Syracuse Manuscript Rachel Vassel �91 Associate Vice President Mulitcultural Advancement Angela Morales-Patterson Director of Operations and Partnerships Mulitcultural Advancement Janey Ozoria Director of Development Mulitcultural Advancement Miko Horn �95 Director of Alumni Events Mulitcultural Advancement Maria J. Lopez �05, G�12 Assistant Director of Scholarship Programs Multicultural Advancement Ariel Maciulewicz Administrative Specialist Multicultural Advancement Angela Morales-Patterson Editor-in-Chief Renee Levy Writer/Editor George S. Bain G�06 Copy editor Quinn Page Design Design Office of Mulitcultural Advancement Syracuse University 640 Skytop Rd, Second Floor Syracuse NY 13244-5160 315.443.4556 f 315.443.2874 syracuse.edu/alumniofcolor suma@syr.edu Opinions expressed in Syracuse Manuscript are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of its editors or the policies of Syracuse University. � 2021 Syracuse University Office of Multicultural Advancement. All rights reserved. On the Cover: Clockwise from top, Oswaldo Ortega �05 and Gezzer Ortega �03; Michael Barbosa �96 and Tara Brown Favors �95; Gabriel Prepetit �22 and Cameron Joy Gray �22; Charles �90 and Monica Houston �90 12 14 3 30 24 37 CBT 2021: Celebrating 151 Years of Black and Latino/a Excellence 3 Our Time Has Come Scholarship Donors 20 Campus News 24 Alumni Profiles 30 Alumni News 32 In Memoriam 39 CONTENTS Above, BCCE performs at the CBT Sunday Worship Service. Left, CBT 2021 co-chairs Fatimah Moody �90 and Rosann Santos �95 But the universe had other plans. Like everything else last fall, CBT 2020 was rescheduled for 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A decision to move forward wasn�t made until spring when the COVID-19 vaccine became widely available. Even still, the emergence of new variants and changing protocols made it unclear whether CBT could or would happen. �It made event planning especially challenging,� says Miko Horn �95, director of alumni events in the Office of Multicultural Advancement. �We waited as late as we could to book talent and we just didn�t know how many people would show up. We had more than 45 events planned for the weekend, and we wanted people to be here to enjoy them.� For many, it was a last-minute decision. But despite the hurdles and apprehension, CBT 2021 brought a record 1,000 participants together on campus, including some 800 alumni and nearly 200 registered students, the most in history. �With everything going on in the world and all the responsibilities our alumni have, it�s very special that they continue to care deeply,� says Rachel Vassel �91, associate vice president for multicultural advancement. �It was especially meaningful for our alumni to connect with one another in person and for our students to feel the support and mentorship of those alumni.� �I was so happy to see people turn out and represent,� adds co-chair Rosann Santos �95. �It was wonderful to reconnect after such a tough year. And the weather was perfect, which none of us gets credit for.� From start to finish, CBT 2021 truly was a celebration of Black and Latino/a excellence, with alumni through the decades sharing their successes and talents, wisdom and experiences, over four days of jam-packed programming. It all began Thursday, Sept. 9, with an alumni book signing, headlined by Hollywood screenwriter and producer JaNeika James G�05; a job fair for students and alumni; the Orange Circle Awards Ceremony honoring philanthropic members of the Syracuse community; and the CBT Lecture, a virtual appearance with award-winning actress, singer and dancer Rita Moreno, who shared her path-breaking journey. That evening, alumni were able to check out the newly renovated Stadium while cheering on athletes from their own college days during the CBT Celebrity Classic basketball game, followed by the CBT Classic After-Party at Goldstein Auditorium. Friday began with the CBT Fun Run, Walk & Roll, followed by tours of new campus facilities, the Barnes Center at The Arch, a fitness center and hub for student wellness; the newly renovated Office of Multicultural Affairs and Intercultural Collective Center at the Schine Student Center; and 119 Euclid Ave., a new campus facility celebrating the Black student experience at Syracuse University. �I cried when we opened 119 Euclid to the Orange community,� says CBT student-co-chair Cameron Joy Gray �22, an Our Time Has Come Scholar who helped select artifacts and ephemera documenting the lives of Black students and Black people at Syracuse University to display in the house. �Our history and legacy at Syracuse will never be forgotten.� One of the exhibits at 119 Euclid covers the history of the Syracuse 8. The campus community was honored to have members of the Syracuse 8 on campus to commemorate the 51st anniversary of their protest and sacrifice. On Friday morning, the athletes participated in a panel on sport and social justice, moderated by Salatha Willis, associate athletic director of diversity, culture and climate. Later that afternoon, they shared their experiences and wisdom with current Syracuse University athletes. The Syracuse 8 were also honored throughout the weekend� at the Celebrity Classic basketball game, at the Chancellor�s Reception, and at the Gala and Sunday worship service. �The Syracuse 8 are a special group of people and we wanted to acknowledge and recognize the impact they made on our campus,� says Vassel. �Deborah �84 and Darlene Harris �84 partnered with us to make sure they were treated as VIPs the entire weekend.� On Friday afternoon, alumni and students attended receptions and panels sponsored by deans of Syracuse schools and colleges, and a variety of workshops led by alumni experts, ranging from finances and parenting to Making It in Hollywood. There were also gender-specific sessions designed to provide a safe space for conversation and sharing. Our Time Has Come Scholars at the Sunday Worship Service �The women�s workshop on love was really an unexpected treat and powerful conversation,� says Santos, who served as moderator. �We had amazing alumnae discussing the importance of self-love and forgiving those who have wronged you as a strategy for moving on. They also seamlessly incorporated the importance of diversity and inclusion in schools so that all children are loved, not just the ones that look like they belong.� Success and entrepreneurism were also on display at the Blackstone LaunchPad CBT Student Showcase, where diverse students pitched their startup ventures, and at the first-ever �Cuse Marketplace, which provided a venue for alumni entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services. The �Cuse Marketplace was featured on the Office of Multicultural Advancement�s Instagram story, allowing participants to reach a broader alumni community. �It was a great opportunity for alumni to network and share their businesses,� says co-chair Fatimah Muhammad Moody �90. �I think there is an opportunity for a lot of growth to expand the event in future CBTs.� Friday evening featured a reception outdoors at the home of Chancellor Kent Syverud and his wife Dr. Ruth Chen, followed by Crew Time, a dedicated time for alumni to gather with friends from various college groups. �Hanging out with my sisters from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. is always very special,� says Muhammad Moody. �It�s like going home for the holidays.� But that�s not all. The 10th anniversary celebration for the LaCasita Cultural Center featured a private showing of La Casita�s Cultural Center�s fall 2021 exhibit, Heart of Our Community, which honors the community of artists, educators, alumni, students and families who contributed to the achievement of this milestone. They also had a video and photo installation highlighting the achievements of SU students working with Latino/a communities in Syracuse. Michelle Walker-Davis �83, G�85, Gina Keller �89, Monica Houston �90, Michael Blackshear �91, Fatimah Moody �90, Candice Carnage �90, Steve Sallion �88 and Shawn Outler �89 enjoy the Celebrity Classic basketball game. The evening culminated with a live performance from Grammy-nominated trio SWV, which proved to be a crowd pleaser for all ages, followed by the 1911 After-Party sponsored by the Nupes and Ques. Saturday morning started with Syracuse University�s 20th Anniversary September 11 Memorial Service at Hendricks Chapel. Mid-morning, the campus community was treated to a virtual visit from Carmelo Anthony talking about his new book, Where Tomorrows Aren�t Promised. It was a gorgeous day for alumni and students to tailgate on the Quad, enjoying each other�s company, music, giveaways and Sal�s wings, before heading to the Stadium to see the Syracuse Orange take on Rutgers. For student co-chair Gabriel Prepetit �22, hanging out with alumni was a highpoint of the weekend. �It was great to be with the alumni in a laid-back setting outdoors on a beautiful day and hear back on their own past memories from Syracuse involving sports and gamedays,� he says. Many alumni cut out of the game early to attend the special reunion of cast members from the iconic television show A Different World, with a discussion led by Darryl M. Bell �85. For many, the culmination of the reunion were the Saturday evening festivities, a presentation of the Chancellor�s Citations Awards, followed by the CBT Gala, held for the first time under a tent at Drumlins. �We held the event under a tent as a COVID safety protocol, but it was truly magical,� says Horn. Due to the grassy locale, the event became CBT�s first Sneaker Ball, which quickly became a favorite among the ladies, who were able to pair comfortable footwear with their fancy evening attire. Alumni entered the tent via red carpet, where they were greeted by current Our Time Has Come Scholars. �They really made us feel like celebrities,� says Maliz Mahop �15, of the grand entrance. The evening, emceed by Danielle Nottingham �99, host of the Emmy-Award winning NBC show California Live, featured a virtual keynote address from Joy Reid of MSNBC, a surprise video message from director Ava Duvernay congratulating Kevin Richardson H�21 on his upcoming honorary degree (conferred the following week), jazz vocals from Marianne Solivan, assistant professor of applied music and performance, and of course, the announcement of fundraising milestones. �The Gala is always a bright spot because we are all in one space together and able to celebrate what we do to support our students,� says Vassel. �With everything going on in the world and all the choices our alumni have to support, it�s hugely special that they continue to care deeply about our students and supporting their needs.� Dwayne Murray �97, Nathena Murray �22 and Alison Murray �01 Malcolm Ali Davis �18 and Leslie Sanchez �18 Gospel great BeBe Winans with BCCE member Evelyn Ingram �90 Vassel was thrilled to announce that the Office of Multicultural Advancement had surpassed its fundraising goal for the event, beating the goal of $1.2 million to raise $1.29 million. Instrumental in that success were efforts made by various alumni groups, most notably, Delta Sigma Theta and Kappa Alpha Psi, for raising the largest endowments among sororities and fraternities, at $800,000 and $300,000, respectively. Syracuse University Trustee Deryck Palmer �78 announced the creation of a new scholarship in memory of fellow Kappa Jonathan Adewumi, a brother who attended Utica College but was well known to alumni as proprietor of a popular Nigerian restaurant in Brooklyn. Adewumi died earlier this year from complications of COVID-19 at age 57. The Gala was also opportunity to recognize the Syracuse 8 and to pay tribute to Robert Hill, creator of the CBT reunion and OTHC Scholarship program. �I have missed only CBT 2017. Seeing everyone and everything in 2021 made me feel as though I got my CBT rhythm back,� says Hill. CBT weekend closed with Sunday brunch and a worship service in the Stadium, featuring the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble and Grammy-winning gospel artist BeBe Winans. A special remembrance was made of alumni who have passed since the last reunion, with the names of each read aloud. The memorial segment also included tribute to John Goldbolt �73, a member of the Syracuse 8, and presentation of his Chancellor�s Medal to his sister. �Goldbolt on the field again,� declared teammate John Lobon �73, recognizing the full-circle moment. Holding the worship service in the Stadium rather than Hendricks Chapel was just one of many efforts made to provide a safe environment for all. Those efforts paid off, with no reports of any participants testing positive for COVID following the event. Alumni and students were left, however, with memories and inspiration for a lifetime. �I felt a great deal of nostalgia,� says Santos of the weekend. �Syracuse alumni really care about the University and about challenges Black and Latinx students have on campus.� That interest and concern made an impact. �My biggest takeaway is that the Orange family really does go very deep. There are so many people with such different walks of life and stories to tell who all went through this Syracuse University experience, and they all have one thing in common, a passion for this school and the drive to see it improve for all,� says student co-chair Prepetit. It�s changed his point of view. �My perspective is no longer �look how far this school has come� but �what difference can I make and what more can I do?� with the goal of paving a better way for those coming after me.