Dear UGA Alumni Family,
I am deeply honored and thrilled to serve as your incoming president of the UGA Black Alumni Leadership Council. As we look ahead to a new year filled with opportunity, I am filled with gratitude, pride, and excitement for what we will accomplish together.
First, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to each of you. Since the inception of the 1961 Club, your unwavering support and generosity have helped us surpass an incredible milestone — over $1 million raised to support scholarships that uplift students at the University of Georgia. This achievement is a powerful testament to the strength of our community and our shared commitment to creating lasting impact.
As we celebrate this success, we must also reflect on the legacy that inspires our work. In 1961, Charlayne Hunter-Gault (ABJ ’63), Hamilton Holmes (BS ’63), and Mary Frances Early (MMED ’62, EDS ’67) courageously opened the doors of UGA to future generations of students. Their bravery changed the course of history — not just for our university, but for the entire state of Georgia and beyond.
Today, we honor their legacy not only through remembrance, but through action. Every dollar given, every hour spent mentoring, and every connection made helps ensure that their trailblazing spirit lives on. Our support empowers students to thrive, to lead, and to carry forward the torch of excellence and resilience.
As we embark on this new chapter, I invite you to stay engaged, stay inspired, and stay connected. Together, we will continue to build a stronger UGA — one that reflects our alumni and students.
I am so excited to embark on this journey of uplifting our students and university with help from an extraordinary team of council members, resolute alumni, and enthusiastic friends.
Go Dawgs!
Shirleyse Haley (ABJ ’11)
President, Black Alumni Leadership Council
