CBAA'S 12TH REUNION ROCKED!

On June 6th-8th we returned to campus for CBAA's 12th reunion weekend, in record numbers! We registered over 230 reunion attendees, and 242 alumni, guests and friends attended our culminating Saturday night dinner. We also had over 30 first-time attendees, primarily alumni from the 90s, who were the largest alumni decade in attendance. Our theme for the weekend was "The Ties that Bind." We focused on a mix of workshops and tributes designed to enlighten and strengthen our ability to succeed in areas of health and well-being, heritage and economics.

We kicked off the reunion on a gorgeous Friday afternoon, at the Kroch Library. The Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections hosted a special reception in honor of CBAA. Cornell University Library Fellow, Petrina Jackson made a presentation tracing the history of African-Americans at Cornell back to the 1800's and she discussed the role that we can play in documenting black history at Cornell. We then enjoyed a tour of the Library's exhibit on "Abolitionism in America" and were wined and dined on sumptuous appetizers and a selection of fine wines. This was followed by a Caribbean/Southern buffet style dinner. We would be remiss in not giving praise to Cornell dining for surprising us with real southern style collard greens, and sweet ice tea, along with jerk chicken and fried catfish. We send a special "Thanks" to the new Cornell Dining General Manager.

On Saturday morning following the CBAA general body meeting, we participated in a workshop on African American entrepreneurship and a discussion on Health Care Disparities among African Americans. Following our reunion lunch barbecue, we headed to Goldwin Smith Hall for a panel discussion titled, " Strengthening Relationships among Alumni, Students and Faculty." Moderated by Vice Provost Robert Harris, panel participants Ray Dalton, Vice Provost Isaac Kramnick, Trustee Elizabeth Moore, and Student Trustee Funa Maduka presented their perspectives on University efforts to strengthen relations and address the issues and challenges facing us as alumni and students.

Words unfortunately can not convey the emotional and inspirational impact of our Saturday night dinner! The program included an extremely moving Memorial video, produced by Frank Dawson '72. The video was a visual and audio tribute to over 80 deceased African American alumni (most of whom were from classes of the 70s and 80s). This was CBAA's first Memorial tribute, and it was long overdue. It brought home how blessed we all are, and the importance of staying connected. We continued with recognizing our Legacy families, in a new program called the CBAA Legacy Recognition Program. We honored 2nd and even a few 3rd generation African American alumni parents/children. We also presented an award to Funa Maduka, Student Trustee, who has already made a substantial difference at Cornell. The evening concluded with an inspirational message from Dennis Williams '73, our keynote speaker. He discussed the extremely difficult political and social environment in which we are currently positioned. Dennis also challenged us to continue to support and promote the attendance, in greater numbers, of African American undergraduate students who are less fortunate than whom we have become (remember from whence we came)!

And let's not forget about the parrtyys! We grooved with both The Legendary DJs 131 in Ujamaa on Friday and Saturday nights and Rich Medina '92 played old school at the Big Red Barn.

On behalf of Shani Waugh, Reunion Co-Chair and myself, I would like to acknowledge our reunion committee and others that contributed to the overall success of the event, including: David Abrahams '76, Sandra Black '73, Marita Dangerfield-Harris '85, Frank Dawson '72, Angela Lamb '00, Allen Lamb '01, Donnie Scrutchins '74, Ujamaa Residential College Director Ken Glover, the staff of the Office of Alumni Affairs, Vice Provosts Isaac Kramnick and Robert Harris, Ray Dalton, Elizabeth Moore, Funa Maduka, ,and Dennis Williams '73.

All in all, it was a wonderful event, although I functioned on less than 8 hours sleep the whole week-end, and Shani and I both agree, that someone else will need to step up and plan the next reunion !!! In fact, we are seeking volunteers now, to begin planning, CBAA Reunion Update 2006, which will be CBAA's 30th anniversary!!

Regina (Gina) Little-Durham '78
Reunion Programming Chair 2003
CBAA President, 2003-2005