Association of Vanderbilt Black Alumni (AVBA)

Welcome to AVBA!

Current AVBA membership: 7,380

Volunteering

Volunteers are vital to the success of AVBA. These opportunities allow for engagement with fellow alumni, current students and the broader Vanderbilt community. Thank you for your consideration!

  • AVBA Mentor - The AVBA Mentoring program is a meaningful volunteer opportunity for Vanderbilt alumni to engage with current students. Mentors are asked to connect with their mentees monthly throughout the program. To learn more, and sign up please visit our mentorship page.
  • AVBA Community Agent - Community Agents play an important role in connecting with classmates and university, panning and encouraging attendance at events and driving support of Vanderbilt during key campaigns. Vanderbilt staff makes volunteering easy by providing you with everything you need like templates for outreach, contact information for classmates, etc. It's a great way to stay involved and connected with other alumni. If you are interested in getting involved, please complete the Volunteer Interest Form.
  • AVBA Leadership - The AVBA Board is made up of a President and chairs of the standing committees. The chairs create goals and lead the volunteers on their committee. See the members of the AVBA Board listed below and reach out to Myria Carpenter if you have any questions.

Leadership

  • Myria Carpenter, BS'97

    Myria Carpenter, BS'97

    President

    • Bowie, MD
  • Danielle Bolling Lewis, MEd'18

    Danielle Bolling Lewis, MEd'18

    Outreach and Communications Chair

    • Nashville, TN
  • Beth Cooperidge, BA'09

    Beth Cooperidge, BA'09

    University Initiatives Co-Chair

    • Hendersonville, TN
  • Doug Murrell, BS'95

    Doug Murrell, BS'95

    University Initiatives Co-Chair

    • Jacksonville Beach, FL
  • Chris Nickson, BA'08

    Chris Nickson, BA'08

    Scholarship and Philanthropy Co-Chair

    • Antioch, TN
  • Rodney Williams, BS'01, MEd'02

    Rodney Williams, BS'01, MEd'02

    Scholarship and Philanthropy Co-Chair

    • Atlanta, GA
  • Chiedza Chauruka, BA'18

    Chiedza Chauruka, BA'18

    Programming Co-Chair

    • Boston, MA
  • Wendy Wright, JD'13

    Wendy Wright, JD'13

    Programming Co-Chair

    • Houston, TX