� �Everyone left very full, very happy and excited to meet again,� says Mahop. Gisele Marcus �89 presents a ceremonial check from Delta Sigma Theta Inc. to Matthew Ter Molen, chief advancement officer and senior vice president of advancement and external affairs and Rachel Vassel �91, associate vice president of multicultural advancement. Candice Carnage �90 $ 109,000 Gisele Marcus �89 $ 100,000 Fatimah Moody �90 $ 36,000 Shawn Outler �89 $ 10,000 Alicia Carroll �88 $ 10,000 Deborah Harris �84 and Darlene Harris �84 $ 85,000 Candice Carnage �90 $ 13,000 Chancellor�s Citation Recipients Excellence in Military Service: Victor Holman Victor Holman �82 is a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army with more than 38 years of military and federal service. Since beginning his military career at Syracuse University ROTC as a second lieutenant, Holman has served in numerous leadership and staff positions, leading organizations, operations, training, maintenance and contingency planning. He serves as a senior director for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, where he directs key communications, budget management, administrative support and information technology for the commanding general and select staffs. Holman credits the academic rigor in the College of Arts and Sciences for preparing him to become a lifelong learner. �I was able to earn multiple master�s degrees and complete the most challenging Army officer career courses,� he says. �Practical leadership and problem-solving experiences such as Army ROTC and student government enabled me to successfully command military organizations from the entry level as a lieutenant to the senior level as a lieutenant colonel, and later lead federal teams at the executive level.� In 2014, Holman and his Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity brother Keith Brown �82 established an Our Time Has Come scholarship fund in support of underrepresented graduate students, which he continues to support. He is a member of the Syracuse University Multicultural Advancement Advisory Council and recently, with his wife Dakota Caine Holman �83, pledged a naming gift toward the revival and development of 119 Euclid Ave., a new cultural and community space for Black students on campus. Holman is also an avid supporter of Syracuse University�s Institute for Veterans and Military Families and a longtime attendee of CBT. Holman has received numerous awards for his achievements and service, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Superior Civilian Service Award and the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service. He earned a dual bachelor�s degree in English and psychology from the College of Arts and Sciences, a master�s degree in national strategy and security from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and a master�s in business administration from Central Michigan University. He is also a graduate of the School of Advanced Military Studies in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. �Receiving the Chancellor�s Citation for Military Excellence from Syracuse University was an extremely humbling experience,� says Holman. �To be recognized by my alma mater in this manner is one of the highest honors I could imagine.� Excellence in Sports: Felisha Legette-Jack Felisha Legette-Jack �89 is a former Syracuse University basketball star and head coach of the University at Buffalo (UB) Bulls women�s basketball team. As the winningest coach in program history at UB, Legette-Jack owns a 318-270 career head coaching record across 19 seasons, having led the Bulls to eight straight winning seasons. Prior to UB, she served as head coach at Indiana University and Hofstra University, as well as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Syracuse women�s basketball from 1993-2000. Legette-Jack is a Syracuse native who began her basketball career at Nottingham High School. While playing for the Orange, she scored 1,526 points and grabbed 927 rebounds, graduating as the all-time leading scorer and rebounder in program history. Legette-Jack now ranks eighth in scoring and fourth in rebounds. She won 1985 Big East Rookie of the Year honors, earned all-league laurels three times in her career and was the recipient of a LetterWinner of Distinction Award. Legette-Jack, who remains close to her Syracuse University teammates, participated in the Athlete�s Roundtable during CBT 2017. Legette-Jack is also an inductee into the Greater Syracuse Hall of Fame, the Syracuse Urban League Hall of Fame and the Syracuse University Orange Plus Hall of Fame. In 2017, she was named to Buffalo Business First Magazine�s annual Power 100 list of the most influential women in Western New York. �Syracuse helped mold my passion for humanity and my love for bringing others with me. It was the village approach that I loved at SU. It was about everyone succeeding,� says Legette-Jack. �The Chancellor�s Citation solidified that I am on the right path of growth. When your University says �a job well done,� it inspires me to want to do even more.� Excellence in Medicine: Dr. Gezzer Ortega Surgeon Gezzer Ortega �03 is lead faculty for research and innovation for equitable surgical care at the Center for Surgery and Public Health in the Department of Surgery at Brigham and Women�s Hospital of Harvard Medical School, and a health services researcher who focuses on developing and implementing solutions to address surgical inequities. Ortega is project director for the Provider Awareness and Cultural Dexterity Toolkit for Surgeons, a research project aimed at developing and evaluating a curriculum for surgical residents to improve cross-cultural communication and engagement. The project is being piloted at eight academic medical centers. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member at the Patient Reported Outcomes, Value and Experience Center at Harvard. He is also co-founder of the Latino Surgical Society, which supports the advancement of Latino/a/x surgeons. He endeavors to diversify the academic physician workforce. Born in a low-income Brooklyn neighborhood to immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic, Ortega is one of three siblings who are first-generation college students and alumni of Syracuse University. As an undergraduate, Ortega was a Collegiate Science and Technology Entry (CSTEP) Program Scholar, a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, a Gates Millennium Scholar, chapter president of Alpha Phi Alpha, and a recipient of the Ruth Meyer Undergraduate Research Scholar Award. �Having a broad foundation in liberal arts and sciences and the support of programs like CSTEP and McNair, and involvement in student organizations, created a skillset that guides me at every stage of my career,� says Ortega. After earning a bachelor�s degree in biochemistry from the College of Arts and Sciences, Ortega earned a medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine and a master of public health degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. As a Syracuse alumnus, Ortega is a member of the College of Arts and Sciences Dean�s Advisory Board, presented in panels at CBT 2014 and the Virtual CBT Connection Series in 2020, donates to the Our Time Has Come Scholarship Program, and most recently, served as the 2021 Convocation speaker for the College of Arts and Sciences and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Ortega is also passionate about mentoring Syracuse University pre�medical students who are at various points in their journey to becoming a physician and has guest lectured for health-related humanities courses. In 2020, Ortega was recognized as Health Provider of the Year by Building the Next Generation of Academic Physicians and Young Physician of the Year by the National Hispanic Medical Society. He also participated in the Emerging Leaders Forum for the National Academy of Medicine. �Receiving the Chancellor�s Citation is a monumental honor, as it reminds me of the diverse alumni who have contributed and continue to engage with Syracuse University to make the institution a critical aspect of the lives of students,� he says. �I am proud of my accomplishments and humbled by those of my colleagues who have also received the recognition. I am fortunate to have receive the award, but it is definitely on the efforts of my family, friends and people who have supported me along my journey.� Chancellor�s Citation Recipients Excellence in Business: Jacqueline Welch Jacqueline Welch �91 is executive vice president and chief human resources officer at The New York Times. She is the first Black woman in this role and only the second Black woman to be listed on the paper�s masthead. Welch leads The Times� human resources department and oversees all aspects of talent acquisition, career development, organizational development, equitable compensation practices, performance enablement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. Welch came to The Times with more than 20 years of executive experience in human resources, most recently serving as senior vice president, chief human resources officer and chief diversity officer at Freddie Mac since 2016. She served as senior vice president for international human resources for Turner Broadcasting System from 2010-13 and was senior vice president, talent management and diversity, from 2008-10. A native New Yorker of Caribbean and Central American descent, Welch came to Syracuse University after attending the Kent School on scholarship from the A Better Chance program. She earned a bachelor�s degree in English from the College of Arts and Sciences and cites Professor Janis Mayes as a major influence. As an undergraduate, Welch was a member of the Caribbean Students Association, helped resurrect The Black Voice newsletter, and competed on the women�s rowing team. �Even though the University was so big, these organizations created opportunities to be part of smaller communities and really dig in,� she says. �I appreciate all the resources available on campus to indulge my every curiosity.� Welch became inspired toward a career in human resources during a summer job with the Urban League of Onondaga County when she placed an older man in a much-needed job. His gratitude ignited in her a lifelong passion for helping people secure their livelihood. Welch continues to support Syracuse as a donor to the Our Time Has Come Scholarship Fund. In March 2021, she was a speaker on the CBT Virtual Connection Series Women�s History Month Panel and as a guest on the �Cuse Conversations Podcast. Welch earned a master�s degree in human resources management from The New School. She has served on the boards of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia, Zoo Atlanta, United Way of Greater Atlanta and the Children�s Museum of Atlanta. She serves as an independent director for Buckman, a privately held global specialty chemical and technology company. �Syracuse University was a place where I was allowed to bring my entire self and my ambitions and to hone them and to build them and to finally catapult into the world,� she says. �I am indebted to the University and all it provided me.� Young Alumni Award for Excellence in Fashion: Jasmine Jordan-Christmas Jasmine Jordan-Christmas �14, a sports marketing professional for Nike�s Jordan brand and fashion influencer, is the inaugural recipient of the CBT Young Alumni Award for Excellence. The daughter of basketball legend Michael Jordan, Jordan-Christmas is forging her own legacy in the sports industry and has worked closely with some of the most notable brands in sports over her 10-year career. In her current role as field representative for sports marketing, basketball and women�s with Nike, Jordan-Christmas manages athletes who represent the Jordan brand. She recently led an initiative to shape the future of basketball culture for women and young girls by expanding the brand�s WNBA roster to 11 active players, the largest in the brand�s history. Previously, she worked as operations coordinator for the Charlotte Hornets. Jordan-Christmas earned a bachelor�s degree in sport management from the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. She is married to her college sweetheart, former Syracuse basketball player Rakeem Christmas �14, and is the mother of a toddler son, Rakeem �Keem� Jr. She is an Our Time Has Come scholarship donor and supports her family�s philanthropic efforts through the Rakeem Christmas Foundation and the Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic in Charlotte, North Carolina. Last year, she graciously provided a special video message of encouragement for the Class of 2020�s virtual Commencement. �To be Orange means to be part of a family. No matter where you go, you�re going to find someone connected to Syracuse,� says Jordan-Christmas. �I am truly grateful to be the first young alum to receive this honor.