10 questions with filmmaker Malena Cunningham Anderson (ABJ ’80)

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This post was contributed by Bridgette Burton (AB ’11, ABJ ’11, MPA ’17), marketing & communications chair, Black Alumni Leadership Council.

Where are you from? Born in Laurens, S.C., but grew up in Gray Court, S.C.

What made you decide to come to school at the University of Georgia? I followed my father, Odell Cunningham (BBA ’72), who was an older student when he graduated from UGA in 1972.

Anderson on her high school graduation day with her father who is also a Georgia alumnus

What was your major? Journalism with an emphasis on public relations

What was your most memorable college experience? There are many but pledging Zeta Psi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority was the best!

Where do you live now? Atlanta

Where do you work and what do you do? I founded my own production company Newslady Productions last year. I’ve reinvented myself utilizing my journalism skills, and I’m a documentary filmmaker. My first film, “Little Music Manchild: The Malik Kofi Story” won Best Documentary at the BronzeLens Film Festival in 2017.

However, I spent 23 years working in television news as a reporter and anchor. I started my career working behind the scenes at CNN; I worked as a reporter in Lexington, Kentucky, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Savannah. I also worked in Birmingham, where I won two Emmy Awards for reporting and was part of the six o’clock news team that won an Emmy for Best Newscast. In 2004, I left TV News and founded Strategic Media Relations, a media consulting firm that I ran until 2014.

What advice would you give to graduating seniors and recent graduates? Don’t just search for a job. Instead, look for opportunities to learn and grow in your career so that you can be an owner or employer. We need more African American students to recognize the power in being the person who writes the checks, not just someone who waits to get a check.

Anderson with fellow award-winning journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault

What is the most important lesson you learned in college? I learned that it’s important to network and get involved in campus organizations. This helps prepare you to work and collaborate with others. The more you get to know people on campus, and the more they know you, the more they can serve as connections when you begin your career.

Malena (second from left) with friends on graduation day.

What do you know for sure? What I know for sure is that no one will ever ask ‘What was your GPA?’ Grades matter, but being a reliable, hardworking professional, who also makes a difference and goes the extra mile on the job and in the community is more impactful.

Is there anything else that you would like for people to know? I’m extremely proud to be a second generation African American graduate of UGA. Go DAWGS!

DeRetta Cole Rhodes helps women get to the C-Suite

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This post was contributed by Bridgette Burton (ABJ ’11, AB ’11), marketing and communications chair for the Black Alumni Leadership Council.

DeRetta Cole Rhodes (BS ’92, PHD ’10), who is past president of the College of Family & Consumer Sciences Alumni Association, delivered a talk at the TEDxUGA event on March 22. Rhodes, who is the chief human resource officer for YMCA of Metro Atlanta, gave a talk titled “From Survive to Thrive: Women of Color in Corporate Leadership.” Prior to joining the YMCA, she held leadership positions at FirstData, Turner Broadcasting, Ernst & Young and ADP.

Rhodes spoke about her experience navigating the corporate ranks as a woman of color. Only 4 percent of C-Suite positions are held by women of color, and Rhodes has dedicated her work to increasing that number. In her TEDx Talk, which is linked below, she talks about giving a voice to underrepresented groups, the importance of mentorship and fighting for equity–from earning her Ph.D. to rising to her current position.

We caught up with Rhodes and asked her a few questions about her favorite things about the University of Georgia.

What made you decide to come to school at the University of Georgia? 

I was excited about UGA and the opportunities. UGA was my first choice.

What was your favorite class at Georgia?

Business Law taught by President Morehead

How did you get involved with the Alumni Association? 

I have always wanted to be connected to UGA, even after graduation and the best way for me to stay connected was to be a part of the Alumni Association.

Describe Athens in three words.  

Quaint, fun, great restaurants (perfect for a foodie)

Describe UGA in three words. 

Inspiring, Insightful, education – continuous learning

What was your most memorable college experience? 

The friendship and relationships that I made while I was there

What do you know for sure?

I know for sure I don’t know everything.

What will you never understand?  

So many things I am still trying to understand, hence the importance of education and what you continue to gain from UGA – continuous learning.

What advice would you give to graduating seniors and recent graduates?

Don’t quit and persevere.

Alumnus donates art collection to UGA School of Law

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This article was originally published on UGA Today on March 5, 2018.

