—
First Black president of Hollins
T-shirts ($25-$27) and hoodies ($51-$56) can be purchased through the Hollins Store (hollinsbookstore.com). Prices vary depending on size.
If you are interested in more information about the scholarship and/or joining the Facebook group, please contact the alumnae relations office at alumnae@hollins.edu.