� Orange Circle Awards Presented During CBT In conjunction with Coming Back Together 2021, Syracuse University recognized altruistic members of the Orange community with the Orange Circle Award. Introduced in 2009, the Orange Circle Award recognizes individuals and organizations that do extraordinary things in the service of others. Among this year�s honorees: Lisa Y. Gordon G�90 is president and chief executive officer of Atlanta Habitat for Humanity and a recognized leader in transformational real estate development, creating high-quality public and private legacy projects. In her role at Atlanta Habitat, she focuses on quality affordable housing, creating community spaces and neighborhood revitalization. Previously, Gordon served as vice president and chief operating officer of the Atlanta Beltline, a network of public parks, multi-use trails and transit along a historic 22-mile railroad corridor circling downtown Atlanta. She was elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administrators in November 2016. Gordon serves as chair of the advisory board of the Urban Land Institute Atlanta, as co-chair of the U.S. Council Advocacy Committee for Habitat for Humanity International and on the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs advisory board. Marcelle Haddix chairs the School of Education�s Reading and Language Arts department and is the inaugural co-director of the Lender Center for Social Justice. Her scholarly pursuits focus on the experiences of students of color in literacy and English teaching and teacher education, as well as the importance of centering Blackness in educational practices and spaces. Haddix facilitates many literacy programs in the Syracuse community, including the Writing Our Lives project for urban youth writers, a Black women�s literary club and a free library project. In conjunction with the Community Folk Arts Center in Syracuse, Haddix also created the program �Dark Girls: Celebration of Black Girlhood� in 2013 to support literacy, identity, self-esteem and social development of adolescent girls of color. Her work has earned her several awards, including the 2011 Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Teaching Recognition Award from Syracuse University. The Black Reign Step Team is a performance-based student organization at Syracuse University with deep connections to the Syracuse community. Black Reign gives back through service projects both on and off campus; team members regularly volunteer at Southside Academy Charter School, helping members of the school�s girls� step team improve their performances. In celebration of its 15th anniversary, Black Reign is hosting a banquet this semester to benefit the Southside step team. In 2018, Black Reign members collaborated with local musician Hughie Stone Fish on a music video depicting the beauty of the Syracuse community while showcasing the area in a positive light. This year, they performed at the annual OttoTHON Dance Marathon to raise money for the Golisano Center for Special Needs at Upstate Medical University, which provides services to children with disabilities from across Upstate New York. Additional organizational honorees include Food Busters, which works to improve literacy skills and public health awareness in the Syracuse community, and A Hand forWuhan, a fundraising effort to provide vital medical supplies to aid the city of Wuhan, China, organized out of the Center for International Students. Carmelo Anthony Joins CBTfor Virtual Book Talk D ubbed �A Fireside Chat with Carmelo Anthony,� the former Syracuse University basketball star and member of the Los Angeles Lakers, joined the Syracuse University campus virtually during Coming Back Together weekend to speak about his new book, Where Tomorrows Aren�t Promised: A Memoir of Survival and Hope. �The book was just released in September and we were very fortunate to hold one of his very first events promoting it,� says Miko Horn �95, director of alumni events for the Office of Multicultural Advancement. Horn hosted the event along with Chris Velardi, Syracuse University director of digital engagement and communications, chatting with Anthony from the stage in Goldstein Auditorium, with Anthony projected on the big screen. �We learned a lot more about Carmelo the person as opposed to Carmelo the outstanding athlete,� Horn says. As Anthony explained, his memoir focuses on the difficulties he faced growing up�poverty, racism and violence�and how those challenges molded him into the person he is today. The book follows Anthony from early childhood�he lost his father at age 2 to cancer�through his teenage years growing up in dangerous, drug-filled housing projects in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and later Baltimore. Although he grew up with hardship, Anthony talks about relying on his community, where everyone was going through the same things, and laments the loss of community today. �A lot of people don�t have goals and dreams,� he says. �There�s a lack of hope in those environments.� Anthony said when he was growing up, his goal was to graduate from high school and go to college. Basketball brought him to Syracuse University, where he found a home and was able to experience college life. �I was comfortable being on that campus,� he told those in attendance. �I�m indebted to Syracuse.� Anthony credits head basketball Coach Jim Boeheim for encouraging him pursue his next venture�professional basketball� but he remains connected to Syracuse. He says the book shows fans there is more to him than just basketball and �have conversations with people and connect with them on another level. �I just want you to understand who you are reacting to,� Anthony told the audience. �Now you know from the beginning what it took for me.� Rita Moreno Shares Message of Perseverance in CBT Lecture C BT co-chair Rosann Santos �95 could not have been more excited to book award winning actress and singer Rita Moreno to give the CBT Lecture. But like much in the last year, Moreno�s appearance wasn�t without a few bumps in the road. Due to rising COVID numbers, the 89-year-old actress chose to give her talk virtually to avoid travel. Then an hour before the lecture was to begin, she lost power at her California home. In the end, Moreno joined the CBT audience talking from a laptop in her daughter�s kitchen. It was the perfect setting for the legendary Puerto Rican actress to offer a candid account of her journey from a child with a heart set on performing to getting a lead role in West Side Story and her long career in educational television. She has won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards for her performances. In a conversation with Milton Rub�n Laufer, associate professor and director of the Setnor School of Music, Moreno shared stories of racism and sexism she faced, beginning on the set of West Side Story. As Anita, one of the iconic moments in the film is when she sings the song �America.� But when Moreno first received the lyrics, she was dumbfounded. The song originally opened with the words �Puerto Rico, you ugly island, island of tropic diseases.� �I can�t sing that,� Moreno recalled. �I can�t do that to my people.� As she contemplated quitting the production, she was fortunate to receive revised lyrics from composer Stephen Sondheim, with the line changed to �Puerto Rico, my heart�s devotion. Let it sink back in the ocean.� Apparently, a producer had approached Sondheim about the problematic lyrics, and he revised them. Despite winning both an Oscar and Golden Globe for her performance, Moreno�s career did not soar. Instead, she says she continued to receive offers for what she calls �Conchita Lolita� roles. Ultimately, Moreno found a home on educational children�s television shows such as The Electric Company and The Muppet Show, winning a Grammy and an Emmy. More recently, she�s enjoyed roles on Jane the Virgin and Netflix�s Latino remake of the sitcom One Day at a Time. This fall, she was the subject of a documentary of her life story, Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It, and plays Valentina in Stephen Spielberg�s remake of West Side Story, to release in December, which Moreno executive produced. Applying her experiences to today�s Black and Latino/a students, Moreno says her story is a living example of perseverance. �It�s easier said than done but you simply must not give up,� she says. �I was starstruck,� says film major Cameron Joy Gray �22, CBT student co-chair, of Moreno�s message. �Even though she had to join us virtually, her presence was truly bigger than life. She was so unreserved, vulnerable and transparent with us about what she went through to become such an icon, all the while giving us hope and encouragement to forge our own paths.� Keith Brown �82 at the CBT Alumni Art Exhibit, which featured his work Celebrating Black Excellence withArt A cultural mainstay of every Coming Back Together reunion is a curated art show at the Community Folk Art Center (CFAC). This year�s exhibit, Capturing the Essence of Beauty and Strength, featured the paintings of Keith Brown �82. Brown is executive vice president of content for Firelight Films and a member of the Office of Multicultural Advancement Advisory Council. He says having his work exhibited on campus was a �full-circle moment,� as his last painting class had been as a Syracuse University undergraduate. �It was very powerful seeing the work together as a collective and to share it with former classmates,� he says. �I was pretty emotional.� A talented artist in high school, Brown won many awards and was offered scholarships to art schools across the country. But coming from a working-class family in Freehold, New Jersey, the message was clear: Art is a hobby, not a way to earn a living. Brown majored in international relations at Syracuse, spent two years in the Peace Corps in Cameroon, and earned a master�s from the Columbia University School of Journalism in 1991. He spent nearly two decades as a broadcast journalist and media executive at CBS, NBC and PBS. In 2017, Brown�s daughter asked for an art studio for Christmas and Brown went all out on the art supplies. It was after a family trip visiting art museums in Spain that he picked up a paintbrush himself for the first time in decades. �It�s been an amazing journey,� he says of the last four years. �I�m indebted to Tanisha Jackson, director of CFAC, for pulling the exhibit together.� Brown says his artwork is influenced by his work as a journalist, his travels in Africa, his journey as a father and experiences as a Black man in America. �I feel like I always knew I�d return to art one day,� he says. Brown�s paintings are primarily portraits done in acrylic. �Black brotherhood, scenic travel destinations and the celebration of Black femininity are a few notable motifs in Brown�s portraits that collectively demand our respect and admiration,� wrote Jackson in her curator�s statement. �The women and men in his portraits call for us to see them.� In a new twist, alumni also had the opportunity to create art during CBT weekend, as part of the Alumni Mural Project, conceived by Jackson and Rachel Vassel �91, associate vice president for multicultural advancement, and facilitated by London Ladd �06, an illustrator who has painted murals of Frederick Douglass and Martin Luther King Jr. in downtown Syracuse. An instructor in the School of Art and M.F.A. student in illustration, Ladd created three digital murals representing the past, present and future of Syracuse University. Each included imagery meant to symbolize the pandemic and recent social justice struggles and had a question posted next to it, such as, �Tell us about a favorite memory or significant experience(s) you had as an SU student.� Visitors were asked to respond to the prompts using colorful markers on the wide borders of each mural. �Despite the many other activities and the distance of CFAC from main campus, we had many alumni and students come and participate in the project,� says Ladd. �It was a cool interactive project, and I was happy with how it turned out,� he says. The murals are intended to become part of the University�s permanent collection and will be displayed at various locations on campus. Orange LegendsTake the Court for OTHC C Coming Back Together weekend kicked off with a celebrity basketball game that featured some of the most legendary names in Orange history. Basketball greats Derrick Coleman �15 and Billy Owens �92 served as coaches for teams that included a roster of former basketball players, including Lazarus Sims �96, Lawrence Moten �95, John Wallace �12 and Mookie Jones �12; female players Erica Morrow �11, Iasia Hemingway �12 and Vera Jones �88, G�91; football players Rob Drummond �89, Duke Pettijohn �06 and Al Wooten �94, G�00; and track team member Mark Pryor �90. The CBT Celebrity Classic was initiated at CBT 2017 as a fundraiser for the Our Time Has Come Scholarship program. �The majority of the those who played in 2017 came back in 2021 because they had such a blast,� says Miko Horn �95, director of alumni events in the Office of Multicultural Advancement. �And they told their friends, so we had even more alumni who wanted to participate.� Proceeds from the game, held at the newly renovated Stadium, supported the Our Time Has Come Orange Legends Scholarship, created in 2020 by alumni athletes to support underrepresented students in need. �I think the cause, to bring underrepresented students to Syracuse University, that�s the joy all of us get out of this,� says Coleman. In addition to giving back, the game provided the opportunity for athletes of different eras�and sports�to interact with one another, and with current players who cheered from the sidelines. �They need to see the history and the pride we take in our Orange,�� says Owens. �They see us come back for things like this. Why? We don�t have to do this. We do this because we love Syracuse and we�re family.�� In a hard-fought contest, Owens� White team defeated Coleman�s Blue squad 66-65. The win was payback for Owens� loss to Coleman in the first CBT Celebrity game back in 2017. �The outcome was the perfect set-up for a grudge match at the next reunion,� says Horn. The following afternoon, many of those who participated in the game regrouped for a panel discussion, to share their challenges, experiences and successes with current student athletes. �To come back and uplift the next generation and show them what we�ve done, and what we can do, and where you can go, it�s a blessing. It�s an honor for me to be a part of it,� says Sims. Iasia Hemingway�12 (left) was one of many alumni athletes who participated in the CBT Celebrity Classic to raise funds for the Our Time Has Come Scholarship Fund. At right, members of the White team celebrate their win. Darryl M. Bell Hosts Different World Reunion During CBT F rom 1987 to 1993, the NBC television show A Different World introduced American viewers to the world of historically Black colleges and universities, showcasing a multicultural cast in the process. The Cosby Show spin-off followed students at Hillman College, a fictional historically Black college in Virginia, which was inspired by student life at Howard University. �For many of us who became first-generation college students, it was that show that gave us our first view of people who looked like us going to college,� says Rachel Vassel �91, associate vice president for multicultural advancement. �It was really a commercial for higher education for a generation of Black and brown people.