What a Weekend!
Syracuse University welcomed a record 1,500+ Black and Latino alumni back to campus for the Coming Back Together reunion.
Pure joy permeated the Syracuse University campus from Sept. 12-15, during the 14th Coming Back Together (CBT) reunion held since its creation in 1983. While every CBT weekend is special, CBT 2024 was truly exceptional.
A record-breaking 1,500+ alumni participated, including 600 first-time attendees, with a substantial increase in young alumni and Latino alumni attending. The 80-degree summer-like weather providing the perfect backdrop to enjoy campus, reconnect and join in three days of jam-packed programming.
Highlights included the CBT Celebrity Classic, a charity basketball game featuring Orange legends from a variety of sports. A buzzer-beater shot from Lazarus Sims ’96 sent the game into overtime and Coach Billy Owens ’91 ultimately claimed victory for his team over opponent Coach Lawrence Moten ‘95. Darryl Bell ’85 moderated a panel discussion among A Different World cast members Kadeem Hardison (Dwayne), Cree Summer (Freddie) and Charnele Brown (Kimberly) with executive producers Lena Waithe AND Yvette Lee Bowser joining by video as surprise guests, in a conversation that was in turns hilarious, thoughtful and enlightening. There was a huge turnout to mix and mingle at the evening reception, followed by a hilarious Comedy Show featuring DL Hughley.
Alumni donors to the Barner-McDuffie House were celebrated at the official naming ceremony for the Barner-McDuffie House. JaNeika James G’05, executive producer, and Eric Jones ’99, vice president, creative, at Peacock, joined cast members of the hit show Bel-Air in two separate panel discussions, one at the Newhouse School for students, moderated by CBT student co-chair Jada Marie Knight ’25, and again as part of the CBT Live! talk show, moderated by radio personality (and Syracuse parent) Angie Martinez. In between those events, the Cookout on the Quad was a happening, with alumni DJs making it a real party.
The Saturday night Sneaker ball was held for the first time in the JMA Wireless Dome. In addition to being an occasion to show off fancy footwear and attire, alumni gathered to recognize Chancellor’s Citation recipients Abdul Karim Abdullah ’10, Ada Agrait ’94, Tara Favors ’95, JaNeika James G’05, Jason Olivo ’95 and Savalle Sims ’92, and Sade Muhammad ’12, who received the Young Alumni Award. Alumni Philanthropy was also honored, with recognition of Greek organizations who had raised more than $75,000 since the last reunion and individual donors of $25,000 and above.
The weekend concluded with a worship service featuring Dr. A.R. Bernard and Grammy-winning gospel singer Erica Campbell along with the incredible Black Celestial Choral Ensemble.
In addition to the fun and laughs—which were in no short supply—there was important networking and uplift throughout the weekend. Panel discussions focused on serious topics such as mental health, wealth building, politics and the impact of the Our Time Has Come Scholarship program. Networking and mentoring were front and center. “This CBT was really about connecting our more seasoned alumni with young alumni and students,” says Maria J. Lopez ’05, G’12, assistant director of scholarship programs for multicultural advancement.
That includes financial support for current and future students. “At CBT, we come back to give back,” says Rachel Vassel ’91, G’21, associate vice president of multicultural advancement.
Alumni can still contribute at CBT.syr.edu to help SUMA achieve its $1.5 million OTHC fundraising goal by the end of 2024.
For full coverage of CBT 2024, watch your mailbox for the Winter 2024 issue of the Syracuse Manuscript magazine, scheduled to arrive in early December. In the meantime, visit CBT.syr.edu for a recap video, photos and more.
Share your Experience!
Each CBT weekend builds on its predecessor. As we begin planning for CBT 2027 (believe it or not!), we’d like to know what you enjoyed most about this year’s reunion. If you attended CBT 2024 and you haven’t already, please share your opinion in this brief post-reunion survey https://syracuseuniversity.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_24b1dgykhLc9d9I.
Share your Photos!
Do you have great photos of CBT weekend? The Office of Multicultural Advancement would love to use them in our publications and social media. You can share them with us at this dropbox link https://www.dropbox.com/request/3M7Uw75HfWIb98YwPicC.