October 2020 - UGA Black Alumni E-Newsletter
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Homecoming Registration is Open!
On Nov. 21, the Dawgs take on Mississippi State and Black alumni across the country will celebrate Homecoming. Order by Nov. 8 to be sure you receive your homecoming box or T-shirt before the game!
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A Letter from Jeff Brown (AB '05)
President of UGA Black Alumni
We are in confusing and challenging times. Today, I find myself being pulled in many directions as I try to maintain my work obligations, help my oldest son navigate virtual learning, and take care of the health of myself and my family. Amid all the busyness, I look forward to the celebrations to come in the next several months.
While we can’t gather together in person this year for homecoming, I hope our November 21st celebration will be a memorable moment in which we can all recognize our shared passion and connection. I hope you’ll register soon!
The 60th anniversary of desegregation at UGA is approaching and UGA is working to properly memorialize the legacy of Hamilton E. Holmes (BS ’63) and Charlayne Hunter-Gault (ABJ ’63). There are conversations about UGA hosting 60 events, including the annual Holmes-Hunter Lecture sponsored by the Office of the President on Feb. 23, to celebrate the occasion. Be on the lookout for more updates as we continue into the fall.
Thank you to all our alumni serving on the frontlines of both pandemics we find ourselves in. Whether you are fighting COVID-19 or racism and inequality, I appreciate your hard work and sacrifice. Please know that we see you and we are all standing by your side.
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Upcoming Events
Oct. 26 | Women of UGA Mentorship Monday
A panel, moderated by Dr. Ansley Booker (MS ’13), will discuss diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Nov. 7 | Hunker Down & Huddle Up with Aaron Murray and Malcolm Mitchell
Relive pivotal moments in UGA football history with the people who made them happen.
Nov. 21 | Black Alumni Homecoming Tailgate
Celebrate Homecoming with style by ordering a Black Alumni homecoming box.
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Your Voice Is Needed
President Morehead has committed $1 million of private resources to implement promising ideas developed by the UGA Presidential Task Force on Race, Ethnicity, and Community. The task force, which includes Black Alumni Leadership Council President Jeff Brown, is charged with developing recommendations to foster a more supportive environment for Black, and other underrepresented, members of campus.
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1961 Club Spotlight
The 1961 Club, named for the year of desegregation at UGA, is a special group of donors who share a passion for removing financial barriers to education through the Black Alumni Scholarship Endowment. The 1961 Club was established by the Black Alumni Leadership Council in 2018.
Dominique Holloman (AB ’01, BS ’01, MED ’04, JD ’04), the first president of the Black Alumni Leadership Council, honors the legacy of Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter-Gault through her support of The 1961 Club.
Were you a charter member of The 1961 Club? Look for your name on the new Charter Member Honor Roll, a digital plaque honoring the nearly 1,000 donors who launched The 1961 Club in 2018.
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UGA Mentor Program Needs Black Alumni Mentors
Nearly 700 Black students are looking for mentors. Our fellow Dawgs need us now more than ever to help them navigate the road ahead.
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Partnership with the UGA Special Collections Libraries
New Exhibits Coming Soon
The UGA Special Collections Libraries will launch two new exhibitions in January:
Blazing a Trail Toward Justice: Hamilton Holmes, Charlayne Hunter, and the Desegregation of the University of Georgia
This exhibit will honor the 60th anniversary of desegregation at UGA with a focus on Hamilton Holmes, Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Mary Frances Early (MMED ’62, EDS ’71).
Making Space: Fighting for Inclusion, Building Community at UGA
This exhibit will explore the legacy of UGA’s desegregation, highlighting the ways in which Black students continued to push for change and create space for themselves on campus in the decades that followed.
Documentaries
The UGA Special Collections Libraries have made documentaries by UGA faculty member Dr. Maurice Daniels available to the general public.
Horace T. Ward: Foot Soldier for Equal Justice
Hamilton Earl Holmes: The Legacy Continues
Tell Your Story
Please consider loaning or donating items that tell the story of your experience at UGA for use in these exhibitions, or consider adding your voice to the UGA Black Alumni Oral History Project. For more information, contact Steve Armour, university archivist, at (706) 542-0667.
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Jack Bush (BSME '20) and Victor Wilson (BSW '82, MED '87) speak at Commencement
Vice President for Student Affairs and UGA alumnus Victor K. Wilson (BSW ’82, MED ’87) delivered the rescheduled spring 2020 undergraduate Commencement address on Oct. 16. Jack Bush (BSME '20) was the student speaker.
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Alumnus named dean of the UGA Graduate School
Ron Walcott (PHD ’99) is UGA’s inaugural vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School.
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The Black Affairs Council hosts the inaugural Black Student Convocation
The Aug. 30 event was intended to welcome first-year Black students to UGA and provide them with resources and support for their academic journeys. View the program and watch the video of the event below.
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Fund established in memory of Georgia Law’s first Black graduate
Chester C. Davenport (LLB ’66) passed away on Friday, Aug. 7.
UGA to honor late judge with endowed lecture on race, law and policy
Judge Horace J. Johnson Jr. (JD ’82) was a trailblazer for the Black community in Georgia.
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Bettina Love named UGA Athletic Association Professor in Education
The professorship offers Love the resources to conduct research focused on the strengths and history of Black liberation, Black joy and anti-racism.
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Stafford, Smart endow social justice program at UGA
Major gifts from former QB Matthew Stafford (M ’10) and current head football coach Kirby Smart (BBA ’98) provided a total of $500K to launch a social justice program within UGA Athletics.
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Exploring health risks of poverty and racial discrimination
A $10 million NIH grant has been awarded to UGA to continue work studying rural Black families.
‘Dawgs for Pups’ initiative giving Internet access to area students
UGA football players are raising funds to provide WiFi hotspots to Clarke County students who otherwise would not have Internet access at home.
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Former Miss UGA builds a community for rural students on campus
Briana Hayes, a student from a town of 4,400 people, started an organization to help rural students transition to life in Athens.
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Alumnae and aspiring pediatrician: “this is only the beginning”
Tatiyana Sinkfield (BSA ’20) is one of UGA’s newest alumna and credits her Georgia Commitment Scholarship for a UGA experience filled with volunteer work and leadership opportunities.
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Future math educator explains his formula for success at UGA
Trevyn Gray, a third-year education major from Americus, spends much of his time giving back to the UGA and Athens communities.
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First Black men’s basketball scholarship student-athlete passes away
Ronnie Hogue attended UGA from 1969 to 1973. He passed away Sept. 18 at the age of 69.
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The Black Alumni e-newsletter is sent quarterly to all Black alumni and members of The 1961 Club.
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