� That�s why she was especially pleased to work with Darryl M. Bell �85 to bring his castmates to campus for their own reunion within the Coming Back Together (CBT) reunion weekend. Bell was on campus for the weekend along with castmate Jasmine Guy, while Kadeem Hardison and Cree Summer joined remotely via livestream. Bell, who played student Ron Johnson on the show, shared how his Syracuse University experiences influenced the role he played on the show, which was known for tackling issues still relevant on campuses today, such as racism and sexual assault. The show rated in the top five TV shows throughout the duration of its run and hit No. 1 after an episode written by Guy about a cadet who was drafted and about to be sent to Iraq, which aired at the beginning of the tension between the United States and Iraq. �One reason A Different World has stayed evergreen is because the problems are the same,� said Bell. Indeed. Despite the show being 30 years old, it continues to inspire generations of students. �My younger brother is 21, and he watches the reruns all the time,� says Maliz Mahop �15, a global communications specialist and CBT volunteer who was the talent handler for Bell and Guy during their visit. �I was really impressed by the high caliber of the programming all weekend, but for me, this was a CBT high point.� The castmates�all still close friends�shared stories about how they met and were cast, as well as the unexpected and enduring influence of the show. Bell said that he still gets misty-eyed when people give credit to A Different World for pursuing higher education. The program was sponsored by Epiphany Blue, a corporate event planning agency owned by Tamekia Flowers-Ball �97. �Words will never express what this show meant to me as a teenager and what it still means to me today,� says Ball. �Growing up, I did not have an example of a college student in my family. But the examples I did have were Whitley, Dwayne, Ron, Kimberly and Freddie.� Ball says A Different World inspired her to go to college, empowered her to know it was an attainable goal, and led her to explore Greek life and become a member of Zeta Phi Beta. �It was truly remarkable to share this moment with hundreds of my fellow SU Orange who feel the same way about A Different World as I do,� says Ball. �To know that this sponsorship provided a unique experience for those in attendance meant the world to me.� Bell and Jasmine Guy chat about their experiences remotely with Kadeem Hardison and Cree Summer. ItTakes aVillage: Generation Orange Steps Up P utting together a four-day weekend with more than 45 events for hundreds of out-of-town guests is a huge undertaking, one greater than can be handled by the small staff of the Syracuse University Office of Multicultural Advancement (SUMA) alone. CBT 2021 benefitted from the expertise of several young alumni who joined the team for the weekend to lend their talents. All are members of what Syracuse University refers to as Generation Orange, alumni within 10 years of graduating, and former Our Time Has Come Scholars. Brooklyn-based photographer Alberto Lainez �19 jumped at the chance to photograph CBT when asked by Maria J. Lopez �05, G�12, assistant director of scholarship programs for SUMA. �I primarily work with small businesses of color or shooting headshots for actors and musicians, so I thought this would be a great opportunity to work with an institution doing something on a larger scale,� he says. Although Lainez attended a few workshops at CBT 2017 as a first-year student, covering almost every event throughout CBT 2021 provided a far greater experience. �It was very refreshing to see all these alumni come back and to see how much love and respect they have for Syracuse,� he says. �Now I see why it�s so important as an alumnus of color to really stay involved with the Syracuse community.� S.I.Newhouse School of Public Communications graduate and aspiring actress Gaelyn Smith �20, G �21 served as social media manager for the weekend. �Maria Lopez and I had a conversation at a pre-CBT event about promoting CBT to target younger alumni. I had just left my position as a social media manager at an agency, and the rest is history,� she explains of her involvement. Smith spent the weekend attending events and posting about them to SUMA�s Instagram and Facebook accounts. �Returning as a recent alumna and getting to connect with current students, faculty and other alumni was so much fun,� she says. �As a result of my participation, I now realize how much effort goes into planning and executing the reunion. I am so much more appreciative of the work that Rachel, Miko, Angela and Maria do on a constant basis to make sure that students like me finish strong at SU.� Maliz Mahop �15, a global communications strategist in Dallas, served as special assistant to Rachel Vassel �91, associate vice president for multicultural advancement, during CBT weekend. Mahop has extensive experience working with SUMA, starting from her time as a work study student in the office, assisting during CBT 2017 and on events in Los Angeles. This was her largest role to date. �I handled Rachel�s itinerary and made sure she was in the right place at the right time,� Mahop explains. �Everyone wants to engage with her, but keeping on the time schedule is really important, especially with so many events.� In addition, Mahop had the honor of hosting VIP guests Darryl M. Bell �95 and Jasmine Guy, castmates from the hit television show A Different World. �I helped them get from one place to the next while people were trying to take a thousand pictures with them,� she says. �In the process, I got to learn a lot about them and hear about their experiences. That was honestly a dream come true for me, so the opportunity to volunteer at CBT was truly a privilege.� Mahop was impressed that a small team could put together the quantity of premium content in such a short amount of time. �Being able to be back on campus and engage in this way felt special,� she says. �Everyone left full and happy and excited to come back together again.� Our Time SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Gifts received between July 1, 2021�October 15, 2021 GIVING LEVEL OF $100,000 -$249,999 Candice Carnage �90 Gisele Marcus �89 GIVING LEVEL OF $10,000 -$24,999 Lisa Cohen and Vincent Cohen �92 Linda Fuller �76 Galaxy Media Dakota Holman �83 and Victor Holman �82 LinkVisum Consulting Group Keith Moody �89 and Fatimah Moody �90 National Grid Wegmans Gwynne Wilcox �74 GIVING LEVEL OF $5,000 -$9,999 Angel Broadnax and Walter Broadnax �75 Candace Campbell Jackson and Mark Jackson Alicia Carroll �88 Delta Beta Executive Alumni Foundation Epiphany Blue Stacey Hamilton �89 ImpactAssets JaNeika James �05 and JaSheika James Heather Keets Wright �92 and Mark Wright Anthony Morgan �81 Ernest Newborn and Josephine Stovall-Newborn Shawn Outler �89 Jordan Pynes �98 and Sahara Pynes �98 Strada Education Network GIVING LEVEL OF $1,000-$4,999 American Express Foundation Robert Blair �83 Benevity Anthony Townes and Mariama Boney �96 Beatrice Harris-Brooks and David Brooks �82 Kenneth Brown �89 Dawn Butler �74 Valerie Cabrera and Richard Goldberg Jennifer Callender and Barry Callender �80 Jasmine Jordan-Christmas �14 and Rakeem Christmas �14 Jose Cruz �99 Richard Dillon �88 Billy Dorante �83 and Jacqueline Dorante �84 Danielle Douglas �88 Stephanie Dyer �74 Barbara Edouard �95 Alonzo Etheredge �85 Tara Favors �95 and Dale Favors Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Charles Flack �88 Leonard Garner �74 and Robin Garner Pia Gero �86 June Grant �87 Jared Green �01 and Camille Green Robert Gregg Melissa Holloway �91 Patricia Hurlock �85 IBM Corporation Matching Grants Division Chino Ingram and Evelyn Ingram �90 Alfreida Kenny �72 Lisa Lewis �91 DeBorah Little �14 Trevor McKenzie �86 Medtronic Foundation Freddy Morales �97 Nordstrom Inc. Gezzer Ortega �03 Doris Parris �85 Cyrille Phipps �87 Michael Pitts and Samaria Harris-Pitts �83 Lisa Postell �87 Sharon Primus and Elegear Primus �83 Matthew Sanders �03 Sarah Brown Catering Inc. Camille Simpson �95 Sheri Spears and Richard Spears �84 Johnnie Spicer and Lia Miller �99 Michelle Waites �84 and April Holder Rachel Williams �04 Dianna Wilson �87 Tyrone Woodyard �85 YourCause GIVING LEVEL OF $500 -$999 Rosalyn Allman-Manning �75 Richard Appiah �96 and Marsha Style Appiah �00 Lydia Aquino �03 Michael Bell �79 Sean Bergan and Nkenge Bergan �95 Bernadette Biggs �85 Dominick Bioh �92 and Cynthia Robinson-Bioh Victor Bosier and Tanya Jones Bosier �95 Lisa Brabham �86 Sanford Brown �88 and Lori Brown �89 Colgate-Palmolive Company CyberGrants Inc. Martin Davis �78 and Michelle Walker-Davis �82 Ingrid DiMarzo �94 Gregory Downing and Brianna Downing �99 Tamara Dukes �93 Waldo Escolastico �93 Jason Foy �91 Frontstream Archie Gilchrist �75 Felicia Griffin �87 Ronald Harvey �12 Geoffrey Johnson �78 and Avon Hart-Johnson Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies Tiffani Johnson Barnes �89 and Renard Barnes �87 Laraine Jones �75 and Rufus Jones �75 Lisa Lattimore �91 and Todd Lattimore LaQuawn Loving �09 Has Come Patrick Lyons and Kelly Starling-Lyons �93 Richard Manigault �83 Walter Marable �92 C. Moorehead �87 Michele Murdock �85 and Paul Murdock �85 Ferlanda Nixon �85 and Milford Nixon Kellie Porter �99 Shamara Ray �93 Michele Richardson �99 Theresa Rivera �86 William Robinson and Deirdre Robinson �82 Michael Rosero �98 Steve Sallion �88 Peter Scales �71 and Martha Scales Delta Sepulveda and Alexander Sepulveda �93 Lori Smith-Britton �92 and Milton Britton Jamella Swift �93 Don Vassel �89 and Rachel Vassel �91 Verizon Foundation Nila Williams �96 and Jeff Williams Charles Willis �90 Dale Wilson �87 Alfred Wooten �94 Andrea Wright �96 GIVING LEVEL OF $100 -$499 Issaka Amadu Morris Anderson �88 Edwin Arboleda �97 Yolanda Arrington �00 Maliek Ball �98 and Tamekia Flowers-Ball �97 Troy Ballard and Susan Ballard Tracy Barash �89 Michael Barbosa �96 Paul Barbosa �11 Belinda Barr-Tabron �75 Marilyn Batchelor �18 Donya-Gaye Becton �03 and Nashone Becton �02 Danielle Beidleman �97 Jasmine Bellamy �92 Troy Black Bruce Blaylock �87 Carolita Blythe �89 Erik Bortz �11 James Breed and Bianca Caiella Breed Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Hewitt Bryan Karen Burgess �92 Francis Carrero �10 Andre Cole �96 Alphonso Collins �84 and Kim Lewis-Collins �84 Shari Crittendon �84 Martin-Abdul Davis �12 Timothy Davis �91 and Debra Davis Sadie Davis �75 Valerie Daye �85 Beatrice Dewberry �90 Wesley Dias �74 and Joyce Willis Cheryl Dixon-Hills �75 Charmen Douglas �85 Patrick Douglas �15 Michele Edwards and Robert Edwards �85 Laura Enslin and Robert Enslin Taharka Farrell �91 and Ingrid Myrie �94 Bryant Fields Leon Foster and Deborah Foster �75 Marquise Francis �13 Jade Fulce �08 Amos Gainey and Lynne Gainey �81 Errol Gamory �88 Angela Gascho �91 Francine Gennuso and Joseph Cruz �74 Crystal George �84 Nicholas George �20 Naima Gibson �95 Tamara Glasgow �99 Harold Gordon and Lisa Gordon �90 Kwame Griffith and Patricia Leon-Guerrero �04 Allen Groves Lynette Hall �89 and Millard Hall �88 Shawnequa Harding �92 Kasandra Harley �91 Kimberly Harris �88 Kimberly Harris �09 Keith Henderson Alton Hicks and Tanya Hicks �01 Reba Hodge �02 Jean Edwards Houston �90 and Charles Houston �90 Ann Huff �87 Chinemere Iregbulem-McGrath �95 Edward Jackson�86 Pamela Jackson �97 Mario Jenkins and Colette Williams �88 Todd Jenkins Venida and Rodman Jenkins �88 Michael Johnson �87 and Lia Johnson Michael Johnson Juleen Johnson �07 Lisa Johnson and Keith Johnson �89 Tawanda Johnson �91 Kevin Jones �80 JPMorgan Chase & Company Kafele Khalfani �96 Laurie Kingsberry �82 Michelle Lee �90 Timothy Lester �99 and Dana Lester �95 Kim Lewis-Collins �84 and Alphonso Collins �84 Jocelyn Lindsay �24 Dorcca Lopez Luis Lopez �06 and Damaris Lopez �05 Eric Lunsford and Tammy Powell �90 Carleen Lyken �94 Marie Lynch �85 Conor Lyons Oliver Mack �95 and Sandra Mack �89 Richard Mair �86 Digna Marte �95 and Jason Martin Our Time SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Gifts received between July 1, 2021�October 15, 2021 Wayne Martin and Donine Carrington Martin �91 Andre Martineau and Suzette Melendez Antonio Martinez Gloria Matthews Kilpatrick �90 and George Kilpatrick �81 Nicole Mayo �01 Kadidra McCloud �99 Jocelyn McGhee �76 Andrea McKay-Harris and Austin Harris Evelyn Moris �85 Daniel Nash �64 Elgin Neal Samuel Nelson �84 and Sonya Nelson �85 Vanessa Nicholls �88 Kashieka Nzioka �10 and Muthama Nzioka Tina Opie and Fred Opie �86 Shannel Parker �99 Charmon Parker Williams �78 Angela Peterson �83 Donza Poole �82 Tommy Popps �00 Kerri Powell-Robbins �90 Shamieka Preston �97 Stephanie Ramsey �95 Olivia Rayn�01 J. Rice �94 and Angelique Rice �92 Phillip Rich Angela Rimmey �83 Veronica Rosario �94 Jason Rubin and Andrea Marsh �87 Michael Sales and Meka Sales �94 Almirca Santiago �06 Chelsea Scott �08 Jonathan Simmons and Debra Adams Simmons �86 Thomasina Skipper �76 Donna Smith �91 Mylinda Smith and Roosevelt Wright �93 Virgilio