As a proud Bulldog, the opportunity to serve as President of the Black Alumni Leadership Council has been one of my greatest honors. This role has afforded me both the opportunity to give back to an institution that has given so much to me, and to connect with leaders and fellow alumni who have become an important part of my extended family. Even in the midst of a pandemic, I witnessed the strength in our numbers and the impact of our generosity through the 1961 Club – a beautiful tribute to our trailblazers, and an incredible legacy that we leave as a gift for those who come behind us.
I’ll cherish the many memories made during my tenure because so many of you were a part of the moments along the way. As my good friend Jacinta Smith begins her tenure as president I hope that you lean in even further to support her and the Council. Together, I know they will lead the Black Alumni Affinity Group to even greater heights. There are many positive things on the horizon for UGA, and so much of it will happen as a result of your energy and your support.
There’s an African Proverb that says “tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today,” and I think that sentiment is so fitting to describe the future for all of us. So much of the foundation was laid before we even stepped foot on the grounds of The University of Georgia. To honor the sacrifice of those who came before, we must take up the mantle and continue the work that’s so vital for the tomorrow we want to see. Together, we can create an incredible future for students whose names we may never know, but whose lives we can impact for the better.
Go Dawgs!
Jeff Brown (AB ’05)
Immediate Past President, Black Alumni Leadership Council
