Brown University's Inman Page Black Alumni Council (IPC)

Past News

Re-cap of Commencement Weekend Events 2009

Alumni Reunion Forum ‐ The 1968 Walkout: A Turning Point in Brown’s History

On December 5, 1968, African American students at Brown and Pembroke colleges left campus to protest what they saw as a lack of University support for black students. Forty years later, Brown is a changed institution. Alumni who participated in the five‐day demonstration reflected on their Brown experience during the Civil Rights Movement and how far we’ve come.

Panel:

Sandra Crew ’71, P’00, P’04

Dean Dent ’74, P’09

Kenneth McDaniel ’69, P’13

Theodore Sherrod ’69

Spencer Crew ’71, P’00, P’04 (Moderator)

IPC Annual Meeting

The IPC Annual Meeting highlighted IPC's goals and activities including launching of the national website, matriculation campaign to call prospective students, as well as results from the 2008 IPC Survey. A video re-cap of the highly successful “Yes We Did” Inaugural Celebration in Washington, DC was also shown. After the update, alumni separated into small group breakout sessions to discuss the following topics in further detail and provide feedback:

Alumni of Color campaign: What information or activities would motivate you to donate to the?
Black Alumni Reunion: Would alumni be interested in this type of gathering and what events and activities would motivate alumni to attend?
Alumni & Student Relations: What types of events/activities should we plan to further connect IPC alumni with current students ( including graduate students)?
Archiving Our History: What are some interactive ways IPC can document our history as black students, alumni and faculty at Brown University?

If you have any suggestions or feedback for IPC, please e-mail us at contact@inmanpagecouncil.com. We welcome your comments.

Please visit the following links to view the 2008 survey results, and the Annual Meeting presentation:

Results of 2008 Survey

Annual Meeting Presentation

The ONYX Rites of Passage Celebration

The ONYX Rites of Passage Celebration for the 2009 black graduates took place at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Roland Laird '82 was the keynote speaker. Kente stoles were distributed as a gift from IPC to the graduating seniors. After a few, brief words from IPC President Richard Gray ’85 speaking about the importance of the transition from being a student to being an alum, alums handed out the stoles to the graduates, greeted them with love and personally welcomed them to the IPC fold. Click here to view the Rites of Passage Ceremony Program.

IPC House Party “Party Like It’s 1999” at Rites and Reason

Hundreds of alumni of all ages and ethnicities descended on Rites and Reason Theater for the annual IPC House Party. This year’s theme was “Party Like It’s 1999”. Light fare was provided by Tina’s Caribbean Restaurant and music was provided by DJ “S-Class”. It was a very lively evening and everyone who attended had a wonderful time. Please view the photos in our Photo Gallery.

IPC extends a very special thank you to the staff of Rites and Reason: Professor Elmo Terry-Morgan, Administrative Assistant Dawn Jackson, and Technical Director Alonzo Jones. To make a donation to Rites and Reason for the Alumni of Color Initiative, click here. Scroll to the bottom to the "Boldly Brown: The Alumni of Color Initiative" section, and click "Endowed Department Support Fund for Africana Studies".

In addition, the party would not have been possible without the tremendous efforts of the party’s host committee. They were instrumental in promoting the event, setting up for the party, and donating beverages for everyone’s enjoyment.

Artis Arnold ‘99
Miranda Craigwell ‘04
Richard Gray ‘85
Ellen Hunter ‘04
Steven Hunter ‘99
Shirley Johnson ‘04
Alissa Mayers ‘03
Crystal McQueen ‘04
Robyn Neblett ‘99
Vladamir Paul-Blanc ‘03
Jessica Reid-Adam ‘99
Tiffani Scott ‘98
Ebonee Williams ‘99

IPC Alumni Honored for their Service to Brown

Alumni Service Awards are given annually for distinguished, continuing volunteer service to Brown in any field of alumni activity “to recognize those very special people whose work, love of Brown, spirit of cooperation and selflessness stand out and who will continue to provide these invaluable services.” Six to eight award recipients are chosen each year by an anonymous committee consisting of alumni leaders and staff. The prestigious Brown Bear Award is given by the association to recognize "outstanding and wide-ranging personal service rendered the University over a period of years." Each year, an anonymous committee reviews nominations from alumni and staff and selects one to three recipients. Winners of the Brown Bear Award have usually distinguished themselves as volunteers for Brown in more than one area over a period of many years.

	JAVETTE PINKNEY LAREMONT '80
	Javette Pinkney Laremont was honored with the Brown Bear Award for her dedication to Brown and her efforts to ensure the continued progress of the University. President Ruth Simmons and the Brown Alumni Association stated that she brings the highest level of dedication and time to her many volunteer roles for Brown – including being a founding member of IPC, BASC interviewer, class officer, Brown Club Board Member, and Brown Alumni Association President. Javette is currently a Group Director of Product Management for a leading securities settlement and clearance technology firm.

	BRICKSON DIAMOND '93
	Brickson Diamond has been an active, engaged alumnus since graduation and was recently honored with an Alumni Service Award. From BASC, BRUnet, Class Gift Committee, Los Angeles Brown Club, the President’s Advisory Council on Tougaloo, and the Campaign for Academic Enrichment – he has truly done it all for Brown. He is currently Senior Vice President of an investment management company that advises wealthy individuals, families and non-profit organizations.