Writer: Heidi Murphy

William Elliott Stiles Jr.—an accomplished artist, Atlanta attorney and University of Georgia School of Law alumnus—is donating 10 pieces of his work to his alma mater. The hand-painted originals will portray various legal themes and contain references to the School of Law.

“I am very grateful William is donating some of his unique artwork to the law school,” School of Law Dean Peter B. “Bo” Rutledge said. “His collection will enhance our collection and provide thought-provoking imagery for members of the law school community for decades to come.”

William Stiles

William Stiles

Stiles, a 2006 cum laude graduate of the law school, began painting while in high school and said this creative activity was a much needed stress reliever during his time as a law student. In fact, while studying in Athens, he created and donated a piece titled “The Common Law” to the school. This painting reflects relevant case law, theories, ideas and history examined during the first semester of legal studies.

Law Oak

“UGA Law Oak,” is part of Stiles’ “Concept Collection” of which 10 originals will be donated to the law school.

The newpieces he plans to donate to the school are part of his “Concept Collection,” which is “firmly rooted in the practice of law and has excerpts of U.S. Supreme Court opinions in the background,” according to Stiles. He began this body of work after experiencing a significant health scare in 2015. While recovering, law school classmates and former professors encouraged him to return to this creative outlet. Stiles said his law school family “helped to restore his confidence” and rediscover this stress reliever.

It is anticipated that Stiles’ new artwork will be installed in the main part of Hirsch Hall this summer.

Stiles, who specializes in commercial vehicle litigation, currently practices with Bey & Associates in Atlanta. He is married to Amber Barrow Stiles, who is also a 2006 graduate of the School of Law.

Meet TJ Snowden, Vice President of the Black Alumni Leadership Council

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In October 2015, the UGA Alumni Association launched the UGA Black Alumni Affinity Group, which is led by the Black Alumni Leadership Council. The council seeks to connect with black alumni and students through shared experiences, and to continue building a welcoming and supporting campus community. TJ Snowden (BSED ’04, EDD ’19) is vice president of the Black Alumni Leadership Council, and we recently interviewed him to learn more about his UGA experience and what drives him to stay connected to the university.

When did you graduate from UGA and what did you do after college?

I graduated from UGA in 2004 with a degree in sports communications. After more than three years of work in retail management and collections, I returned to UGA to work as a financial aid counselor in 2007. In 2012, my wife Lesley and I moved to Washington, D.C. where I continued my career in higher education and graduated with a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Trinity Washington University in 2015. Currently, I am the director of financial aid at the Institute of World Politics in Washington, D.C. and a second-year doctoral student in UGA’s Student Affairs Leadership Program.

How did you get involved with the Alumni Association?

I reconnected with a great group of UGA black alumni in D.C. where I learned that UGA was developing the Black Alumni Affinity Group. As my wife and I were planning to move back to Atlanta in 2016, it just so happened that Realenn Watters (AB ’04), a friend and alumna, was working for the Alumni Association and encouraged me to apply for a position.

Which Black Alumni event are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of the work we have been able to do with the Admitted Student Reception. In two years, we have helped move the diversity needle at UGA, bringing in one of the most diverse incoming classes in 2017. Equally as important, the Black Alumni Leadership Council has been able to secure more than 40 black alumni at each of these events to welcome these new students of color to the Bulldog Nation.

 

TJ Snowden

How has serving on the leadership council benefited you?

Participating in the Black Alumni Leadership Council has allowed me tap into a larger network of UGA black alumni to help further our cause of recognizing and supporting black excellence at our alma mater.

What is the most important experience you learned as a student?

Embrace the space, and I mean that metaphorically. UGA is a special place, and a number of my greatest memories as a student came from getting involved on campus. Some 13 years after I graduated from undergrad, I still relish those experiences gained and relationships I cultivated. It was an environment that I was under-prepared for when I entered. Thankfully, I found ways to contribute to the university community, and more importantly, the Black UGA community, as a member of the Zeta Iota chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

What is one piece of advice you would give to UGA students?

Network. There is only so much that a resume, diagnostic test or GPA can tell about your ability to excel at a task or job. Having someone who can vouch for your character and potential speaks volumes. Dawgs take care of Dawgs.

UGA is committed to its students and mission as a land and sea grant university. What is your commitment?

I’m committed to increasing diversity and black philanthropy at UGA. UGA has only been integrated for a little more than 57 years, so there is a need to develop and sustain philanthropic efforts among black students and alumni to aid UGA in its support of students of color.

