Jambo!
Whew! The end of the year is approaching us, and what a year of anguish, celebrations, and transitions it has been. I’ve learned more about myself and made the important decision to do even more activities and be with people who bring me joy. Period. Yes, life is too short for anything less. The holiday season often provides us the opportunity to purposefully reset and reflect on what can be. Why do I spend time with them? What is the heart of our relationship? How do we lift one another up? What does support look and feel like? An end-of-the-year tune up is so very valuable.
I close this year expressing my thanks to so many Black alumni who volunteer their time and treasure to help our community thrive and to those who have responded with action to the heartbeat of service and Wahoo engagement. Witnessing so many acts of kindness and creativity is motivational to me, students, staff, and faculty on Grounds. And of course, as alumni, we feel this inspiration when we come together at events. Please enjoy the spirit of the season and get involved with Ubunye programming. We must continue to find and execute ways to keep our bond tight and together – unlike no other.
Go Hoos!
Debby Stroman (Educ ’82)
President, Ubunye
Stay Connected
In our second year of operations, we seek to turbo charge our marketing and communications, and we need your help! To better support one another and to ensure a good time at Black alumni happenings, we need to let one another know what is going on in our community. Please repost our activities, events, and news to both your Hoos and non-Hoos networks. Follow us on Instagram @ubunye_uva and join the groups on Facebook and LinkedIn. Greater D.C., if you are hosting an event in January or February, Ubunye is interested in promoting your gathering and helping to bring Hoos together. Send an email to ubunyeuva@gmail.com.
December Happenings
Happy Kwanzaa (December 26 – January 1)
Kwanzaa was created in the 1960s to celebrate and honor African American culture and heritage. It is based on African harvest festivals and is celebrated with a series of seven principles, or Nguzo Saba, which focus on the values of:
- Umoja (Unity)
- Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
- Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
- Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
- Nia (Purpose)
- Kuumba (Creativity)
- Imani (Faith)
Universal Human Rights Month
In 1948, with the memory of World War II still fresh, the United Nations crafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The very first article states: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” This important guiding document helps to inspire the fundamental human rights that should be universally protected and respected. Translated into over 500 languages, the UDHR values are antithetical to human and labor trafficking. Consider reading and honoring its message this holiday season.
Engage with Current Students
The University provides many ways to guide and stay in touch with our current students, with both formal and informal options available. We hope you will choose to be involved with any or all of the following:
- Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’s Men/Women/People of Color, Honor, and Ambition (MOCHA/WOCHA/POCHA) one year-long impactful programs are available. Mentors commit to meeting virtually or in person with their mentees twice a semester (four times a year) for a minimum of approximately 30 minutes. Questions? Contact Dr. Joshua Epps at xqn8yu@virginia.edu.
- The Office of African American Affairs (OAAA) and Ubunye leaders are excited to connect Black students with Black alumni through the Virginia Alumni Mentoring (VAM) program. By joining VAM, you’ll have the opportunity to guide and support our students as they navigate their academic and professional journeys. Register with VAM today to make a meaningful impact!
- UBSA Connect – Want to help students but can’t commit to a formal mentoring role at this time? Consider our virtual drop-in session the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. ET. Alumni and students chat about careers, culture, life, school, and what’s in the news. With no agenda and no commitment, it’s an easy way to engage with students and make new young friends. Note: The January session has been moved to January 8, 2025, because of the New Years Day holiday. Questions or need the Zoom link? Email ubunye@virginia.edu.
- The Black Student Alliance held several events throughout the fall semester. Read the winter edition of Keeping Up With BSA to learn more about these events as well as upcoming engagement opportunities. If you would like to be highlighted in future BSA communications, please complete this form.
Save the Date: MOCHA/WOCHA/POCHA National Conference
Ubunye is excited to partner with the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to help develop workshops and provide volunteers for the MOCHA/WOCHA/POCHA National Conference at UVA on April 2, 2025. This event is free for students (middle school through college) and provides tools to help youth strive for personal, professional, and academic success while working towards developing themselves as leaders and role models in the community.
