{"id":5,"date":"2023-09-12T09:36:09","date_gmt":"2023-09-12T13:36:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aig.alumni.virginia.edu\/ubunye\/?page_id=5"},"modified":"2025-08-26T15:51:53","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T19:51:53","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/aig.uvaalumni.org\/ubunye\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome to Ubunye!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Ubunye, which means unity in Zulu, is the official interest group for UVA Black alumni. Consider Ubunye your home for activities, events, and news that promote and support Black excellence. Ubunye helps us collaborate and connect across the world!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Ubunye Statement on the University Presidential Leadership Transition<\/h2>\n

The University of Virginia faces reputational challenges and great uncertainty due to recent federal policy
\nchanges and institutional responses. As alumni, we recognize the importance of preserving the respect
\nand standing our university has built over more than two centuries. Moving forward, however, we believe
\ntoday\u2019s challenges can indeed be transformed into tomorrow\u2019s opportunities, according us a precious
\nchance during this period of transition to strengthen academic governance while upholding the
\nuniversity’s core mission and commitment to excellence.<\/p>\n

First, we acknowledge and applaud the racial diversity of the membership of the named Special
\nCommittee on the Nomination of a President. Having six Black persons is an unexpected improvement
\nover past search committees of this stature and importance. Although their cultural, economic, and
\npolitical perspective may vary, it is noteworthy to recognize such due to the historical exclusion of people
\nof color in academic leadership.<\/p>\n

Second, we believe that the charge of the Committee to make recommendations to the Board of Visitors
\nrequires a sincere intentionality to foster equity throughout the process. The entire university community \u2013 alumni, donors, faculty, staff, and students \u2013 must have access to Committee members. We are hopeful that there will be full:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Transparency, as allowed by policy and law.<\/li>\n
  2. Engagement to ensure opportunities for advice, feedback, and ideas.<\/li>\n
  3. Communication that is up-to-date, comprehensive, and direct.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Third, we understand that the Committee will not make the decision to hire the 10th president of the
    \nuniversity. However, the Committee can set a civil environment and reflect the urgent need to install a
    \nvisionary leader who is courageous, just, and kind.<\/p>\n

    As alumni who continue to support the university during the good and tough times, we are mindful of how easily we can all fall prey to the belief that things will just work out. As K.A. Porter states, \u201cThe past is never where you think you left it.\u201d Thus, we take note, pay attention, speak out, and move towards that which is moral and honorable.<\/p>\n

    Deborah Stroman, PhD (Educ<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201982)<\/strong>, President
    \nRodney Rhodes (Batten<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201923)<\/strong>, Co-President
    \nMilla Ciprian (Col<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201922)<\/strong>, Corresponding Secretary
    \nMona Edwards (Col<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201979)<\/strong>, University Governance
    \nPaul Harris, PhD (Educ<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201901)<\/strong>, Academics
    \nDonna Johnson, Esq. (Col<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201983)<\/strong>, Recording Secretary
    \nJonathan Morgan, PhD (Col<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201991)<\/strong>, Academics
    \nRobert Smith (Col<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201983)<\/strong>, University Governance
    \nCh\u00e9la Wallace (Col<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201906)<\/strong>, Ubunye Academic Committee<\/p>\n

    \n

    Introducing Ubunye: UVA Black Alumni Interest Group<\/h2>\n

    L<\/strong>etter from Ubunye Executive Committee to the UVA Black Alumni Community on November 8, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Our UVA Black alumni community is 17,000+ graduates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and journeys. We are a vibrant community of Hoos dedicated to each other and to future generations of Black students. Today, we write to share information about a new alumni-led, Alumni Association-supported organization<\/strong> intended to support our ongoing connections with one another and our University.<\/p>\n

    Over the past year, a working group of Black alumni across generations engaged in dialogue with peers and members of the University community to envision new opportunities to collaboratively support engagement within the Black alumni community. We are thrilled to now launch Ubunye, a self-governed alumni group established to serve as a comprehensive resource to the UVA Black alumni community.<\/strong> The glaring need for a central body to network and share information and best practices for academic and career success cannot be overstated. Ubunye means \u201cunity\u201d in Zulu, and we hope it will build on the work so many of you have undertaken over the years to serve and unite us, on Grounds and beyond.<\/p>\n

    It is important to note that Ubunye will work only when we work! That is, we encourage Black alumni to get involved with Ubunye. We hope you will get involved with an Ubunye committee<\/a>; share activities, happenings, and opportunities for engagement<\/a>; provide feedback<\/a>; or ask questions. Examples include the posting of an organization\u2019s event(s), sharing of important information (e.g., the passing away of an alum or an announcement of books written, and articles published) and research on the history of Blacks at UVA. We want to ensure that Ubunye is the response for alumni who frustratingly state, \u201cI didn\u2019t know about it.\u201d As one Ubunye leader happily declared, \u201cUbunye will serve to be our one-stop-shop for all things Black.\u201d<\/p>\n

    We are excited about the formation and support of Ubunye. And we hope you are too!<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Gubha and Wahoowa!<\/p>\n