Soler Gwendolyn Sparks �85 Edwina Stephenson �76 Brenda Stith-Finch �75 Bernard Tarver �82 Sharon Taylor �75 Karen Thomas �91 Kenyona Thomas �20 Amber Thompson and Ian Thompson �01 Rachel Thompson and Norman Thompson �94 Troy Tomlinson �97 and Michelle Tomlinson �97 Christopher Tompsett �83 Ileana Ungureanu �06 Carlos Velazquez �02 Jenice View �80 and Colin Danville �80 Arlene Vital �96 Irja Walcott �93 James Walsh and Augusta Bolles �71 Darryl Washington �87 and Dawn Hobdy �89 Jason Watkins �06 and Nicole Watkins �93 Hillary Webb and Aaron Ganaway �87 Na�Tasha Webb-Prather �11 Wells Fargo Foundation Demietra Williams �98 Denise Williams �86 and Eric Williams �86 Michele Williams �88 and Anthony Williams Maxine Williams �77 Sheree Williams �94 Kim Williamson �87 Justina Young �04 Theresa Young �90 GIVING LEVEL OF UP TO $99 Jane Adetola �99 Carl Agard �92 AIG Jose Alfonso Benjamin Allen �18 and Annice Allen �17 Neema Amadala �17 Afriyie Amankwaa �21 Mary Anagnost �86 Tasha Andre �15 Anonymous Gerson Anton �21 Abdulmalik Badamasuiy Valerie Banks �89 David Barbier �24 Dwayne Beasock Yalonda Bey �21 and Davine Bey Alicia Blaisdell-Bannon �74 Yolanda Blaize �96 Jennifer Braxton �95 Yvette Brown �82 Kathryn Byrnes �99 Soroya Campbell �97 and Shawn Campbell Sherry Carey Candace Carter �99 Jimmy Ceballos �14 and Angie Toribio �14 Beth Celona Laura Chamber and lain Thomas Organ Alice Chin �89 Jermaine Coles �21 David Collins and Shayla McCullough-Collins �05 Ernest Colvin �87 Lisa Conklin �82 Abigail Covington �20 Theresa Cross �99 Anthony Dabbundo �21 Kelsey Davis �20 Mary Ellen DeGeorge and William Boghosian �73 Robert Delaney Mohammad Diallo �13 Michael DiNardo �20 Denise Dyce Andrew Eastham �09 Chanee Fabius �09 Robert Fairfield and Danielle Fairfield Simone Fields �03 Kyle Frias �11 Has Come Monique Frost and Donald Frost �84 Anthony Fulton �82 Reginald Gardner and Lindy Christopher Sandra Gittens Heather Gleason �93 Rhonda Green and Benjamin Green �08 Rajesh Gunreddi �06 Michelle Hall Sheila Hall �95 Ebony Harris �95 and Che Harris Judith Hawley Conley �75 Jessie Hill Christine Holland-Morrow �96 Katherine Hoole �13 and Raghu Menon Felicia Horn �95 Kathryn Hudson �10 and Samuel Haymon �10 Nikita Hunter �99 Sahil Jain �13 Sheri James �96 Ud Joseph �25 Patrick Jourdain �20 Alexander Kean Ian Kean Limnyuy Konglim �05 Steven Lane �93 and Heather Lane Sandra Lawrence �86 Legal Pro LLC Charles Lerner �14 Lizette Lewis �13 Keri Lowder �95 Nyota Lucas �01 Maliz Mahop �15 Gianna Mangicaro �18 and Christopher Szlamczynski �18 Jasmine Mangum �16 LaTisha Marshall �98 and Rasheed Marshall �96 Gerardo Martinez �15 David Mayes �20 Joshua McCleary �18 Tamara McGill Damaris Mercado �03 Yolanda Mitchell �13 Erika Morant �07 Dan Mort Dante Moss �18 Nzyuko Munguti �12 Anwar Nasir �06 Shannon Newkirk-Denny Laura Njanga �96 Kenneth Orlowski �95 and Teresa Orlowski Nicholas Palmateer �15 and Nateasha Palmateer Eric Patterson �12 and Angela Morales-Patterson Shelda Perkins �94 Michelle Perrin-Steinberg �05 Jeannette Perry �95 and Christian Perry �94 Robyn Phillips-Pendleton �95 and Jewell Pendleton �97 Gabriel Prepetit �22 Astrid Quinones �18 Denise Rasberry �94 Michelle Reason �02 Hannah Rebar �18 Peter Reckseit �84 and Milena Reckseit �85 Amy Ribar �17 Candice Richardson �90 RLI Insurance Company Grant Robinson �83 Franklin Romero �14 Denisse Rosario Reyes �20 Kenneth Rose �90 Allison Roth �15 Sean Royes Joshua Santola and Kendall Santola Don Sawyer �03 Shamel Schand �07 Craig Sherman �86 Sigma Lambda Upsilon Senoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority Inc. Gaelyn Smith �20 Justin Smith �14 Nehemiah Solomon and Allison Mitchell �08 Alexis Stanley �07 Kamille Stewart �14 Ronald James-Terry Taylor �15 Jasmine Thomas �10 Jasmine Thompson �07 Angie Toribio �14 and Jimmy Ceballos �14 Katherine Tran �17 Craig Tucker Chris Velardi �95 and Karen Velardi DeArbea Walker �18 Kevin Wall �94 and Kelly Wall �02 Jasmin Waterman �03 Nicole Watkins-Bouhbal �85 Stefanie White �18 Daisy Williams �93 Kenneth Williams �87 and Kathleen Williams �87 Lakeisha Williams Deborah Williams-Lofton �83 and Julius Lofton John Woltman �18 Omar Woodham �10 and Ann-Marie Woodham Holly Zahn �12 and Rory Shannon �11 CAMPUSnews Kevin Richardson Awarded Honorary Degree at Commencement 2020 C ommencement for the Syracuse University Class of 2020 was just one milestone upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. But on Sept. 19, 2021, proud graduates and their families gathered in the Stadium for a long overdue celebration of their achievements. It was a particularly poignant moment for one graduate, Kevin Richardson H�20, who made history as Syracuse University�s first undergraduate honorary degree recipient. Richardson is a member of the Exonerated Five, who were wrongly convicted in 1989 of attacking and raping a woman in Central Park as teenagers. Richardson had dreamed of attending Syracuse University for music and playing trumpet in the marching band, but his aspirations were halted by his wrongful conviction. He served more than five years in a juvenile detention facility, where he earned an associate degree and pursued a bachelor�s degree. He and the other men were exonerated in 2002 when another person admitted to the crime. The story of the Exonerated Five was highlighted in 2019 in the Netflix four-part series When They See Us. Since his exoneration, Richardson has been an advocate for criminal justice reform, working with The Innocence Project, a nonprofit organization that works to free those wrongly accused and reform the criminal justice system that allows unjust imprisonment. His efforts helped pass a law to film interrogation of minors from the beginning process to the end to avoid coercion, which occurred in his case. �To be recognized by the University, that�s a really big deal,� says Richardson of his honorary degree. �I brought my 13-year-old to witness it, to carry my legacy. To be the first of anything is a blessing and I�m extremely humbled by it.� In 2019, Syracuse University established the Our Time Has Come Kevin Richardson Scholarship, which gives preference to underrepresented students with financial need. Richardson became the first honorary undergraduate degree recipient, at Commencement 2020. 119 Euclid Ave. Opens Doors to Students t was a milestone moment on Sept. 7 when Syracuse University held a grand opening celebration for 119 Euclid Ave., a new campus space for Black students and those interested in Black history and culture. �Those of you that have hope for a better tomorrow, a piece of that is here now,� Student Association President Malique Lewis �24 told those at the event. �Those of you that have hope for change, a piece of that is here with us today.� A former residential home that had most recently been used as University administrative space, 119 Euclid Ave. has been reimagined through extensive input from Black students, faculty, staff and alumni, under leadership from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. From spaces for quiet study to social gatherings, from artwork to furniture, Black students shaped the look and feel of the new 119 Euclid. �119 Euclid Ave. provides students with more than a physical location to gather, study and relax. It serves as a place to find community, build connections and celebrate the longstanding history, traditions and contributions of the Black community on campus. It is a great enhancement to the student experience,� says Allen Groves, senior vice president for the student experience, who offered remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. �The opening of this space marks an important and meaningful celebration of community, belonging, engagement, inclusion and history.� �The space represents mutual understanding and support within the context of a broader campus community committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.� �Rachel Vassel �91, Associate Vice President Office of Multicultural Advancement Indeed, the building has history as a community space for Black students. Alumni who toured 119 Euclid during the Coming Back Together reunion recalled eating communal Sunday dinners at was then known as the BeBe House. �They recalled the house being in pretty bad shape and were proud to see it renovated so beautifully and with a beautiful new kitchen,� says Rachel Vassel �91, associate vice president, Office of Multicultural Advancement. The new facility is an outcome of student demand for the University to foster a more diverse and inclusive campus environment following the #NotAgainSU protests in fall 2019. �We believe that 119 Euclid will quickly become a vital part of the student experience at Syracuse University,� says Vassel. �The space represents mutual understanding and support within the context of a broader campus community committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.� Alumni supported the project through naming opportunities throughout the facility. Vassel says the opportunity remains to name the entire building with a $1 million gift. �The support of African American donors in this space has been tremendous,� she says. �It�s been a wonderful opportunity for donors to provide inspiration for our students through naming gifts while celebrating our rich history at Syracuse University.� The ribbon-cutting ceremony for 119 Euclid Ave. officially opened the space as a hub for Black students and those interested in Black history and culture. CAMPUSnews Search Formed for New Chief Diversity Officer S yracuse University has launched a search committee charged with identifying the University�s next chief diversity and inclusion officer (CDIO). Co-chairs of the committee are Cerri A. Banks �00, G�04, G�06, vice president of student success and deputy to the senior vice president of student experience, and Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel. �The significance of this position and its impact on the campus community has grown over the years,� says Chancellor Kent Syverud. �Not only does the chief diversity and inclusion officer provide leadership, oversight and vision, but the leader plays a pivotal role in how we move forward collaboratively and urgently in implementing initiatives that advance diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.� The CDIO position was created in 2018 and held by Keith Alford, former professor and chair of the Falk College�s School of Social Work. Alford left Syracuse University after 25 years in August to become dean of the University of Buffalo School of Social Work. �Keith is well known on our campus for his grace, compassion and commitment to serving our students. His long and distinguished career at Syracuse University will have a lasting impact on our community. He will be missed by all who�ve worked closely with him over the years,� says Syverud of Alford�s departure. In his role as CDIO at Syracuse, Alford led the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Strategic Planning Task Force in the creation of Syracuse University�s first strategic plan on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. �I am so proud of the work done by dozens of individuals who, in this process, brought diverse viewpoints, honesty and understanding to a process that will serve our students, faculty and staff for generations to come,� he says. Chandice Haste-Jackson Named Interim Director of First-Year Seminar handice Haste-Jackson, associate teaching professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science in the Falk College, has been appointed interim director of the First-Year Seminar course. The First-Year Seminar course is part of a change to the undergraduate curriculum and replaced the SEM 100 course for all incoming undergraduate students in Fall 2021 semester. Along with the inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) course requirement, the First-Year Seminar is part of a commitment the University made to students in the 2019-2020 academic year requiring all students to take courses covering IDEA topics. �Syracuse University is a microcosm of the world, and students who live and study with us must have opportunities to develop their awareness, knowledge and communication ability around the critical issues in our society. The new course is designed to help students participate in active learning around topics that affect them as global citizens,� says Haste-Jackson. The First-Year Seminar is a one-credit course that meets in small groups to engage all first-year and transfer students in guided conversations, experiential activities and written assignments on topics related to belonging, interdependence, health and wellness, identity, socialization, prejudice, discrimination, bias and stereotype. �Being aware of bias, stereotype, prejudice and discrimination builds a foundation for students to develop knowledge of themselves and how they relate to others,� says Haste-Jackson. �This is critical and will help them to thrive during their time at Syracuse and subsequently put them in a position to succeed in their future professions, where they may be called upon to work with people from all backgrounds and cultures.