{"id":353,"date":"2025-12-19T16:07:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T21:07:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aig.uvaalumni.org\/ubunye\/?p=353"},"modified":"2025-12-19T16:08:24","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T21:08:24","slug":"read-the-winter-ubunye-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aig.uvaalumni.org\/ubunye\/2025\/12\/read-the-winter-ubunye-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"Read the Winter Ubunye Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"color: #232d4b\">President&#8217;s Message<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft  wp-image-355\" src=\"https:\/\/aig.uvaalumni.org\/ubunye\/files\/2025\/12\/kwanzaa-photo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"259\" height=\"173\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aig.uvaalumni.org\/ubunye\/files\/2025\/12\/kwanzaa-photo.jpg 612w, https:\/\/aig.uvaalumni.org\/ubunye\/files\/2025\/12\/kwanzaa-photo-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/aig.uvaalumni.org\/ubunye\/files\/2025\/12\/kwanzaa-photo-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 259px) 100vw, 259px\" \/>Jambo!<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cThe 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&#8217;s culture.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Dr. Maulana Karenga<\/p>\n<p>As we close out the year, I am drawn to this past year\u2019s memories of the very rich experiences for our alumni community. We struggled and survived, we showed up and showed out \u2013 personally and professionally. We grieved the loss of loved ones and celebrated the accomplishments of many. And here we stand.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve 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 \u2013 financially and socially. Full stop.<\/p>\n<p>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 \u201conly one\u201d in the room brought us closer together or as we say, \u201cmade UVA a HBCU.\u201d And now we wrestle with the idea of what does it really mean to belong to this institution.<\/p>\n<p>I believe that we can\u2019t 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\u2019t quit.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019t turn away from being an informed alum. Our brilliance and boldness is needed on Grounds and for our own protection and safety. Let\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>May the spirit of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org\/\">Kwanzaa<\/a> live in our hearts each day. May we hold steadfast to and strive to represent our \u201cNguzo Saba\u201d principles of unity, faith, self-determination, collective economics, purpose, creativity, collective work and responsibility, and faith.<\/p>\n<p>Go Hoos!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Debby Stroman (<abbr title=\"School of Education &amp; Human Development\">Educ<\/abbr> <span class=\"visually-hidden\">class of <\/span>\u201982)<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr class=\"dots orange\" \/>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #232d4b\">Upcoming Events<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #e57200\">Black Alumni Weekend<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Ubunye has partnered with <a href=\"https:\/\/uvaalumni.org\/ridley\/\">The Ridley Scholarship Program<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/virginiasports.com\/\">UVA Athletics<\/a> to offer a variety of engagement opportunities for our alumni community. <strong>Starting with <a href=\"https:\/\/uvaalumni.org\/baw\/\">Black Alumni Weekend<\/a> (<abbr title=\"Black Alumni Weekend\">BAW<\/abbr>), happening April 10\u201312, 2026, we will host two free events featuring distinguished alumni and special guests.<\/strong> On Thursday, April 9 current student athletes will have the opportunity to hear career and \u201clife after sports\u201d 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 <abbr title=\"Black Alumni Weekend\">BAW<\/abbr> schedule but are free, and open to all. Stay tuned for more details\u2014we hope to see you there!<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #e57200\">Cavaliers indo para o Brasil<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #e57200\">Save-the-Date! Global Road Trip for the Hoos<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/theacc.com\/news\/2025\/12\/1\/college-football-brasil-to-make-history-as-first-college-football-game-played-in-south-america.aspx\">UVA and NC State football<\/a> will face off in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 29, 2026. Thanks, ACC!<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo 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,\u201d stated Commissioner, Atlantic Coast Conference, Jim Phillips, Ph.D. \u201cThis 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\u2019re proud of both institutions for leading the way in this historic event and our partners at ESPN, who will broadcast this premier event.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>If you wish to stay in touch with our Brazil planning, please send a note to <a href=\"mailto:ubunyeuva@gmail.com\">ubunyeuva@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"dots orange\" \/>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #232d4b\">Stay Connected on Socials<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Have you noticed our new engaging postings on our Instagram account? Our Ubunye intern, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/riley-paige-belisle-411201340\/\">Riley-Paige Belisle<\/a> (<abbr title=\"College of Arts &amp; Sciences\">Col<\/abbr> <span class=\"visually-hidden\">class of <\/span>\u201928)<\/strong> is doing that thang. Let\u2019s 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 @<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ubunye_uva\/\">ubunye_uva<\/a> and join the Black alumni groups on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/uvablkalumni\">Facebook<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/groups\/91467\/\">LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"dots orange\" \/>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #232d4b\">Congratulations UVA Athletics<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft  wp-image-354\" src=\"https:\/\/aig.uvaalumni.org\/ubunye\/files\/2025\/12\/williams-and-elliott.