{"id":263,"date":"2024-10-16T16:54:17","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T20:54:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aig.alumni.virginia.edu\/ubunye\/?p=263"},"modified":"2024-10-16T16:54:17","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T20:54:17","slug":"fall-semester-is-underway-%f0%9f%8d%82","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aig.uvaalumni.org\/ubunye\/2024\/10\/fall-semester-is-underway-%f0%9f%8d%82\/","title":{"rendered":"Fall Semester is Underway! \ud83c\udf42"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jambo!<\/p>\n

The leaves are turning their beautiful colors of autumn, and the weather continues to baffle us. Hot, warm, and chilly all within days of one another. First and foremost, I share the leadership team\u2019s concern for those who were harmed by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. We immediately reached out to Alumni Hall for support to help us connect and offer our assistance to our family of Hoos. If you, or someone you know, can benefit from a phone call or email, please let us know<\/a>. We trust that national, state, and local disaster professionals are continuing to provide the necessary resources to help people in this difficult time of need.<\/p>\n

Summer activities were hectic as ever for Wahoos. Many of you ventured outside the USA for vacation, took sabbaticals, committed to a new you (e.g., formal reading or exercise programs, and launching entrepreneurial ventures). Kudos! It is never too late to start anew and find joy.<\/p>\n

As we approach the November 5 election, we must be mindful of self and community care. Self-regulation with responses to social media postings by bots and wingnuts, drinking more water, and being still are strongly recommended. And of course, please encourage your network to vote. Learn more about your state\u2019s voter registration processes and deadlines by visiting this link<\/a>. Ubunye leader, Freda Hobbs (Col<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201994)<\/strong> states, \u201cIt’s crucial that we continue to engage in grassroots efforts and strengthen the connections within our communities. Our resilience lies in our empathy and collective action, and by staying rooted in these<\/p>\n

\"Debby<\/p>\n

values, we can create lasting change. Now more than ever, we must uplift and support each other to ensure our voices are heard.\u201d As\u00e9.<\/p>\n

Miracles happen every day, and I am hopeful that you are staying in expectation of such. We can also serve as miracles to others. Check in on a friend you haven\u2019t spoken to in years or plan a small gathering with no particular purpose but to just see one another and give out hugs. As you know, life\u2019s most simple pleasures are found in acts of service and love.<\/p>\n

Go Hoos!
\nDebby Stroman (Educ<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201982)<\/strong>
\nPresident, Ubunye<\/p>\n

\n

Fall 2024 Newsletter<\/h2>\n

Events<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

OAAA Welcomes Students To Grounds<\/h3>\n

Ubunye was grateful to bring greetings to students on August 30 at the Office of African American Affairs (OAAA) \u201cWelcome Back Bash.\u201d Special thanks to Dean Darren Kelly (Com<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201904)<\/strong> for the warm invitation and Rob Archer (Engr<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201985)<\/strong> and Caroline Nash (Batten<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201924)<\/strong> for their Ubunye representation and engagement with students and members of the Black Student Alliance.<\/p>\n

Boo! Halloween Fun on the Lawn<\/h3>\n

Bring the little ones back to Grounds Thursday, October 31, 2024, for UVA\u2019s annual Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn<\/a>! This cherished tradition offers a safe and fun environment for children to collect treats and enjoy the Halloween spirit with the UVA community. Alumni are welcome to join in on the festivities or volunteer to help with the event. It\u2019s a perfect opportunity to experience the joy of UVA\u2019s fall traditions.<\/p>\n

Coming Soon: Ubunye Gathering in D.C.<\/h3>\n

We asked for feedback. We have heard over and over that our fun-loving alumni base wants more opportunities to connect in between Black Alumni Weekends held on Grounds. We listened and took action.<\/p>\n

Ubunye is piloting a smaller Wahoo gathering, aka Black Alumni Gathering (BAG), for Black alumni (and family and friends) in the greater Washington, D.C. area next month.<\/strong> Stay tuned for more details on this event that will help us foster community and promote networking.<\/p>\n

Partnering with the Black Student Alliance<\/h2>\n

Ubunye cares about current students! We are excited that the Black Student Alliance (BSA) will share their news with us:<\/p>\n

\"\"Black Student Alliance would like to extend our gratitude to the Black Alumni community\u2019s constant dedication to unifying the alumni community and providing resources within the University community and beyond!<\/p>\n

