Last week, black students, families, alumni, and prospective students were invited to Boston College in celebration of Black Family Weekend. The Weekend was comprised of many events, including a panel discussion on Saturday morning addressing prospective students, titled "Live the Connection: Strengthening the Bonds Among the Past, Present, and Future of Boston College's Black Community." Gregory Wilmot, a member of the sub council of the BC Alumni Board and BC '01, said the event was designed to introduce the students to the BC legacy early so they can fully benefit from the connections.
Eight alumni who had graduated from BC from 1982 through 2007 spoke about their experiences at BC and the roles and commitments they assumed within the community during their college years. William Dorcena, BC '95, shared his experience as former president of the Undergraduate Government of BC (UGBC). As the first black student to be elected as UGBC president, Dorcena said that he faced many challenges.
"The biggest challenge was to create unity among the student body, bringing together all the students regardless their color," Dorcena said. "Through my involvement with UGBC, I learned politics. I learned to communicate not only with the students but also with the BC administration and the alumni."
All panelists emphasized the importance of getting involved and remaining active. Mark Duke, BC '94, said that his involvement and interactions at BC taught him many lessons and helped him acquire skills that are critical in his career.
"The early '90s was an interesting period to be in college because it was a time period that bridged the Civil Rights Movement generation and the upcoming hip-hop generation. The former generation was characterized by systematic organization and unification, and the latter by creativity and individuality. And by interacting with the administration and the students, I think I learned from the both generations," Duke said.
Chike Ibeabuchi, BC '06, advised that student involvement should be based on quality, though, rather than quantity. "You do not need to be involved in 10 clubs. Just supporting the student organizations can be just as good," Ibeabuchi said.
Dorcena encouraged the prospective students to take advantage of the opportunities and resources provided at BC.
"The education and the opportunities that you receive at BC can prepare you for your future. Just think about how many people of your age are not here. There are millions of young men and women who do not have the opportunities that you have," Dorcena said.
Erastie Phillip, BC '01, agreed, saying that the perseverance that he learned during his college years helped him become successful in the world of business.
The panelists also gave some advice on having a successful academic life at BC. Dolores Wesley (Cooper), BC '82, said that it is important to get to know your peers and benefit from each other's backgrounds, experiences, and support.
"Look around the room, look at each other's faces. Study together, give each other feedbacks. You will need each other," Wesley said.
Another important connection that many students forget to make is the connection with the adults on campus, said Danette Thomas, BC '93.
"My major was math, which was an uncommon major among the African-American students. In fact, there were only two black students in the department. If it wasn't for the professors who supported me, I wouldn't have been able to complete my study in mathematics," Thomas said.
Dawn McNair, BC '83, said that she formed close bonds with her advisors while writing her thesis, relationships that remain to this day.
"Theses connections will last. After 25 years, I still care, because they cared about me when I was here," McNair said.
All of the panelists shared their experiences with the black studies program, now known as the African and African-American Diaspora studies program. Ibeabuchi said that he took some of the courses, which allowed him to understand the complexity of issues that are still visible in society.
"I realized that there still exist many terms with racial connotations. Study why they are there. Study the black history. It will enable you to defend yourself," Ibeabuchi said.
McNair said that both BC and the nation in general had progressed a great deal since her time as an undergraduate student.
"When I was here, there was no term AHANA. I remember students marching down the streets, trying to establish a national holiday dedicated to Martin Luther King, Jr. Look how much progress we have made. But remember, we still have a long way to go," McNair said.
Wynndell Bishop, double Eagle of '00 and '07, agreed, and said that students should always remember the history and the endeavors of the era of the Civil Rights Movement.
After the panel, the students and the alumni attended Family Fun Day to continue the conversation in a more informal setting. Several student organizations such as Intersections, AHANA Management Academy, Ghana Service Immersion Trip, and the dance groups Sexual Chocolate and Phaymus were invited to the event, giving prospective students and their families the opportunity to converse with current students.
Prospective students Imani Green and Yanira Revan said that they definitely enjoyed the visit, which allowed them to see the black community at BC. "I saw the ALC Showdown, and I was very impressed how the school was really trying to raise the cultural awareness. I know that not a lot of schools have that," Revan said.
At the Black Family Weekend's awards brunch on Saturday, Jodi-Ann Burey, A&S '08, was presented with the Dr. Donald Brown Award. The award was established in the fall of '07 to honor a senior who has made extraordinary contributions to the BC community in ways that have benefited AHANA students in the areas of leadership, service, and academic development over the course of his or her academic career.
Burey has been an active leader on BC's campus: She has spent four years in the UGBC, served for two years as the co-director of the AHANA Leadership Council's (ALC) AHANA Caucus, has served as a mentor for the FACES freshman program, has acted as a moderator for the United Front, and has served as a resident assistant. She has also participated in University-wide committees such as the diversity steering committee, the campus community partnership initiative, and the hate crime protocol committee. She has also made substantial contributions in the area of service, and has served as a group leader for the Ghana Service and Immersion Program, a volunteer for the ALC service trip, and a tour guide and panelist for the student admissions program.
Sofia Mohamm, a member of Black Student Forum and A&S '11, said that she was very pleased with the success of Black Family Weekend. "It really brought all the students, prospective students, families, alumni, and faculty members together," Mohamm said.
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