UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
The Black Alumni Network is an inclusive leadership organization that seeks to empower, connect, and celebrate the University of Rochester Black Community. This group encourages communication and cooperation between alumni, students, friends, faculty, and staff who are committed to the advancement of people of the African diaspora. The Black Alumni Network fosters a network for personal and professional connection and provides a sense of community and family for alumni of color.
For Us, By Us: A Celebration of Us
This June, join the Black Alumni Network to honor the excellence, diversity, and unity of the peoples of the African diaspora. As we stand unified in our pursuit of freedom and inclusion, come celebrate the tenacity, ingenuity, and distinction of Black people in America and around the world.
Nadia Niyogushima ’26, a first-generation student with a passion for engineering, and Mervyn Winn ’26, who is exploring languages of all kinds at the University, are the first Black Alumni Network scholarship recipients.
Nadia Niyogushima ’26
Mervyn Winn ’26
Ashley Campbell ’09, ’10 (MS)
Rochester, NY
Global Co-Chair
Sean Allen ’11 (MS)
Los Angeles, CA
Global Co-Chair
Emerson Fullwood
Rochester, NY
Global Co-Chair
We build a sense of community and belonging as extended family members of the African diaspora. With your support, we can:
Fatoumatta Jobe is transcribing in Wolof—and then translating into English—centuries-old stories passed down orally.
This first-year, first-generation student was drawn to Rochester’s mission: to make the world ever better
Olivia Hooker ’62 (PhD) recently honored with building dedication
In celebration of the Black Alumni Network’s first anniversary, a distinguished panel of Black members of the University of Rochester’s Board of Trustees hosted this special event to share their career paths, their commitment to serving the University, and their perspectives on efforts to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education and in their professional work.
Please email Amari Tevell Simpson at amari.simpson@rochester.edu for upcoming events and details at this time.
We invite you to take an even more active role in our community. Together, we can do more, change more, and inspire more. With your support, we can channel our collective philanthropic resources to advocate for the causes that matter to us the most, from student support to career and leadership development to innovation across academic disciplines and beyond.
These videos exemplify the values of the volunteer-led Black Alumni Network. The Network unites the University of Rochester’s Black community through engaging and empowering programming and conversations.
You can help us build the Black Alumni Network. As one of our founding members, there are many ways for you to be a part of this effort. To join and volunteer for the Black Alumni Network, please tell us about yourself.
Through new events and activities, such as networking with students, celebrating at Meliora Weekend, and conversations around Juneteenth, the Black Alumni Network has grown its membership, involvement, and awareness.
For more information on the Black Alumni Network and additional identity-based programs and events, contact Jessica Nhial, Associate Director of Affinity Networks and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion programs at jessica.nhial@rochester.edu.