Ubunye Achievements
A big thanks to those who have been working hard and smart to continue the work of connection and service to our alumni base. The staff at the Alumni Association provide us with insight, experience, tips, and applause. We are grateful for their support. A short list of our ongoing projects and achievements is below:
- Assisting in the recruitment of Black faculty with Deans and departments who ask for our help.
- Creating a list of UVA Black Firsts – starting with the trailblazers who graduated during 1953-1972.
- Encouraging more Black alumni to register on the Virginia Alumni Mentoring (VAM) to provide mentoring to our students.
- Finding ways to support current students – Ubunye is a part of their communications and establishing the UBSA (Black Student Alliance) Connect informal virtual drop-in sessions.
- Hosted Steve Farmer, UVA Vice Provost for Enrollment, to discuss admissions and the realities of elite university challenges.
- Organizing our internal and external communications – We plan on sending out more newsletters, posting on social media (Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn), and encouraging alumni to update their information with the Alumni Association. Encourage your peers to join our mailing list so they can stay connected!
- Planning more regional gatherings and watch parties – We were excited to co-host the Unity Fest with Black Bus Stop on the Road in November 2024 (below).
- Providing valuable contacts during our most challenging times – Ubunye created a list of Black therapists and wellness resources to assist with students and alumni who want professional counseling.
- Staying in partnership with OAAA – Ubunye will be a part of the 2025 Black graduation to connect with new Wahoo alumni.
History Made
Ubunye began a very first-ever important project at the beginning of this year to identify the pioneering alumni who chose Virginia “against all odds.” These trailblazers who enrolled during the years of 1953-1972 provide additional inspiration to continue to advocate for our rights and being at UVA and beyond during these challenging economic and political times. As we finalize the identification of these alums, please let us know if we missed anyone. Send an email with the name, year of the alum, and your contact information to ubunyeuva@gmail.com.
Did You Know?
Our University may be the first NCAA Power 4 school to have a Black leader in the four prominent positions of Athletic Director and Head Coach for football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball at the same time. And few, if anyone, noticed…remarkable times, indeed.
Hoos Getting to Know You
Introducing Rick Copeland (Col ’82), who is a co-lead for the Recognition & Celebration committee. He and Charlene Miott-Jones (Educ ’84) led the research effort to identify the Black pioneers who graduated from the University during the years of 1953-1972. We look forward to the public presentation of this important activity in the spring.
A former corporate sales executive and lobbyist for legislation to eliminate global poverty and health disparities, Rick remains steadfast in his commitment to real change and no-nonsense advocacy and strategic planning. His amazing company, Global Health Connections International, serves to prepare North Carolina youth with the foundational skills to become better students and the next STEAM professionals. He currently resides in Raleigh, NC. See below to learn more about Rick.
Favorite quote?
Luke 6:38
A favorite vacation spot?
Aruba
What do you love about the Black community or being Black?
No other experience like it in the world
Who do you Admire (living)?
Myrlie Evers-Williams
What gives you hope?
Young people – The things that I see and hear from them at my camps. They are so inspirational in how they think about things that matter.
What would you tell your younger teenage self?
Stay focused and remember to avoid “majoring in the minor.” Matters that make a real difference should be the priorities.
Christmas Laughter by Nikki Giovanni
My family is very small
Eleven of us
There are over 80
There are over 60
There are over 50
Two of us are sons
Come Labor Day the quilts
are taken from the clean white sheets
in which they summered
We seldom have reason
and need no excuse
to polish the good silver
wash the tall stemmed glasses
and invite one another
into our homes
We win at Bid Whist
and lose at Canasta
and eat the lightest miniature Parker House rolls
and the world’s best
five cheese macaroni and cheese
I grill the meat
Mommy boils the beans
Come first snow the apple cider
with nutmeg…cloves…cinnamon…
and just a hint of ginger
brews every game day and night
We have no problem
luring Santa Claus
down
our chimney
He can’t resist
The laughter