As BSA transitions into the 2024-25 school year, we are excited to usher in our new Executive and Leadership team, comprised of students committed to propelling the voices and needs of Black students on Grounds through means of social-cultural activism, community service, and the facilitated building of bridges between students, alumni, faculty, and administration.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re excited to share our new logo, which reflects our emphasis on being an intentional community member on Grounds and beyond.<\/p>\n

To learn more about the logo, recent events and happenings with BSA, and ways to connect with and support current students, read our fall edition of Keeping Up with BSA<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Kishanti Barmoh (Col<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201927)<\/strong>
\nChair of Historic and Alumni Relations<\/p>\n

Zoey Brooks (Col<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201926)<\/strong>
\nDirector of Communications<\/p>\n

UBSA Connect<\/h3>\n

Harambee! UBSA is a monthly virtual gathering space for Ubunye alumni and Black Student Alliance students to discuss our careers, culture, and happenings. No agenda needed and no registration required. First Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. ET. Zoom link – TBA.<\/p>\n

We share. We ask. We listen. We bond. Together.<\/p>\n

Join us starting November 6, 2024!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month<\/h2>\n

We encourage everyone to spread the word about VOICES of Black Women<\/a>. Historically, Black women have been excluded and overlooked in critical health conversations and medical advancements, leading to a high rate of aggressive cancer diagnoses and deaths. VOICES of Black Women is a groundbreaking long-term study, led by the American Cancer Society and powered by the voices of Black women across the US who demand better outcomes for Black women\u2019s health.<\/p>\n

The goal is life-changing: to better understand health conditions like cancer and improve overall health among Black women.<\/strong> This goal is achieved as a collective, with the enrollment of at least 100,000 women over the next few years. Visit the VOICES of Black Women website<\/a> to learn more about who is eligible to join the study. Your voice matters. Now and forever. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Share Your Voice<\/a><\/p>\n

Hoos Getting to Know You<\/h2>\n

\"\"Introducing Milla Ciprian (Col<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201922)<\/strong> from our Ubunye Academics Committee. Milla is heading up our newest committee, Young Alumni. If you wish to assist her, please send us a note at ubunye@virginia.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Milla was a UVA volleyball player and winner of the ACC UNITE award<\/a>. She currently resides in Durham, NC, and is employed as a Clinical Sales Specialist at Johnson & Johnson (DePuy Synthes). See below to learn more about Milla!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

What do you know for sure?<\/strong>
\nI know that the sun will rise tomorrow, and the world will continue to move forward. As will I.<\/p>\n

Who do you admire (living)?<\/strong>
\nI admire UVA Athletics Director Carla Williams for her leadership, ethics, and integrity.<\/p>\n

What gives you hope?<\/strong>
\nWhen people are kind to know one another!<\/p>\n

What would you tell your younger teenage self?<\/strong>
\nI would tell her not to worry so much about the future. It’s okay to take risks!<\/p>\n

Your definition of leadership:<\/strong>
\nBeing able to build up people and guide them towards a common vision or goal. I personally prefer an empathetic leader who can create an inclusive environment and build trust amongst a group of people.<\/p>\n

Business Spotlight<\/h2>\n

\"\"Tony Covington (Col<\/abbr> class of <\/span>\u201990)<\/strong>, Ubunye Athletics leader, is a Winston-Salem, NC native. Tony is a proud graduate, and an international motivational speaker, mentor, and author of I AM UNDERDOG: A Journey of Adversity & Blessings<\/em>. Tony founded his own nonprofit, I AM UNDERDOG INC., which focuses on life skills development and mentorship.<\/p>\n

For the past 23+ years, Tony has worked with organizations such as the American Heart Association, Special Olympics, the NAACP, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. An exceptional student and athlete, he earned All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-American honors in football. After college, he was drafted by the NFL\u2019s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, earning All-Rookie honors and playing four seasons before finishing his career with the Seattle Seahawks. He remains active at UVA as a member of the Walter N. Ridley Scholarship Board of Directors. Tony previously served as a football radio color commentator for 12 years. Additional community volunteerism includes support at Towson University, Next Play, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He is a dedicated husband and father. Contact Tony at tcovington2@yahoo.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

UVA Black History<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n