President’s Message
Jambo!
“The holiday reflects the best of African thought and practice in its reaffirmation of the dignity of the human person in community and culture, the well-being of family and community, the integrity of the environment and our kinship with it, and the rich resource and meaning of a people’s culture.” — Dr. Maulana Karenga
As we close out the year, I am drawn to this past year’s memories of the very rich experiences for our alumni community. We struggled and survived, we showed up and showed out – personally and professionally. We grieved the loss of loved ones and celebrated the accomplishments of many. And here we stand.
I love how we continue to be connected in a way unlike any other college alumni base. Many of our non-UVA friends, spouses and partners just don’t understand how such a bond could be formed and sustained over decades. When we come together, our smiles and laughter are authentic and inspirational. Our assembly can playfully be viewed by others as weird.
I’ve also come to respect that this unique linkage is much more than honoring Thomas Jefferson and the traditions that remind us of times of old that excluded us from these hallowed grounds. Many of us do not want to be retold stories of the framers and the white supremacists who built the university. And certainly, with the current anti-Blackness climate that does not prioritize our wellbeing and future at the university (except perhaps for athletics), many of us have chosen to take a break from university engagement – financially and socially. Full stop.
Most of our deep Wahoo relationships were forged while attending UVA during a pivotal psychosocial time in our lives. Some of us grew up mentally and physically in Charlottesville. We joined groups to learn about ourselves and others, including the Divine 9, Black Student Alliance, and Black Voices. Some fell in love with future spouses. Having these shared experiences of often being the “only one” in the room brought us closer together or as we say, “made UVA a HBCU.” And now we wrestle with the idea of what does it really mean to belong to this institution.
I believe that we can’t lose that familial spirit that comes from our ancestors and must continue to work hard and smart for those students who have decided to make the same enrollment decision. Take a pause; but please don’t quit.
So, during this holiday season, please join me in being thankful for the administrators, faculty, and staff who made the decision to stay at UVA. They are courageous and unmoved by the attacks on our culture and being. Turn off the news from time to time if you must, but don’t turn away from being an informed alum. Our brilliance and boldness is needed on Grounds and for our own protection and safety. Let’s also be grateful for the Wahoos who dedicated hours to increase the vote and to campaign for candidates in the state of Virginia who believe in diversity and our dreams.
May the spirit of Kwanzaa live in our hearts each day. May we hold steadfast to and strive to represent our “Nguzo Saba” principles of unity, faith, self-determination, collective economics, purpose, creativity, collective work and responsibility, and faith.
Go Hoos!
Debby Stroman (Educ class of ’82)
Upcoming Events
Black Alumni Weekend
Ubunye has partnered with The Ridley Scholarship Program and UVA Athletics to offer a variety of engagement opportunities for our alumni community. Starting with Black Alumni Weekend (BAW), happening April 10–12, 2026, we will host two free events featuring distinguished alumni and special guests. On Thursday, April 9 current student athletes will have the opportunity to hear career and “life after sports” tips from former Wahoo athletes. On the late afternoon of Friday, April 10 we will co-host the Athlete Alumni Mixer. These events will be included on the official BAW schedule but are free, and open to all. Stay tuned for more details—we hope to see you there!
Cavaliers indo para o Brasil
Save-the-Date! Global Road Trip for the Hoos
UVA and NC State football will face off in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 29, 2026. Thanks, ACC!
“To have NC State and Virginia open our conference schedule on an international stage in Rio de Janeiro speaks to the vision, innovation, and collaboration of our league,” stated Commissioner, Atlantic Coast Conference, Jim Phillips, Ph.D. “This is an extraordinary moment for the ACC and for college football. We appreciate College Football Brasil for this incredible opportunity to celebrate our student-athletes and highlight the global appeal of the ACC, our schools, and the sport of football. We’re proud of both institutions for leading the way in this historic event and our partners at ESPN, who will broadcast this premier event.”
Ubunye, Black Bus Stop on the Road, and Black UVA Alumni Road Trip groups will follow the trip packages made available. If there is a way we can make cultural activities a part of this amazing experience, we will do so. Together.
If you wish to stay in touch with our Brazil planning, please send a note to ubunyeuva@gmail.com.
Stay Connected on Socials
Have you noticed our new engaging postings on our Instagram account? Our Ubunye intern, Riley-Paige Belisle (Col class of ’28) is doing that thang. Let’s continue to share the good news of Black alumni happenings, so please repost our activities, events, and news to your Hoos and non-Hoos network. Follow us on Instagram @ubunye_uva and join the Black alumni groups on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Congratulations UVA Athletics
UVA Athletics, Dr. Carla Williams, and Tony Elliott: You believed. You set a standard. You made us smile.
Thanks for breaking records, making history, showcasing our university on a global stage, and creating a positive image of UVA football.
We see you. We treasure your friendship and effort for sustained excellence!
Legal Matters: A Supreme Accomplishment for Fulton and Powell
Junius P. Fulton (Col class of ’81) was elected to serve on the Virginia Supreme Court alongside fellow jurist Cleo E. Powell (Col class of ’79). Prior to joining the Virginia Court of Appeals, Fulton served as a judge on the 4th Judicial Circuit from 1996-2021. Powell, the first African American female to serve on Virginia’s highest court, is the newly elected chief justice. Read more about Fulton’s remarkable journey from a defense attorney to the bench.
High School Help: Pipeline Focus
Vicky McPherson (Col class of ’99) has been going above and beyond to ensure outstanding students are interested in UVA. She has initiated and joined calls to organize other Black alumni to increase their involvement in activities that push back against the attacks on inclusion and belonging. Working with Rodney Rhodes, Ubunye co-president, and Access College Foundation, Vicky has coordinated a virtual meeting on January 7, 2026, for high schoolers to meet alumni to learn more about academics and college life. “Pathways to UVA: From High School to Higher Education” is a new Ubunye effort to maintain a pipeline of diverse students interested in applying and enrolling at UVA. We hope to expand this unique model to a nationwide in-person event at selected high schools featuring many Black alumni as panelists. Reach out to ubunyeuva@gmail.com to engage and support!
Hoos Doing Business
If you are an entrepreneur (not a hobbyist), an attorney or mental health/wellbeing professional, Ubunye wants to promote your product and/or services. Visit our website to share your company information.
UVA Black History
Over the years, many students, staff, faculty, and non-university journalists have researched various historical moments and movements about the Black community. Each newsletter will reference two articles or documents of interest.
Celebrating the Life of Roy Willis – Roy Willis (Col class of ’62), the first African-American graduate of the College of Arts & Sciences and the first African-American student to live on the Lawn, passed away this October. In 2010, President John T. Casteen III (Col class of ’65, Grad class of ’70) honored Willis with a plaque at 43 West Lawn, where Willis resided from 1961 to 1962. “You will find very few plaques around Grounds,” President Casteen said. “They are reserved for the most extraordinary people and extraordinary things.”
Black Bus Stop – Denise Watson wrote about the Black Bus Stop on McCormick Road for Virginia Magazine in 2019.
Hoos on the Go!
If you travel outside the USA, please send a picture in your UVA gear to ubunyeuva@gmail.com. We will feature it in the next newsletter.
Stay Connected with Ubunye
Do you have news to share with the Ubunye community? Please let us know about your promotions, new business ventures, family updates, or any accomplishments you’d like to celebrate with fellow alumni! Questions or submissions? Contact ubunye@virginia.edu.
See photos from Ubunye events in our Flickr album.
Visit our Get Involved page and use our submission links for specific events, business opportunities, and listing of attorneys.