UGA Alumni Association Launches The 1961 Club

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The date was January 9, 1961. Amidst a crowd of National Guardsmen, the figures of Hamilton E. Homes and Charlayne Hunter appeared on the University of Georgia’s North Campus. They were two students registering for their spring classes and simultaneously making history. Holmes and Hunter became the first African-American students to register at UGA, but it didn’t happen easily. After almost three years working to desegregate the nation’s first state-chartered public university in court, the young man and woman joined a population of 7,000 all-white students.

A young graduate student named Mary Frances Early, who had received her bachelor’s degree from Clark College in Atlanta, saw the crowds surrounding Holmes and Hunter on that winter day, and she decided she wanted to join them. Four months later, Early enrolled at UGA in the music education master’s degree program, and in 1962, became the first African-American student to graduate from the University of Georgia. Holmes and Hunter graduated the following year. They  faced hardships that led to riots and suspensions, but they remained resilient through it all. Thanks to Hamilton E. Holmes, Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Mary Frances Early, the University of Georgia was forever integrated for the better.

To commemorate their strength and bravery, the UGA Alumni Association launched The 1961 Club, a new giving society for donors who support the Black Alumni Scholarship Fund. The 1961 Club was created to raise engagement for the more than 14,000 living African-American alumni from UGA. The name of the society comes from that momentous year when Holmes and Hunter-Gault arrived on campus.

The 1961 club officially launched on Jan. 9 during a networking event for alumni and students at Paschal’s Restaurant in Atlanta.

The Black Alumni Scholarship Fund was created in 1981 by professor James Simmons, Jr. and Horatio Lanier; and the fund provides renewable scholarships to undergraduate students who demonstrate promising leadership qualities and a commitment to advancing racial equality.

In accordance with the year and the name of the giving society, The 1961 Club asks UGA alumni, donors and friends to give a gift of $19.61, $196.10 or $1,961, to support the Black Alumni Scholarship Fund. Members of The 1961 Club will also receive donor recognition from other UGA giving societies that correspond with their giving level.

“It is imperative for black alumni to donate to the scholarship because it provides students with a community of support and opportunities to grow,” said Raymond Phillips, president of the Black Alumni Leadership Council. “Students are the future. Our students are at the precipice of achieving their dreams, and it is important for alumni to reconnect, guide and support them, so they can continue the legacy that was started in 1961.”

Join The 1961 Club by supporting the Black Alumni Scholarship Fund at give.uga.edu/the1961Club.

Meet Lisa Conley, Member of the Black Alumni Leadership Council

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In October 2015, the UGA Alumni Association launched the UGA Black Alumni Affinity Group, which is led by the Black Alumni Leadership Council. The council seeks to connect with black alumni and students through shared experiences, and to continue building a welcoming and supporting campus community. Lisa Conley (MED ’09, EDD ’20) is a member of the Black Alumni Leadership Council, and we recently interviewed her to learn more about her UGA experience and what drives her to stay connected to the university.

When did you graduate from UGA and what did you do after college?

I attended UGA as a working graduate student. After completing my degree in 2009, I continued to work in the Professional Education Department at Georgia Tech. To expand my teaching skills, I obtained a part-time job at Literacy Action Incorporated in 2010. That was one of the best experiences I’ve had as an educator.

How did you get involved with the Alumni Association?

I received an email and showed up to a meeting.  The rest is history.

Which Black Alumni Event are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the Brunch and Learn: In the Black, A Discussion of Wealth and Finance in the Black Community event we had in March. I attended the new faculty tour last summer, and we met Dr. Kenneth White from the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, and talked with him about his work. I was thinking we have to find a way for him to come and speak about his research about financial planning in the black community. To be able to include a new black faculty member and a black alumni entrepreneur — Mr. Mohamed Massaquoi (BS ’08) — at our event was amazing. We had a great turnout and hit several of the goals of the Black Alumni mission. I feel like that event helped us reach a great cross-section of alumni.

Image result for lisa conley uga

How has serving on the Black Alumni Leadership Council benefited you?

It is difficult to engage graduate students at any school, as most people have an affinity to their undergraduate institution. It is also tough to engage the working/commuter graduate student who is there to get the degree and move on. My engagement with the university has increased a great deal being involved with the Black Alumni Leadership Council, plus it feels great to know people that went to UGA! They help me understand more about the background of certain things and provide a deeper insight. I no longer feel like an “outsider” as an alumna. More than once, I’ve had the opportunity to engage with the President and the Dean of the College of Education. I am not sure I would have been able to do that as often as I have as a non-serving graduate. For me, that is a cool perk.

