Hello alumni family!
I can’t believe it’s spring already! The year got off to a busy start with several campus events that brought alumni and students together. I have been so inspired by the commitment of our alumni to show up for our students and to witness such beautiful connections being made. The Bulldog family always shows up for our students and I am extremely grateful for that!
This was on full display at the Georgia African American Male Experience (GAAME) Mentoring Dinner where an esteemed panel of alumni shared their experiences and insights on the importance of mentorship. The event was filled to capacity and there were alumni who traveled from near and far to be there to support.
The Mary Frances Early and Holmes-Hunter lectures held in February had phenomenal speakers to grace the stage. Our very own Yvette K. Daniels (AB ’86, JD ’89), the first black woman alumni president, spoke about mentorship and networking while Dr. Helene Gayle, the president of Spelman College, joined UGA trailblazer Charlayne Hunter-Gault (ABJ ’63) for an engaging fireside chat where they discussed a wide range of topics.
The Black Alumni Leadership Council and Black Affairs Council joined forces for the Black Affairs Council Alumni Networking Lunch on March 17. Students were given the opportunity to connect and engage with alumni who are working in fields related to their major. Relationships were formed and potential for mentorship was apparent.
Thank you for your generous support of Dawg Day of Giving on March 26. For 24 hours, the Bulldog Nation responded to the call to make financial gifts supporting the next generation of bulldogs. Thank you to everyone who gave to the Black Alumni Scholarship Fund in support of our 2024 goal of $1M in funding.
We are also deep into planning for our annual 1961 Club Donor Celebration which will be held this June. Invitations will be sent to those who donated at least $196.10 to the Black Alumni Scholarship Fund before March 31. Be on the lookout for more information!
I’ll close with one final ask, please sign up to be a mentor with the UGA Mentor Program. I consistently hear from our students that they want to engage with alumni who look like them and can relate to their experiences. We all know what it’s like to be in their shoes, so let’s do our part and pay it forward.
Go Dawgs!
Shayla Hill (BBA ’08)
President, Black Alumni Leadership Council