� Janey Ozoria Joins SUMA as Development Director J aney Ozoria has been hired as the new director of development for the Office of Multicultural Advancement, based at Lubin House in New York City. Ozoria joins SUMA from Prep for Prep, a leadership development nonprofit that helps students of color prepare for admission to independent schools and succeed in college. She served as director of development, managing a four-person team responsible for raising $10 million annually through special events, institutional giving and individual giving programs. Before Prep for Prep, Ozoria worked with the chief development officer at Let�s Get Ready, a nonprofit providing educational support for underrepresented students seeking a college education, where she expanded its corporate and foundation, national major gifts and annual giving pipeline as well as development operations and served as director of development at City College of New York, working with deans and faculty to secure major and planned gifts. She holds a master�s degree in nonprofit management from Columbia University. �My goal is to build meaningful relationships on behalf of SUMA and secure philanthropic support that will increase the number of scholarships we provide to our high-achieving students,� Ozoria says. CAMPUSnews Graduate School Announces Initiative to Support BIPOC Students T obuild community, provide peer support and a sense of welcome, the Graduate School has launched Graduate School BIPOC Alliance for Excellence (GSBA), an initiative to support graduate students who self-identify as Black, Indigenous or other persons of color (BIPOC). �We have heard from our graduate students that there is a need to foster support for BIPOC students to enable academic success and enrich the student experience,� says Peter A. Vanable, dean of the Graduate School. The goal of the organization is threefold: to bring students together through events and social activities; to provide mentorship from peers and BIPOC faculty members; and provide resources that foster academic and career success. More than 150 students attended GSBA�s inaugural event in September, a panel about challenges for BIPOC graduate students and strategies to build community on campus. �After being online or isolated for much of last year, students are eager to make connections with others,� says Phillandra Smith, a Ph.D. candidate in special education who helped coordinate the event. The GSBA is open to all master�s and Ph.D. students at the University, from any background, race, gender or other identity. �We have heard from our graduate students that there is a need to foster support for BIPOC students to enable academic success and enrich the student experience.� �Peter A. Vanable, Dean, Graduate School Architecture Students Awarded Rising Black Designers Scholarships T Two School of Architecture students have received a prestigious national scholarship for young Black designers from Gensler, one of the world�s largest design and architecture firms. Krystol Austin G�22 (M.Arch.) and Coumba Kant� �22 (B.Arch.) were named two of the 15 winners of the inaugural Rising Black Designers Scholarship and Design Challenge. Shiori Green �22 (B.Arch.) was also selected as one of the finalists in the competition. This new scholarship works to break down the barriers of entering the architectural profession by creating educational opportunities and materials resources to help talented design students overcome the costs associated with higher education. The program awards tuition scholarships, micro-scholarships for books and materials, and opportunities for summer internships to underrepresented Black students enrolled in U.S. not-for-profit architecture programs. LINDA FULLER �76 Paying It Forward I t�s no secret that the cost of college has escalated dramatically in the last two decades, putting higher education out of reach for many low-income students. But Linda Fuller D.O., MPH intends to make a college degree attainable for first-generation underrepresented students. In June, Fuller fully endowed the Our Time Has Come Dr. Linda J. Fuller Scholarship at Syracuse University. More than most, Fuller understands the impact a college scholarship can have. Growing up in the Washington, D.C., area she attended high school in suburban Maryland in the era of integration. Fuller was a cheerleader and excelled academically, graduating as salutatorian of her class. But she would not be able to attend college without financial assistance. Syracuse University came through with a full scholarship. �Along with other grants and work study, my parents didn�t have to pay a thing,� she says. Despite being a pre-med major at Syracuse, Fuller had a well-rounded campus experience. She was a varsity cheerleader for two years�traveling to the NCAA men�s basketball Final Four in San Diego�served as a resident advisor for two years and was on the charter line for Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. �My college years were so rewarding. I have always been grateful to Syracuse,� says Fuller, who was honored with a Chancellor�s Citation at CBT in came to Walter Reed in 2011 as an addiction psychiatrist on staff at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE), a multidisciplinary center established in 2010 to treat traumatic brain injury and the psychological health of active-duty service members. Active-duty service members who have suffered a variety of head injuries are referred to NICoE, where they undergo a comprehensive four-week evaluation from an interdisciplinary team of physicians and other providers. �The goal of the NICoE assessment is for every service member to leave with extensive understanding of the condition of their different body systems, a treatment plan to further assist them in returning to their full health, as well as the mind-body tools that can help their nervous system heal,� says Fuller. She provides a psychiatric assessment to diagnose conditions such as anxiety, depression and PTSD, as well as to help patients address and cope with stress and grief. 1992. Although it�s been a dream As a senior, Fuller began job, Fuller is planning for her applying to medical schools and retirement on Feb. 28, 2022, and was successful in obtaining Health looks forward to travel, relaxation Professions Scholarship from and plans to teach Continuum, a the U.S. Navy to attend medical meditative movement practice. school at the Oklahoma College of But first, she wanted to fully Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, endow her scholarship, which which paid the entire cost of her she established in 2017. The medical education. scholarship will support students in Fuller completed residency the College of Arts and Sciences, training in psychiatry at the with preference to first-generation National Naval Medical Center underrepresented students. �It was in Bethesda, Maryland, and important to me to pay it forward,� subsequently worked her way up Fuller says. �I know how expensive to director of the Navy�s alcohol education is today, and I wanted rehabilitation department at Oak to make it easier for students who Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland, aspire to earn a degree.� California. She later completed an She also hopes to inspire others to addiction medicine fellowship. give what they can. �Every little bit After a 30-year career as a Navy helps,� she says. �It takes a village.� psychiatrist, the retired captain 30 | SYRACUSE MANUSCRIPT GAYLE DENNIS �58 Lifelong Learning G ayle Dennis believes in education. She came to Syracuse University in the 1950s when college may not have been the assumed path for Black women. But it was for her. �My parents were professionals,� she says. Dennis� father was an architect who had attended Pratt Institute. Her mother was a social worker before a degree was required. When Dennis started at Syracuse, her mother began night school at Rutgers University, and they graduated at the same time. Dennis, from Newark, New Jersey, majored in home economics and business. With only 100 or so Black students enrolled at Syracuse at the time, she says there was no segregation. �I was active on campus,� she says. �There were no Black organizations. I was president of the Home Ec club. Other friends were class officers.� In other words, she was just part of the student body. �The world is a mixture. That�s how my family lived and that�s how I lived,� she says. After graduating, Dennis worked in New Jersey as an itinerant teacher but had difficulty finding a full-time job. After traveling to Los Angeles for a bridge tournament, she decided to relocate, and eventually followed her mother�s path into social work. She worked for the Los Angeles Department of Social Work for 30 years, taking early retirement at age 55. Dennis has never lacked for have 25 requests on my desk and had no money to give them.� That was a positive thing, so I started sending money to Syracuse University.� Dennis attended both her 25th and 50th college reunions. She also attended the first Coming Back Together (CBT) reunion and helped Robert Hill connect with other alumni of color in Los Angeles. �Robert was coming to Los Angeles and called to ask for my help,� says Dennis. They had dinner and she gave Hill a list with contact information for all of the Black alumni she knew living in the area. But that didn�t mean she wanted to participate herself. �I really didn�t have any interest in a Black reunion,� Dennis says. �That wasn�t the way I experienced the University, and I felt minority students should just be part of the system.� But after relentless persuasion, Dennis did attend the inaugural CBT in 1983. �I stood on the podium next to Dave Bing �66,� she says. She met current students, and she had a wonderful time. But she never felt the need to attend another. �I preferred to go to the general reunion where something to do. For a time, she I would see friends from my college had a business making and selling years,� she says. rum balls, something that grew out But her affinity for Syracuse of making them for friends at the remains deep. Through the holidays. An avid bridge player, she Forever Orange Campaign, also enjoys needlework. Dennis has established a From her early days as an scholarship endowment that will alumna, Dennis has supported give preference to female Black Syracuse University. She did not students. While she contributes attend on scholarship but did to the endowment monthly, it receive a $50 grant each semester will become fully funded through from a private organization a bequest. that paid for books. When she �Education is important,� she graduated, she discovered her says. �I think everyone should mother had kept a bank account for support their college or university.� her that had $500 in it, intended to At 85, Dennis is taking a cover those expenses. Dennis wrote needlepoint class and teaches a check to the organization that classes in bridge and knitting, as provided her grant and sent it off well as literacy courses at the with a note saying, �This is to cover Los Angeles Public Library. �You the money I received for books.� can always learn something new,� �A woman called me up to thank she says. me,� recalls Dennis. �She said, �I WINTER 2021 | 31 ALUMNInews New Members Elected to University Board of Trustees T hree alumni of color are among seven new members elected to serve on the Syracuse University Board of Trustees, all recognized as leaders in their fields. The value brought by these diverse and distinguished professionals will help the University remain on course to achieve its strategic goals, says Chancellor Kent Syverud. �We are truly honored to have our new members willing to commit the time and resources it takes to ensure this generation of students and the generations to come have access to an extraordinary student experience and opportunities for academic, personal and professional success,� he says. Sharon R. Barner �79 has spent three decades helping global businesses in technology, automotive and life sciences protect intellectual property and grow their businesses. She is vice president, chief administrative officer and corporate secretary for Cummins Inc., responsible for communications, marketing, government relations, compliance, facilities, security and corporate responsibility. Previously, she was vice president and chief legal officer, dealing with strategic corporate initiatives, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory, compliance and other risk management activities. Before her work at Cummins, she was a partner in the legal practice of Foley & Lardner, helping it establish offices in Japan and China; and deputy undersecretary of commerce for intellectual property and deputy director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where she was responsible for articulating U.S. domestic and foreign intellectual property policies and led over 14 foreign missions to raise awareness about the impact of intellectual property on business and innovation. Her governance experience on public and private boards includes Howmet Aerospace, Eskenazi Health Foundation, Association of Corporate Counsel, Leadership Council of Legal Diversity, and Foundation of Advancement of Diversity in IP Law. Barner earned bachelor�s degrees in psychology from Syracuse University�s College of Arts and Sciences and political science from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in 1979 and a J.D. from the University of Michigan in 1982. