In the first official gathering of Yale Black alumni since the AFAM 50 last year, the YBAA hosted Sustainable Legacy: A Family Conversation at the Yale Club of New York this past Thursday. The key purpose of the convening was to formally revitalize the Yale Black Alumni Association, which has seen limited activity at the national and international level since 2016.
YBAA was founded in 2008 by an intergenerational group representing four decades of Yale alumni. Founding President Janifer Lighten served from 2010 to 2012, when she departed this world. Sheryl L. Carter and C’Ardiss Gardner Gleser, Regina Bain and others served in her stead.
The reunion event was a resounding success, over capacity, with attendees flying in from all over the US. Panels featured Nicholas Roman Lewis, Ivy Onyeador, C’Ardiss Gardner Gleser, Kevin Beckford, Andrea McChristian and Olori Lolade Siyonbola. Images can be viewed below.
It was not lost on the group the significance of their meeting on the very day that Affirmative Action in college admissions was reversed by the US Supreme Court. This major setback for American Civil Rights and reparations efforts became a common theme at the event. Two panels were held, which were designed to strategize on how Black Yale alumni can have a greater impact on Yale, Black America and the Black world.
The energy was high, and many significant strategies were deployed for increasing Black admission at Yale, collaborating amongst alumni and influencing the global structures that impact socioeconomic outcomes for Black people globally.
For more information on YBAA and future updates, visit their website and subscribe to this newsletter.
Corrections: A previous version of this article stated that the organization has seen limited activity since 2012. That date was corrected to 2016.
You can accelerate Black Liberation by partnering with NOIR Labs. Donate. Partner. Hire Us.