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"322\" height=\"192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aig.uvaalumni.org\/ubunye\/files\/2025\/12\/williams-and-elliott.jpg 779w, https:\/\/aig.uvaalumni.org\/ubunye\/files\/2025\/12\/williams-and-elliott-300x179.jpg 300w, https:\/\/aig.uvaalumni.org\/ubunye\/files\/2025\/12\/williams-and-elliott-768x459.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 322px) 100vw, 322px\" \/>UVA Athletics, Dr. Carla Williams, and Tony Elliott: You believed. You set a standard. You made us smile.<\/p>\n<p>Thanks for breaking records, making history, showcasing our university on a global stage, and creating a positive image of UVA football.<\/p>\n<p>We see you. We treasure your friendship and effort for sustained excellence!<\/p>\n<hr class=\"dots orange\" \/>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #232d4b\">Legal Matters: A Supreme Accomplishment for Fulton and Powell<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Junius P. Fulton (<abbr title=\"College of Arts &amp; Sciences\">Col<\/abbr> <span class=\"visually-hidden\">class of <\/span>\u201981)<\/strong> was elected to serve on the Virginia Supreme Court alongside fellow jurist <strong>Cleo E. Powell (<abbr title=\"College of Arts &amp; Sciences\">Col<\/abbr> <span class=\"visually-hidden\">class of <\/span>\u201979)<\/strong>. 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&#8217;s highest court, is the newly elected chief justice. Read more about Fulton\u2019s remarkable journey from a defense attorney to the bench.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"dots orange\" \/>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #232d4b\">High School Help: Pipeline Focus<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Vicky McPherson (<abbr title=\"College of Arts &amp; Sciences\">Col<\/abbr> <span class=\"visually-hidden\">class of <\/span>\u201999)<\/strong> 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/accesscollege.org\/\">Access College Foundation<\/a>, Vicky has coordinated a virtual meeting on January 7, 2026, for high schoolers to meet alumni to learn more about academics and college life. <strong>\u201cPathways to UVA: From High School to Higher Education\u201d is a new Ubunye effort to maintain a pipeline of diverse students interested in applying and enrolling at UVA.<\/strong> 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 <a href=\"mailto:ubunyeuva@gmail.com\">ubunyeuva@gmail.com<\/a> to engage and support!<\/p>\n<hr class=\"dots orange\" \/>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #232d4b\">Hoos Doing Business<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/aig.uvaalumni.org\/ubunye\/get-involved\/\">share your company information<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"dots orange\" \/>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #232d4b\">UVA Black History<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>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<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/uvamagazine.org\/articles\/first_on_the_lawn\">Celebrating the Life of Roy Willis<\/a><\/strong> &#8211; <strong>Roy Willis (<abbr title=\"College of Arts &amp; Sciences\">Col<\/abbr> <span class=\"visually-hidden\">class of <\/span>\u201962)<\/strong>, the first African-American graduate of the College of Arts &amp; Sciences and the first African-American student to live on the Lawn, passed away this October. In 2010, President John T. Casteen III (<abbr title=\"College of Arts &amp; Sciences\">Col<\/abbr> <span class=\"visually-hidden\">class of <\/span>\u201965, <abbr title=\"Graduate School of Arts &amp; Sciences\">Grad<\/abbr> <span class=\"visually-hidden\">class of <\/span>\u201970) honored Willis with a plaque at 43 West Lawn, where Willis resided from 1961 to 1962. \u201cYou will find very few plaques around Grounds,\u201d President Casteen said. \u201cThey are reserved for the most extraordinary people and extraordinary things.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/uvamagazine.org\/articles\/the_black_bus_stop_is_a_landmark_only_a_minority_knew_about?fbclid=IwAR1qj0NxlknvUnNhXeKdiZ2Y71ZDw5B-K-xPBbIru5vX1orP22Rt9k6NHGI\">Black Bus Stop<\/a><\/strong> &#8211; Denise Watson wrote about the Black Bus Stop on McCormick Road for Virginia Magazine in 2019.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"dots orange\" \/>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #232d4b\">Hoos on the Go!<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you travel outside the USA, please send a picture in your UVA gear to <a href=\"mailto:ubunyeuva@gmail.com\">ubunyeuva@gmail.com<\/a>. We will feature it in the next newsletter.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"dots orange\" \/>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #232d4b\">Stay Connected with Ubunye<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>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\u2019d like to celebrate with fellow alumni! Questions or submissions? Contact\u202f<a href=\"mailto:ubunye@virginia.edu\">ubunye@virginia.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/188931970@N04\/sets\/72177720330853737\/\">See photos from Ubunye events<\/a> in our Flickr album.<\/p>\n<p>Visit our\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/aig.uvaalumni.org\/ubunye\/get-involved\/\">Get Involved<\/a>\u202fpage and\u202fuse <a href=\"https:\/\/aig.uvaalumni.org\/ubunye\/get-involved\/\">our submission links<\/a>\u202ffor specific events, business opportunities, and listing of attorneys.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a class=\"btn btn-orange\" href=\"https:\/\/aig.uvaalumni.org\/ubunye\/get-involved\/\">Get Involved<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>President&#8217;s Message Jambo! \u201cThe 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&#8217;s culture.\u201d \u2014 Dr. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":107,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-353","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - 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