25th Anniversary Celebration
More than 275 attendees reunited October 15-17 to celebrate 25 years of the Association of Vanderbilt Black Alumni (AVBA) and reconnect with each other and the university. Weekend programs included lectures by the Rev. James Lawson, D’71, Distinguished Visiting Professor; Rosevelt Noble, BS’97, PhD’03; and a student-alumni panel discussion moderated by Calvin Baldwin, BE’98.
A highlight of the weekend was the 25th anniversary banquet, “Change—Looking Back on Yesterday to Pave the Way for Tomorrow,” featuring keynote speaker Bishop Joseph Warren Walker III, MDiv’92, on Friday evening. Special remarks were provided by Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos, AVBA President Ken Jordan (JD’74) and AVBA Reunion 25th Anniversary Chair Jennifer Horne (BS’05, MEd’06).
AVBA received several recognitions at the banquet including a presentation by Tennessee State Rep. Brenda Gilmore (MEd’88) of a proclamation to AVBA on behalf of the state of Tennessee. Another was a resolution to AVBA presented by Vanderbilt Student Government President Wyatt Smith, a Peabody senior, and Black Student Alliance President Angelica Ibezim, an Arts & Science senior. AVBA recognized Chancellor Zeppos as an honorary member and presented him with a commemorative certificate.
The formal lineup of celebration events culminated with the annual business meeting at the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center. Attendees heard from Ken Jordan and Vanderbilt Alumni Association President Billy Ray Caldwell (BA’85) about strategic plans for the Vanderbilt Alumni Association and AVBA. Alumni also had the opportunity to ask questions and share ideas regarding the future of AVBA.
- Share your story
- Get reconnected or update your contact information
- Volunteer to host an AVBA event in your city during the year-long celebration