What is the most important experience you learned as a student?

I would say the most important experience I gained was confidence. I emerged from graduate school confident in my abilities. I was also more confident in my intelligence. It was as if I forgot somehow, but doing the rigorous work (and doing it well) was such a boost for me. I had that “I actually know what I’m doing and what I’m talking about” epiphany. It was great.

What is one piece of advice you would give to UGA students?

My advice is to succeed anyway. There may be mean people that call you names or treat you unfairly. It isn’t about them, it is about you. Find a way around them and succeed despite their efforts to hold you back.

UGA is committed to its students and mission as a land and sea grant university. What is your commitment?

I stumbled across this picture the other day from our winter event, and it says it best; I want to help the next generation at UGA to achieve their goals and dreams.

 

Meet Erica Parks, Member of the Black Alumni Leadership Council

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Last October, the UGA Alumni Association launched the UGA Black Alumni Affinity Group, which is led by the Black Alumni Leadership Council. The council seeks to connect with black alumni and students through shared experiences and to continue building a welcoming and supporting campus community. Erica Parks (MPH ’11) is a member of the Black Alumni Leadership Council, and we recently interviewed her to learn more about her UGA experience and what drives her to stay connected to the University of Georgia.

When did you graduate from UGA and what did you do after college?

I graduated in May 2011. I got my master’s in public health from the College of Public Health. After I graduated, I was unemployed for 38 months. During that time, I volunteered with the Alumni Association and started attending the Women of UGA luncheons, where I started giving financial seminars. I drove to Fort Jackson and interviewed for a job. Before I got back, I was called and told I was the No. 1 candidate. I started screaming, because it took literally all I had to get to that interview.

How did you get involved with the Alumni Association?

We hosted a networking event where we had a panel talking to students about life after college and the importance of networking. Stuff like that led me to serve on the Black Alumni Leadership Council.

Which Black Alumni Event are you most proud of?

I have a very strong feeling about giving. The UGA Black Alumni Brunch and Learn: A Discussion of Finance and Wealth was the first event that we made about giving and “making the ask.” Giving is important, and if you want people to provide, you have to be the first person to give or show support.

Erica Parks

Erica and Lindsey Smith, recipient of the Black Student Scholarship, at Homecoming 2017. Lindsey was Erica’s guest at Sanford Stadium’s Skye Suite that night.

How has serving on the Black Alumni Leadership Council benefited you?

I love being engaged, but I have not been able to be as engaged as I want to because I live in South Carolina. I’m still searching for ways I could be engaged more, either in the Black Alumni realm or the UGA realm. Since I can’t be heavily involved, I sponsor individuals. That’s how I give. I’m challenging myself to be more engaged in a variety of things.

What is the most important experience you learned as a student?

I had a lot of professors that stretched me. I was influenced greatly by one of my professors at UGA, Dr. Corso, and learned how to be a mentor thanks to her. You may not like it when you’re going through it, but you appreciate it once it’s over!

Erica at the 241st Army Birthday Ball with three of her mentees. From left to right: Jasmine Cunningham, Deborah Koleoso and Shay Alexander

What is one piece of advice you would give to UGA students?

Build relationships, because that will cover everything. Building relationships is so important — you never know when you’ll have to reach back to have someone vouch for either the work you’ve done or your character.

UGA is committed to its students and mission as a land and sea grant university. What is your commitment?

I’m committed to the G! I give with my time, my talents, and my money. I make sure that I’m diverse in my giving — now, I’m looking at what I can do for Women of UGA because of the opportunities they provided me with when I was unemployed. I’m committed to supporting UGA’s mission, its programs, and its students.

Meet Bridgette Burton, Member of the Black Alumni Leadership Council

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In October 2015, the UGA Alumni Association launched the UGA Black Alumni Affinity Group, which is led by the Black Alumni Leadership Council. The council seeks to connect with black alumni and students through shared experiences, and to continue building a welcoming and supporting campus community. Bridgette Burton (AB ’11, ABJ ’11, MPA ’17) is a member of the Black Alumni Leadership Council and currently serves as the marketing and communications committee chair. We recently interviewed her to learn more about her UGA experience and what drives her to stay connected to the university.

Bridgette, center, and others at Cultivating Connections, and professional networking event for students and alumni,

When did you graduate from UGA and what did you do after college?