	PRESTON TISDALE '73
	Preston Tisdale was awarded an Alumni Service Award for being a class leader, BASC leader, Brown Club leader and, most recently, President IPC. In that role, he was instrumental in planning the first-ever IPC all-class reunion. In all his volunteer roles, he has displayed a wise and confident leadership style that makes people instantly comfortable and willing to work hard. He is currently the Director of Special Public Defenders for the State of Connecticut.

OUAP Election Watching Social by Lindsay Priam '11

OUAP (The Black Student Union) had an election-watching social with an enormous turn out. The room went absolutely crazy when we saw "Breaking News: Barack Obama Elected President." Once all of the speeches finished, everyone helped clean up and literally hundreds of Brown students somehow managed to organize and walk up Thayer Street, cut through RISD, past Kennedy Plaza all the way to the steps of the State House. Then the Mayor came out and said a few words to the crowd. It was amazing, and I couldn't imagine being anywhere else.

Yesterday was the first time that black students on campus visibly made it clear to the entire student body that we were rooting for Obama. OUAP, the Graduate School, and the Med School did a great job uniting everyone. As Obama said though, this is just the beginning and I think this is what the black community needed to push us forward.

Lindsay Priam '11
Economics and Sociology
Brown University

Brown University’s Inman Page Black Alumni Council Launches National Web site

Brown University’s Inman Page Black Alumni Council (IPC), chartered by the Brown Alumni Association in 2001, launched a new interactive web site on January 5, 2009 powered by the Karma Content Management System to connect the black alumni community of Brown University. The new site, www.inmanpagecouncil.org, features multimedia content to keep alumni informed of current news and events. The web site is expected to strengthen the organization and encourage local chapter growth. Through the significant efforts and dedication of several alumni over the last few years, IPC is pleased that this project has reached completion.

In addition to the web site, IPC also uses e-mail listservs and a Facebook group page to encourage interaction online. Together, these features enable alumni to share relevant information more effectively. With two active local chapters in New York and Philadelphia (who jointly maintain their own local web site at www.inmanpagenyc.org) and two emerging chapters in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, IPC considers the Internet to be critically important in connecting all of the black alumni community, regardless of location. “An active website is critical to moving IPC forward as a national organization,” said Richard Gray ‘85, current IPC National President.

Feedback on the website and suggestions for improvement are welcome. Please submit comments using the "Contact Us" form on the web site.

The new web site features:

Volunteering – opportunities to get involved with IPC’s various initiatives
Local Chapters – contact information for your local chapter
Photo Gallery – pictures from various IPC-related events
Video – clips of interest related to Brown University
Events – listing of upcoming events in various cities
Spotlight – profiles of notable Brown alumni
Quick Links – links to the IPC Facebook page, listservs and Brown websites
Archives – archived files that chronicle the history of IPC
Contact Us – a form that can be used to contact the leadership of IPC
Mailing Lists – alumni are able to sign up for mailing lists including general interest, specific geographical areas, and volunteer activities

For additional information, please contact:

Tiffani Scott '98

IPC National Secretary

E-mail: tiffani_scott@hotmail.com

Yes We Did - IPC Presidential Inauguration Celebration in Washington, DC

As you probably know, IPC is hosting an Inaugural Celebration in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, January 18. We are pleasantly surprised at the overwhelming number of RSVPs we have received for this event.

IPC allocated a portion of our annual budget to pay for this important event and will recoup some of the costs from ticket donations. Due to the enormous alumni response to the “Yes We Did” Celebration, IPC had to secure more space at the venue and will incur added charges for each additional event attendee. Those additional charges mean that we far exceed the amount we originally budgeted.

Rather than view this as a problem, we see it as a testament to the passion of the Black alumni of Brown University to participate in celebration of this historical event in Washington, D.C. and a desire to share this experience with each other. So we want to take a part from the highly successful Obama campaign and ask you each to play a part in helping us to make this event a success by making a donation to help reduce the cost of this IPC event. We are requesting a contribution of $25, but any amount smaller or larger will be greatly appreciated.

Each person who donates will be recognized by name as a “Supporter” at the event and also on our website (see list below). It’s a small way for you to share in the Inaugural Celebration, even if you are unable to attend.

Your donation will help IPC fulfill its mission to strengthen Brown University by directly addressing the needs and concerns of its Black alumni and establishing a productive interaction among Black alumni, students, faculty and staff.

To make a $25 donation, please click here.

If you would like to donate an amount other than $25, please send us an e-mail at contact@inmanpagecouncil.com with your donation amount and we will e-mail you a special link to donate.

Thank you very much for your continuing support of IPC!

