A Virtual Celebration of Black and Brown Alumni
The Office of Multicultural Advancement invites Black and Latino/a alumni from across the nation and the world to come together virtually on October 16 to celebrate 150 years of Black and Brown excellence at Syracuse University. The daylong event, with events scheduled from 9 a.m. to midnight, is intended to provide a virtual taste of an in-person Coming Back Together (CBT) weekend.
“While we were disappointed to postpone the triennial CBT weekend to 2021 because of COVID-19, we’re actually quite excited about our virtual event and the opportunity to expose CBT to a wider audience,” says Rachel Vassel ’91, assistant vice president of multicultural advancement. “Despite ever-increasing attendance, there are alumni who are unable to join us for a variety of reasons—time, financial, or simply geography. This is a way for us to welcome more of our alumni of color back into the fold.”
The free online event will include time to visit with fellow alumni, honor traditions and learn new things, all while supporting today’s students. Daytime events will include a Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration and book talk with Sunny Hostin, Emmy Award-winning journalist, author and host of ABC’s The View; a career development session; political talk with Cheryl Wills ’90 of NY1, Angela Y. Robinson ’78 of the National Association of Black Journalists and others; and a community forum on COVID-19 and social justice. From 7 to 9 p.m., the event will host a telethon that culminates a 10-week fundraising campaign to support the OTHC Scholarship Program. The star-studded event will include appearances from luminaries including Vanessa Williams ’85, the Syracuse 8, and Kevin Richardson, who all have OTHC scholarships in their names.
“The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black and Latino communities combined with an increased focus on the impact of systemic racism in America shine a lens on the increased need and importance to support underserved students in their quest to obtain a higher education,” says Vassel. “The need is great and the need is now.”
In true CBT fashion, the fun will continue in virtual CBT after-party rooms, where alumni can reconnect with old friends and new.
“We’ve had great turnout and participation for our Virtual Connection Series and are confident that our alumni will be eager to participate in our virtual CBT event,” says Miko Horn, director of alumni events in the Office of Multicultural Advancement. “This is a wonderful way for alumni to experience the power of CBT fellowship and networking from the comfort of their own homes.”