I have three degrees from the university — two from my undergraduate experience,  a bachelor’s in theatre and in public relations, and a third degree in 2017, a master’s in public administration. After college, I moved to Chicago and worked for Steppenwolf Theatre Company, where I worked as an assistant house manager and concierge. That was my first time living in a place outside of Georgia and I fell in love with the city. In 2012, I accepted a position at the UGA Performing Arts Center as the house manager and volunteer coordinator. I was then promoted to the assistant box office manager in 2014 and now serving as the interim box office manager.

How did you get involved with the Alumni Association?

It was actually when I was in Chicago! Grady College hosted an alumni event in Chicago and I came out to it. I was able to connect with former teachers and fellow alumni and it was kind of a call to action to be more involved. Once I moved back to Athens, I immediately joined the Athens Chapter and I haven’t looked back.

Which Black Alumni Event are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the Brunch and Learn event we held in March. It combined many of the tenets of our mission together: engage, donate and serve. It was great to see so many alumni attend this event and be engaged with the topic. The crazy thing is we have so far to go in terms of expanding it, so to see it be successful the first time was great.

How has serving on the BALC benefited you?

Serving on the council has benefited me in many ways:

1. I am serving alongside different generations of passionate men and women who love UGA just as much as I do. We all have so many gifts and talents that when we come together, magic happens. The things that we have been able to accomplish in just two years is unprecedented and I am proud to be a part of this group.

2. My perspective on fundraising has shifted. I am thankful for the workshops and training that has been given as a member of the council. I can share my story about the this place in Athens that I love and connect with others about their passions. The lessons and people I have met through this experience has helped me be a part of the establishment of the Mary Frances Early Graduate Student Support Fund.

3. I can give back to the university because it has given so much to me. Serving on the council, I can see the my volunteerism in action and how it helps students, faculty and staff. To hear about the Black Alumni Scholars and their achievements is a testament to the work the council and alumni across the world does. Their graduation is enough and I see that in my serving the university, I helped in a small way.

4. I get to fine tune my PR skills. Serving as the Marketing and Communications Chair for the council, I oversee the content of the social media pages and the Black Alumni Newsletter. I have a PR degree and in my professional work, I do not always get the opportunity to put my Grady skills to use, but serving on the council, I get to explore that skill set in different ways. Campaigns like #UGABlackAlumniCouples, #UGABlackAlumniTravel and #PostYourUGAPapers have been innovative social media experiences that have engaged alumni in ways I never thought would happen.

Bridgette, far right, and other members of the BALC at the annual Homecoming tailgate in 2017.

What is the most important experience you learned as a student?

As I student, I learned to use all of your resources that are available on campus. When you leave it, you realize how great the university is. Ray Paolino in the Department of Theatre and Film Studies always made the metaphor of the toolbox for actors: Each acting method or practice can be pulled out to help you create a character. Well, this can also be applied to other areas as well.

What is one piece of advice you would give to UGA students?

I would say to always be open to learning and challenging yourself. It is not always an easy process, but you will value it so much with every new lesson or opportunity.

 

UGA Black Alumni reflect on homecoming using #UGAHomecomingToMe

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This post was contributed by Bridgette C. Burton 

As homecoming weekend approaches, we wanted to get reflections from our Black Alumni Leadership Council on what Homecoming meant to them. Members could respond to one or both of the following prompts:

What is Homecoming to You?

Describe UGA Homecoming in three words. 

 

Ambre Reed (BSFCS ’09), BALC Retention and Engagement Chair

Homecoming is a celebration of Georgia’s variety of Black experiences. Good, bad and sometimes ugly, when we come back to the Quad, we get a chance to write OUR story, create lasting memories, and show campus that we are #OneUGA.

 

Melonie Thomas (BBA ’86), BALC Secretary

#UGAHomecomingToMe is: Multi-generational, Spirited, Reconnection

 

 

 

T.J. Snowden (BSED ’04), BALC Vice President

To me, the homecoming experience means exactly what it says: “A home coming.” It is a welcoming sight to converge on Myers Quad to see friends and UGA family whom I have known for more than 15 years. It is coming home to a familiar place where I came of age (as a Louisiana transplant), and created a host of memories that cemented my decision to attend UGA as one of the best decisions I have ever made. Each Homecoming, I find myself more energized about connecting with the future of UGA, especially for students of color, and how UGA strives to transform itself into an inclusive environment for students and alumni to feel welcome. I cannot wait to be back among familiar faces and spaces to enjoy in fellowship that keeps getting better every year.