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Inc., she served on the Syracuse University College of Law Board of Advisors. Michael E. Blackshear �91 has nearly three decades of experience in the areas of ethics, compliance and risk management. He serves as senior vice president, chief compliance and privacy officer for Ryan Specialty Group (RSG), an international specialty insurance organization. Before RSG, he was North America chief compliance officer for Chubb Insurance Group; held various leadership roles with Marsh & McLennan Companies, focusing on compliance and government affairs; and served KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers in compliance and risk management advisory roles. Blackshear was recognized as an influential insurance professional in Insurance Business America�s (IBA) 2021 Global 100, and in 2020 as a change agent and one of the IBA Hot 100 insurance practitioners who push the insurance industry forward in opening doors of opportunity to people of all races, ethnicities, genders, nationalities, orientations and ages. Blackshear obtained a B.S. in finance from Syracuse University�s Martin J. Whitman School of Management in 1991, an MBA from St. John�s University in 1995 and a J.D. from Fordham Law School in 1999. He also received a certificate in managing ethics in organizations from Bentley College and has recently completed a certificate at Loyola University Chicago at the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Institute. Blackshear serves on Syracuse University�s Whitman Advisory Council, the Office of Multicultural Advancement Advisory Council and the National Campaign Council. He received Syracuse University�s Chancellor�s Citation in recognition of his career and civic achievements and received the Annual Ruth Whitehead Whaley Award from Fordham University�s Black Law Student Association for his prominence in the field of compliance. A member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Blackshear is the lead donor of the Our Time Has Come (OTHC) Kappa Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Scholarship and recently created the OTHC Michael E. Blackshear Scholarship. Milestones Trustees Michael E. Blackshear �91, Gisele A. Marcus �89 and Vincent H. Cohen Jr. �92, L�95 Gisele A. Marcus �89 is professor of practice at Washington University in St. Louis Olin Business School and has inspired countless individuals to aspire high, beat the odds and bring along others on professional journeys. Previously, Marcus held leadership roles in industry and nonprofit organizations, including NPWR, Thermo Fisher Scientific, the St. Louis Regional Chamber, Cushman & Wakefield, and Johnson Controls. She has turned around departments, divisions and entire organizations by improving financial performance, enhancing operational efficiency and reversing failed relationships. Marcus� volunteer service includes being the co-chair of the International Trends and Services committee of The Archway (Missouri) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, delivering transformational programs to people of African ancestry globally to have a better quality of life and emerge out of poverty. As co-chair of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Kappa Lambda Chapter $1 million endowment fund, she is devoted to providing scholarship opportunities for female students with financial need. She is a trustee at Friendship West Baptist Church, chair emeritus of the Black Repertory Theatre and treasurer of Child & Family Institute. Marcus earned a B.S. in management information systems and transportation management from Syracuse University�s Whitman School in 1989 and an MBA from Harvard University in 1994. She is a member of Syracuse University�s Multicultural Advancement Advisory Council, former vice president of the Syracuse University Alumni Association and inaugural lecturer for the University�s Sankofa Lecture Series. In 2014, Marcus received the Chancellor�s Citation for Excellence in Global Business Management. She also endowed an Our Time Has Come Scholarship in her name. Gwynne Wilcox �74 was appointed as a board member of the National Labor Relations Board by President Joseph R. Biden L�68, H�09 and was confirmed by the Senate July 28, 2021, becoming the first Black female member of the NLRB in its 85-year history. Previously, she served as a senior partner at Levy Ratner P.C., a New York City labor and employment law firm. Her term is through August 2023. Wilcox is a member of the Multicultural Advancement Advisory Council. Monique Fortun� �82 graduated from Union Theological Seminary with a master of divinity degree with a concentration in psychology and religion. She received the Charles Augustus Briggs Award, presented to the graduate who best demonstrates qualities of conscience, commitment and courage, illustrated by excellence in scholarship and commitment to social justice and freedom of inquiry. Tara Brown Favors �95 has been named executive vice president and chief human resources officer of Mutual of Omaha Financial Group, responsible for all aspects of human resources strategy for the company, which has more than 1,100 employees nationwide. She previously served as vice president of human resources for the Global Merchant and Network Services business of American Express and is also a former member of the Multicultural Advancement Advisory Council. Jason Mills �95, G�96, executive director and head of customer engineering cloud industries at Google, has been appointed to the board of directors of digital experience provider Applause. Keisha Audain-Pressley �97, L�00, G�00 has been named a member of the Gill St. Bernard School board of trustees. Audain-Presley is also a board member of the Syracuse University College of Law. ALUMNInews New Alumni Association Board Members Named heri Askew-Johnson �97 and Alonna Berry �11 have been named to the Syracuse University Alumni Association S(SUAA) Board of Directors. Sheri Askew-Johnson �97 is a speech pathologist in the Gwinnett County (Georgia) Public School system. A military spouse, Askew-Johnson and her husband, John, became part of the Orange family by participating in Syracuse University�s Institute for Veterans and Military Families programs. Askew-Johnson has attended numerous Coming Back Together celebrations and is grateful for the invaluable connections and relationships she has developed thanks to her time on campus. A resident of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Askew-Johnson earned a bachelor�s degree in accounting from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Milestones Philippe Solages, L�00, G�00 was recently appointed as a judge to the New York State Court of Claims. He earned both his law degree and M.P.A. from Syracuse University. Jose Vilson �04 attended TED Conferences� TED Countdown, a summit dedicated to climate change, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is co-founder and executive director of EduColor, which advises education organizations and policymakers on inclusive education. Alonna Berry �11 is founder and chairwoman of the Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence in Milton, Delaware. Berry is a proud Orange alumna who wants to do her part to make Syracuse University as accessible and inviting as it can be to current and prospective students and alumni around the world, and to ensure that voices of color are heard and valued. Berry, who earned a bachelor�s degree in writing and rhetoric from the College of Arts and Sciences, was a Remembrance Scholar as a student. The SUAA board guides the SUAA in establishing priorities for alumni engagement consistent with University goals. Board members have distinguished themselves as leaders within the alumni community while demonstrating a personal commitment to the University. They are ambassadors who have great knowledge of Syracuse University�s history, traditions and activities. Anwar Nasir �06, became executive director of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra on July 19, 2021. A veteran administrator at various arts organizations, Nasir is a former Our Time Has Come Scholar. Na�Tasha Webb-Prather �11 has been appointed assistant dean for student affairs, community engagement and equity at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. An equity and compliance administrator, she previously worked at the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. University Honors Alumni Achievement at Orange Central S yracuse University rolled out the red carpet for the Alumni Association Awards Ceremony, held during Orange Central weekend. The celebratory event, held at the new Daniel and Gayle D�Aniello Building, home of the National Veterans Resource Center, was emceed by former Syracuse University football standout and author Don McPherson �87 and recognized alumni for exceptional achievements across generations. Alumni recipients of color were also feted at the Multicultural Awardee Breakfast, where they met and interacted with current students. Award-winning creative executive Keith Cartwright �97 was recipient of the George Arents Award, Syracuse University�s highest alumni honor, created to recognize those who are pioneers and leaders in their fields. Cartwright has worked at the most creative agencies in the country and is president and chief creative officer of Cartwright, which he founded in early 2020. Cartwright is also a co-founder of the Saturday Morning creative collective and former executive creative director at 72andSunny. He was named by Adweek as one of the 50 top Creatives in the industry, by Campaign Magazine as a top 10 Most Influential People in Advertising and was listed to the inaugural Blacklist 100. With Saturday Morning, Cartwright helped lead the award-winning The Look, an initiative created with Procter & Gamble to raise awareness of racial bias, and the Cannes award-winning Piece Briefs, a line of underwear designed to bring understanding between the police and the community they serve. Cartwright serves on the board of the Ad Council, the One Club for Creativity and Syracuse University�s College of Visual and Performing Arts. Also honored with the George Arents Award was attorney chief diversity officer at Sidley Austin LLP, charged with increasing diversity and inclusion across the firm�s 20 global offices and within the legal profession. A frequent speaker on issues surrounding equity and fairness, Mel�ndez is dedicated to bolstering the framework of policy and practices that have advanced Sidley�s recognition as a top law firm for women and lawyers of diverse backgrounds. She is a member of the Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals and serves on the boards of The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, LatinoJustice PRLDEF and the Advisory Board of the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession. Before becoming CDO, Mel�ndez was a partner in Sidley�s commercial litigation and disputes practice. She was named one of the Top 250 Women in Litigation by Benchmark Litigation from 2017 through 2019 and was elected to the American Law Institute in 2019. Mel�ndez is a member of the Multicultural Advancement Advisory Council and created a 5x5 scholarship benefitting OTHC, the Mar�a D. Mel�ndez Hinkley Lift As You Rise Scholarship. WINTER 2021 | 35 ALUMNInews University Honors Alumni Achievement at Orange Central Nicole Osborne �14, G�20 was honored with the Generation Orange Award, presented to young alumni who have made significant contributions to their communities and to the University. Osborne is an education policy consultant and data strategist who is passionate about using technology for good. As an undergraduate, Osborne was a resident advisor, peer mentor advisor in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, teacher�s assistant in the Policy Studies Program and member of the University Conduct Board. She�s Ivan Robles �15, Katie Hoole �13, Leo Wong �14 and Nicole Osborne �14 served on the Generation Orange Leadership Council since 2016, as the Generation Orange Chair of the Alumni Club of Atlanta, as a FullCircle alumni mentor and member of the National Campaign Council. Osborne volunteers with Abundant Life Christian Center, Hiscock Legal Aid Society, the Onondaga Community College Foundation and Inkululeko. Milestones Jessica Santana �11, G�13, co-founder and CEO of America On Tech, has been named a 2022 The Roddenberry Foundation Fellow. Launched in 2016, the Roddenberry Fellowship is a U.S.-based fellowship awarded to extraordinary leaders and advocates who use new and innovative strategies to safeguard human rights and ensure an equal and just society for all. Nicole Osborne �14, G�20 and Erin Smith �15 were married on June 26, 2021. Photo by Birds of Passage Co. Ivan Robles �15, also a Generation Orange awardee, is a senior strategy consultant at Altman Solon, a Boston-based strategy consulting firm that focuses on the technology, media and telecommunications sectors. Robles, a Los Angeles native, recently returned after spending time in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. At Syracuse, Robles was involved in OrangeSeeds, University 100, the Student Philanthropy Council (now FOSAC) and the Student Association. He continues to be engaged with Syracuse University through his involvement in the Generation Orange Leadership Council and SoCal Orange, the local Alumni Club of Los Angeles. Generation Orange awardee Leo Wong �14 is a Newhouse graduate who was involved in a variety of student organizations ranging from Otto Tunes, TNH, University 100, First Year Players and Phi Delta Theta. After graduation, he went to work for renowned advertising agencies Droga5, McCann Worldgroup and Digitas in roles ranging from account management to diversity and inclusion and created influential campaigns for iconic brands such as Google Pixel, Dos Equis and Scion. He is also an adjunct professor for the University of Oklahoma, co-director of nonprofit Gold House�s A100 List, a licensed real estate agent and owner of a memory care home. Wong continues to stay engaged with Syracuse University by serving on the Generation Orange Leadership Council. Joshua Aviv �15, G�17 was named one of the country�s 100 most influential business leaders by Business Insider. Aviv is CEO of Sparkcharge, a company he founded while a student at Syracuse University to develop and manufacture portable electric vehicle chargers. Riley Christian L�16 became engaged to Maurissa Gunn on the ABC television show Bachelor in Paradise, making history as the first Black couple to become engaged in the Bachelor franchise. Christian is an attorney in New York City. He previously was a contestant on season 16 of The Bachelorette. Felisha Legette-Jack Honored with Jersey Retirement F ormer Syracuse women�s basketball player Felisha Legette-Jack �89 made history once again, becoming the first female athlete to have her number retired by Syracuse University. Legette-Jack�s No. 33 jersey was raised to the rafters of the Stadium during the Syracuse women�s basketball game against Notre Dame on November 14, 2021. Legette-Jack joins 15 men�s basketball and six football standouts who have received this honor. A four-time basketball letterwinner, Legette-Jack was named Big East Freshman of the Year in 1985 and earned All-Big East honors in 1986, 1987 and 1989. She played in the women�s basketball program�s first NCAA Tournament game and finished her career as Syracuse�s leading scorer and rebounder (and is currently eighth and fourth, respectively). She received a dual degree in child and family studies and psychology. Legette-Jack has been inducted into the Greater Syracuse Hall of Fame, the Syracuse Urban League Hall of Fame and SU�s Orange Plus Hall of Fame. The Big East named her one of 15 players on its Silver Anniversary team in 2004. In 2011, she was named a Syracuse University LetterWinner of Distinction. A veteran basketball coach, Legette-Jack started her collegiate coaching career as an assistant at Syracuse before becoming the head coach at Hofstra University and then Indiana University. She is currently the head coach at the University at Buffalo, where she has led the Bulls program for the past 10 years. A native of Syracuse, Legette-Jack grew up in public housing and later attended Nottingham High School. �Had it not been for a basketball scholarship, I couldn�t go to college because we couldn�t afford it,� she says, who referred to earning her scholarship as earning her way to get educated. �I�m humbled by this. I have a great foundation to understand that I�m the first, but there were so many more that came before me.