Supporters

Monique Rowtham-Kennedy '88
Tracy Davis '89
Atiba Mbiwan '82
John Graves '86
Folami Prescott-Adams '82
Robyn Jones '77
Mildrilyn Davis '76
Erica Taylor '97
Russell Malbrough '99
Anthony Teat '88
Judith Burrell '74
Andrea O'Neal '03
James DeBardelaben '91
Rangarirayi Muvavarirwa '91
Deborah Young '76, MD '80
Timothy Young '75, MD '80
Wanda Adefris '84
Rhonda Gans '84
Stephanie Collier '79
Audra Gray '97
Joanna Lee '97
Annette Saviet '73
Kathryn Parker '87
Vincent Rougeau '85
Kenya Crumel '93
Sherry Mills '78
Brian Benjamin '98
David Brown '92
Ted Newman '55
Henry Lust '75
Roophy Roy '05
Michelle Ifill '82
Christopher Miller '95
Annie Hillary '74
Camille Richardson
James Little '87
Donna Lambert '98

First in their Fields: Obama and Simmons

A FLYP magazine multimedia package about President Obama’s first 100 days in office offers insights from President Ruth J. Simmons about breaking down barriers, Michelle Obama’s important role, and how the world’s view of the United States is changing.

To view video clips of President Ruth Simmons speaking about President Obama, click here.

Brown Admits 10.8% in most selective year ever

Months of nerves and anticipation will finally come to an end today for 22,645 regular decision applicants to the University, who can go online to view their decisions at 5 p.m. Eastern.

Dean of Admissions James Miller '73 said this year's applicant pool was the largest ever, representing a 21 percent increase from the previous year - the greatest reported rise in applications among Ivy League schools this year. "It's a very, very talented applicant pool ... the most talented applicant pool I've ever seen," Miller said.

Of the total 24,988 applicants - including both early and regular decision - 2,708 will be admitted. According to Miller, the Office of Admissions sent out acceptance letters to 10.8 percent of applicants, while 13.3 percent were admitted last year. There could be several explanations for the this year's application surge, Miller said. "One is that we have changed the way we recruit," he said, adding that Brown now joins other institutions such as Yale and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to give information sessions and lure prospective students.

To read the full article in the Brown Daily Herald, click here.

Brown to award Aretha Franklin Honorary Degree

Music legend Aretha Franklin and seven other well-known academic, business and humanitarian leaders are to receive honorary degrees at Brown University's 241st commencement, on Sunday, May 24.

Brown University President Ruth J. Simmons will confer the degrees on a health advocate, an anthropologist, and an anti-poverty activist, among others.

Grammy-award winning Aretha Franklin, often called "the Queen of Soul," will receive an honorary doctor of music degree. She was named the No. 1 female vocalist of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. Among Franklin's most famous recordings are "Respect," "A Natural Woman," and "Chain of Fools." She sang "My Country, 'tis of Thee," at the January inauguration of President Barack Obama. In 2005, Franklin received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

To read the full article in the Providence Journal, click here.

Building of the Washington, DC Chapter

A diverse group of Black Alumni of Brown University gathered to “meet and greet,” network and celebrate the election of Barack Obama as the next President of the United States. This inspiring and engaging gathering, held on the evening of Thursday, November 13, 2008, was sponsored by the Washington Area Brown University Inman Page Alumni Council Organizing Committee. Hosted by Kenneth S. Slaughter '73, at his offices at Venable, LLC, the event was also the initial “friends raising” meeting to generate interest and support for a regional site of the IPC focused on alumni in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. (Such activity would include Maryland and Virginia—and could include alumni in other nearby states, such as West Virginia, North Carolina, and Delaware.)

With attendance including 35 Brown graduates, Black Alumni renewed friendships, established new business contacts and established the social foundation for a planned, Washington area IPC. Ten people volunteered at the event to join the other Organizing Committee members to support the development and execution of future events.

Organizing committee members include:

Denise Bledsoe '75, Co-Director
Saul McDonald '06, Co-Director
Kenneth Slaughter '73
Glenn Dixon '70, Marketing/Events Coordinator
Estelle Acquah '07, Outreach/Communications
Lisa Holden-Pitt '75
Maurice Pitt '75
Craig Washington
Linda Quander '75
Lola Hatcher '76
Rosetta Hillary '73

To celebrate the election of President-Elect Obama, Brown Alumni Thomas Hart '77, and Skip Kelly '77, screened a segment of their upcoming documentary, Believe: The Barack Obama Story. The documentary follows Obama’s life from childhood through his arduous campaign and the stirring movement that swept him to the Presidency. The project has been developed by On The Potomac Productions, the production company created by Tom and Skip. It is currently in production and projected to be completed in early January 2009. On the Potomac has also produced documentaries on the lives of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and rhythm & blues icon, James Brown. In a most entertaining raffle during the event, two copies of the Martin Luther King, Jr. documentary and two copies of the James Brown documentary were presented to four lucky alumni as door prizes.

Newly elected national IPC President-Elect Rosetta Hillary '73 made brief remarks, and used the opportunity to draw alumni attention to the Alumni of Color Campaign. All were encouraged to make donations to the national effort and to be as supportive as possible.

A follow-up event is planned for early in the upcoming year, possibly during Inaugural Weekend or in February (Black History Month). The organizing committee expects the upcoming event will be even more successful and attract an even broader spectrum of Washington Area Brown alumni, faculty and friends.