 

Tonya Henderson Freeman (AB ’86), BALC Fundraising Co-Chair

Homecoming brings back so many memories of my favorite time in my life– my years at UGA. Reminiscing on the long-lasting relationships that I cultivated while there, I get so excited to see old friends and familiar faces. The music, the energy, the partying, the stepping, the red and black, the football game, the HYPE!!!! I am elated to see all the young kids making memories as we did, memories that they will have for a lifetime. Gooooo Dawgs!! SO READY!!!!

 

Sheryl Merritt (BSHE ’88)

My three words for #UGAHomecomingToMe are very old school… “Off the chain!”

 

 

 

Bridgette Burton (ABJ ’11, BA ’11, MPA ’17), BALC Marketing and Communications Chair

#UGAHomecomingToMe is where I fall in love with UGA all over again. Every year, I am surrounded by amazing people who want to see me do well, who support me in my present and have guided me from my past. I have an opportunity to meet current students and share my experiences with them. Homecoming is sometimes the only time of year where I get to see some of my friends, and it is a time where I cherish the laughter and hugs. There is no other feeling than being with my Bulldog family. Can’t wait to see everyone! GO Dawgs!

UGA Black Alumni family, what is homecoming to you? Share your reflections with us via social media using the hashtag #UGAHomecomingToMe. 

Meet Melonie Thomas, Member of the Black Alumni Leadership Council

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In October 2015, the UGA Alumni Association launched the UGA Black Alumni Affinity Group, which is led by the Black Alumni Leadership Council. The council seeks to connect with black alumni and students through shared experiences, and to continue building a welcoming and supporting campus community. Melonie Thomas (BBA ’86) is a member of the Black Alumni Leadership Council, and we recently interviewed her to learn more about her UGA experience and what drives her to stay connected to the university.

When did you graduate from UGA and what did you do after college?

I graduated in 1986 with a degree in marketing, and after a brief stint in retail management, I moved to LA and earned my MBA at Pepperdine University. As of 2000, I’ve been in the business of public health. Today, I live in Dunwoody, Georgia.

How did you get involved with the Alumni Association?

I met Realenn Watters at a faculty and staff organization event and was asked what could be done to encourage more black students to apply to and attend UGA. I asked her what was being done in that area, so she told me to get involved with this other group that had the same ideas, and the group eventually became the Black Alumni Leadership Council.

L-R: Yvette Daniels, Melonie Thomas and Randy Groomes

Which Black Alumni Event are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of the Admitted Students Reception because so many people come together to form a really great environment of caring and sincere interest. It serves as a reunion for a lot of the alumni. The students are glad to hear about the different programs that interest them, and the parents are relieved to hear from people that look like them and found a home at UGA.

How has serving on the Black Alumni Leadership Council benefited you?

It’s allowed me to work with many passionate and caring people who have the same goals that I do. It provides a little extra purpose in life – we can do things in this organization that have a meaningful, lasting impact for centuries to come.

What is the most important experience you learned as a student?

You’re not on an island. Ask for help if you need it – there’s help at UGA for just about any kind of challenge, or any kind of change that you want to make. Reach out to other people and ask for help.

L-R: Kevin Aycock, Bill and Melonie Thomas at the 2015 Bulldog 100 Celebration

What is one piece of advice you would give to UGA students?

Don’t be afraid to step out and try something. Even if you aren’t sure that it will be a great fit for you, you’ll never know until you try. Don’t be afraid to take that step into a different career path. Also, maintain your relationships with your professors and friends beyond what’s expected in the curriculum. Stay in touch with those professors – they have a lot of insight and can help guide you, both in your career and in life. Many of the friends I made at UGA are still my friends today.

UGA is committed to its students and mission as a land and sea grant university. What is your commitment?

I’ll go back to the BALC and our mission to recruit and retain qualified black students and faculty, to engage with students and other alumni, to encourage other alumni to donate to the university, and to encourage alumni to serve, in whatever capacity they can. If I can get corny for one second, I’m a GIRL (imagine the Power G). Giving to support scholarships, involving myself wherever and however I can, returning to the university and leaving a legacy through the work I do.

Melonie and her husband Bill (AB ’88), a member of the UGA Alumni Association Board of Directors, were also featured on the blog in Spring 2017.