� The halftime ceremony was attended by Legette-Jack�s family, University at Buffalo team members, many of her own former teammates and former men�s team standouts Derrick Coleman �15, Sherman Douglas �89 and John Wallace �96, who surprised her before she walked out to center court. �This is so overwhelming,� Legette-Jack said of the honor. �When I saw it raised up, I just saw our community being lifted. I saw a lot of young people�s dreams come true. I kept thinking this is so not about me, it�s for those who slightly hope so they can strongly hope. And they can mostly believe. A little person from 308 Oakwood Ave., Brick City, has come from that place to have her jersey retired. Anybody can become.� Legette-Jack�s jersey retirement launched a yearlong celebration of 50 Years of Syracuse University women�s athletics. Special events and recognition of all female student-athletes who have donned the Block S to represent Syracuse University and the Athletics Department since 1971-72 are being held throughout the 2021-22 seasons. ALUMNInews History Lesson F ifty-five years ago, Syracuse University junior Joyce Green �67 made headlines when she was selected as Syracuse University�s first Black Homecoming Queen. Green, from St. Albans, New York, majored in speech and dramatic arts and received the Hugh Massey Tilroe Award as the most promising undergraduate student in the School of Speech. Green, also a part-time model, was selected by a group of five Queen in spring 1967. A straight-A student, Green graduated finalists and crowned by Chancellor William Tolley during halftime from Syracuse in three years and married her college sweetheart, ceremonies during the homecoming game against the University Floyd Little �67, after they both graduated in 1967. The couple of Pittsburgh on Oct. 29, 1966. Green�s history-making �royal had two daughters, Christy �92 and Kyra, and later divorced. status� was covered in Jet magazine. She later became May Green remarried and lives in California. IN MEMORIAM Emanuel �Manny� Breland �57 of Syracuse, died on Dec. 4, 2021, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. A Syracuse native, Breland learned to play basketball at the local Wilson Park and Dunbar Community Center. A standout player at Central Tech High School, he became the first Black player offered a basketball scholarship at Syracuse University. Breland led the team in scoring as a freshman and became a starter as a sophomore. After sitting out the 1955-56 season due to tuberculosis, he helped the Orange earn its first NCAA tournament bid in Syracuse history in 1957. Breland remained in Syracuse and began his career as a science teacher in the Syracuse City School District. In 1968, he was appointed varsity basketball coach at his alma mater, Central Tech, becoming the first Black varsity coach in Central New York. His first-year team won both the Central New York Cities Championship and the New York State Section III title, and Breland was voted Coach of the Year by the Coaches Association. His 1971 team repeated both championships. That same year, Breland started his career in public education administration. Beginning as an administrative assistant, he went on to become a high school vice principal, principal and central office administrator in the Syracuse City school system. He retired in 1991 after 34 years in public education. Breland served on many civic boards, including the Bishop Foery Foundation, Dunbar Center and the Onondaga County Services Education Board. He was a civilian appointed lieutenant in the Community Relations Department for the Syracuse City Police. Active in his church, New Life Temple of Praise, he served on its board of trustees and as president of the men�s chorus and men�s fellowship. He also served on the board of the Syracuse University Varsity Club. Breland was honored by many organizations and was the recipient of the American Legion Post in 1642 Community Service award. In 1992, he was inducted into the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame. Breland is survived by his sons Byron, Daryle and Gary; brothers William Scott, Clifford Scott, Arnold Scott and Richard Breland; his sister Eleanor Scott; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and other family members. Kirk ProcterJackson �77, of Milton, Massachusetts, died on Aug. 17, 2021. Jackson was born in Yonkers, New York, where he was recognized for his talents as an athlete and as a community outreach facilitator. He earned a bachelor�s degree from Syracuse University in 1977. He was also a veteran, serving in both the U.S. Army and Air Force. Later in his military career, he was assigned to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. In 1987, Jackson received his law degree from Boston College Law School. He served as a student law clerk for Federal Magistrate Judge Joyce London Alexander and as a member of the Mass Bar Association�s Judicial Nominating Committee. He began his law career as an associate at Goulston and Storrs P.C. Later, he began a joint practice with two partners founding what was then the only minority-owned real estate boutique law firm in Massachusetts, Jackson and Jean. From 2007-16, Jackson was senior manager for development, dispositions and in-store retail for Ahold USA (Stop & Shop Supermarket Companies) and later became senior manager of real estate and asset management for the Massachusetts Port Authority. From 2016-18, Jackson as the assistant secretary of transportation for MassDOT, under Gov. Charlie Baker. Jackson was president of the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association from 1991-1992. He was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and accepted as an official member in the American Legion. He was selected for inclusion as a member of the 2010/2011 edition of Montclair Publishing�s Who�s Who in Real Estate. He also made important contributions to the ongoing fight against hatred and intolerance in America, and his name was added to the Wall of Tolerance in Montgomery, Alabama, �to provide inspiration to all those who choose to take a stand against hatred.� Jackson is survived by his wife, Aisha Saunders-Jackson; his children, Jarad Saunders and Mikalia Jackson; his siblings, Tyler Kent Jackson, Gaye Corselli and Dawn Norman; and extended family. IN MEMORIAM Suzanne Fairweather �90, of Brooklyn, New York, died March 19, 2015. Fairweather was born in Brooklyn and attended John Dewey High School before earning an undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and a master�s degree from Fordham University. She worked as a school psychologist in the pedagogical division of the Department of Education and was particularly committed to serving children with disabilities. Fairweather is survived by her mother, Sandra Collins; her father and stepmother, Norman and Clare Fairweather; siblings Paul Fairweather, Imani Fairweather-Morrison and Nia Fairweather; and extended family. Midwin Charles �95, of Brooklyn, New York, died April 6, 2021. Charles was born on July 17, 1973, in Brooklyn. She was a bright student who studied abroad in Zimbabwe before graduating with a bachelor�s degree from Syracuse University in 1995. She earned a law degree from American University College of Law, where she was an articles editor for the American University Law Review. She later founded the New York law firm Midwin Charles & Associates and was known as a prominent defense attorney. She appeared on MSNBC and CNN as a legal analyst commenting on social justice causes and in support of marginalized groups and was a contributor to media outlets including Essence magazine and HuffPost. A proud Haitian American, Charles always sought to represent Haiti, women, the Black community and Brooklyn by offering a voice and an image through which all these communities could feel represented and proud. �She was so joyful, so giving, so authentic; it didn�t matter that she was a TV star,� said Magda Theodate, Charles� college friend. �She always said, �I�m just a regular girl from Brooklyn. But I�m representing Brooklyn in a way that Brooklyn doesn�t always get represented.�� In her memory, friends Elizabeth Apisson Carmen and Michael Barbosa �96 have established the Our Time Has Come Midwin Charles Endowed Scholarship Rameer D. Green �97, of Buffalo, New York, died on June 4, 2020. Allison Green Hill �00, a lifelong resident of Syracuse, died on Sept. 3, 2021, from complications of multiple sclerosis. A world traveler, Hill held supervisory and sales positions at USAirways. Prior to that, she was a staff member in the office of Syracuse Mayor Lee Alexander. She had been a member of Jack and Jill of Syracuse and chair of its public relations activities in the 1980s. Allison was a graduate of Nottingham High School and Syracuse University. In her final years, she was a resident of Van Duyn Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Syracuse. The Green family is among the largest and oldest African American families in Syracuse. Hill was predeceased by her father, Raymond Green. She is survived by her mother, Carol Green, sisters Jamie Green and Tammy Wilde; son Rory Green-Askew (son of Robert Hill of Pittsburgh); granddaughters Ilyana and Lourdes; stepdaughters Michelle Pinedo and Rochelle Hill; as well as additional family and a vast network of friends. Miriam Monet Reed �09, of Trenton, New Jersey, died Aug. 15, 2021. Reed, known as �Mimi,� was born in Trenton and attended Princeton Day School, where she developed a keen eye for photography and a love for writing poetry. She earned a degree in communications from Syracuse University and pursued studies toward a master�s in communications at Boston University. While at Syracuse, she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Kappa Lamba Chapter. She loved being a part of the sisterhood and cherished her relationship with her line sisters. Following in her mother�s footsteps, Reed pursued a career in education. She held teaching positions in charter schools in north Jersey and in Trenton Public Schools, in addition to serving as a nanny for young children. Reed�s bright smile and contagious laugh would light up any room she entered. She deeply desired to make a difference in the lives of others. Her laugh, her love, and her light will be deeply missed and never forgotten. Reed was predeceased by her father, Garrett E. Reed, Jr.; her mother, Gwendolyn C. Reed; and her niece Kimari Reed. She is survived by her brothers. Michael and James; her sister, Jacqueline R. Belk Scott; and a host of extended family and friends. NON PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE Office of MulticulturalAdvancement PAID 640 Skytop Rd., Second Floor SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY Syracuse NY 13244-5160 SYRACUSE NY A successful CBT 2021 was made possible by the support of generous sponsors who provided financial support and in-kind donations to make various events possible. �We are very grateful to our alumni who know the value of our diverse audience and helped use their corporate connections to provide sponsorships for our events,� says Rachel Vassel �91, associate vice president of multicultural advancement. �A special thank you to Evelyn Ingram �90 [Wegmans], Melanie Littlejohn �97 [National Grid], Ed Levine �78 [Galaxy Media], Tamekia Flowers-Ball �97 [Epiphany Blue] and Vincent Cohen Jr. �92. We couldn�t do it without you!� The CBT Lecture by Rita Moreno was sponsored by National Grid. The CBT Celebrity Classic Basketball game was supported by Galaxy Media, Vincent Cohen Jr. �92, L�95, Nike Team, Legend Athletics and Anchor Tough. A Different World Reunion Panel was sponsored by Epiphany Blue. And thank you to Wegmans for generous support of the CBT Gala.