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CBAA Announces the James and Janice Turner Scholarship Endowment
Founded in 1976, the Cornell Black Alumni Association
(CBAA) was conceived as an organization devoted to providing a communication network for Black alumni. CBAA's current mission
is to promote the professional development of Black alumni; to provide opportunities for alumni to "give back" to
the Cornell community; to provide support for current Black students at Cornell through the endowment of scholarships and
the development of other resources; and to aid in maintaining the diversity of the student body at Cornell by assisting the
University in its recruitment efforts. CORNELL BLACK ALUMNI ASSOCIATION __________________________________________________________________________________________________ January 2012 Hello CBAA Family, I greet
you with great enthusiasm and excitement for all the initiatives that we are continuing on behalf of Cornell Black alumni
and students. Did you have an opportunity to join
us at some of our recent events? Perhaps you attended our Gala Celebration honoring Dr. James and Janice Turner at Uptown
G in Harlem, or attended the Young Alumni Holiday Party in New York City that CBAA co-sponsored? How about the celebration
of Leonard Kennedy in Washington D.C. at Acadiana or the V.I.P. reception hosted by our generous alum Conrad Kenley? Perhaps
we just met at the CBAA General Body Meeting at the Schomberg Center for Black Culture and Research in January 2012, or you
joined us via livestream at the Cornell Alumni Association website. If you attended, thank you so much for your participation,
but if you have not there will be plenty of opportunity in the near future. CBAA continues to move the bar in the five initiatives that we outlined as priorities. Reimaging Cornell to include a racially diverse student, faculty, staff and
engaged alumni population. Addressing the academic
gaps that are prevalent within the Cornell Black student communities, particularly addressing issues facing Black males. Providing opportunites for professional development and career
advancement for our young, middle and older alumni populations experiencing job transitions. Providing a 21st century communication model. Fundraising for the CBAA scholarships including the newly endowed James and
Janice Turner Scholarship. The initiatives were
created in a time of great transition for both Cornell University and the Cornell Black Alumni Association. I am pleased that
through our collaboration with CBAA constituents, Cornell senior leadership, Board of Trustees, faculty, administration and
of course our students, that great strides have been made in every area. This weekend I am attending the Cornell Alumni Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. It is always great to speak
to our constituents face to face and hear the praises and concerns from our alumni body. I am most proud of the collaborative
work and partnerships CBAA has formed with our brothers and sisters in other diversity groups such as the Asian, Latino and
Native American clubs to name a few. For those
who know me personally, you may be aware that my philosophy is that CBAA's strength lies in our ability as an organization
to work across organizational lines with all other aspects of Cornell. In our global culture we no longer have room for isolation.
We also do not have room for the limited perspectives that some hold for what "Black is" or what "Blacks do".
Many CBAA constituents are proud to be members of our organization, but also have affinity in other areas. I heard a comment
this weekend from a CBAA member that said "You know we don't rock climb", then two minutes later I met a young alum
who stated how much they enjoyed climbing the rock wall at Cornell. It is time as alumni leaders, volunteers and constituents
that we display ALL of who we are to the next generation. We must embrace that we are more than the stereotypes shackled on us by other and sometimes ourselves. CBAA does
not only represent one point of view. We are not a monolithic people. So at this time I invite all of you to move forward
with me. In the next few weeks we will post our
event schedule that will lead us into Reunion 2012! I encourage you all to join us June 7th in Ithaca and to attend at least
one kickoff event to learn about the current CBAA and help shape the CBAA of the future. In the interim, if you want to host
a kickoff program in your hometown please e-mail me at jdb12@cornell.edu and put "CBAA Program" in the subject line
and we will work with you to make it happen. Whether it is hosting a Black History Month celebration.....or rock climbing,
let me know. CBAA is for engagement for all and
I look forward to continuing the ride with you! All
Best, Jonelle Bradshaw de Hernandez CBAA President
2009-2012 Cornell University Council Mosaic Steering Committee
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Historical Fact: By
the 1890s there were several African American Cornellians. The first bachelor's degrees to African American students at
the university were awarded in 1897 and 1898. In 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha, the first national college fraternity for African
Americans, was founded in Ithaca by seven Cornell students.
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