We hope you’ll join us at Black Alumni Weekend (BAW) for opportunities to connect, network, and engage with UVA alumni returning to Grounds! Current UVA students can participate in select events at no cost. Please register for the events you plan to attend by Friday, April 12. Questions about BAW? Contact baw@virginia.edu.
Virtual Events
Get the party started before April and connect with your BAW community! Check out these free virtual events featuring some pretty impressive alumni.
Please register for each of these events individually.
- Early Days Alumni Panel
Friday, March 22 at 2 p.m. ET
Charles (Corky) Conyers (Col ’75), Thomasine Hill (Educ ’78), Blake Morant (Col ’75, Law ’78), Eileen Olds (Col ’79), and Francine Olds (Nurs ’79) will share reflections and wisdom with alumni across all generations and celebrate the legacy and impact of Black alumni on the life of the University. Register for Early Days Alumni Panel - Alumni in Entertainment and Media
Tuesday, March 26 at 3 p.m. ET
Join actor Jason George (Col ’94), general counsel Endi Piper (Col ’93), casting director Rhavynn Drummer (Col ’07), and actor Rodney Hobbs (Com ’94) for a discussion about their careers and experiences in the entertainment industry. Register for Alumni in Entertainment and Media Panel
Events During Black Alumni Weekend (April 18–21)
To register for any of these events below, please submit this registration form.
Thursday, April 18
- Black Excellence in Engineering
2–5:30 p.m., Rotunda, Dome Room
To kick off Black Alumni Weekend, the School of Engineering and Applied Science will host a symposium spotlighting Black Excellence in our engineering community. Join us for talks from our Alumni and Faculty on the how their experiences in engineering (and beyond) help make the world a better place. Featured speakers include Dr. Cato Laurencin, Dr. Orenthal Tucker (Engr ’06), and Dr. Wesley Harris (Engr ’64). Hosted in partnership with the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. - Black Alumni Weekend Speaker Series
6:30–8 p.m., Alumni Hall
Join the Student Alumni Council for a Black Alumni Weekend Alumni Speaker Series dinner on Thursday, April 18 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.! Hear from UVA Black alumni as they share about their career journeys and provide advice to current students. The event will feature a presentation, a catered dinner, and a networking period for students to mingle and speak with alumni. Seats are limited, so register today to reserve a spot!
Friday, April 19
- Connecting Futures: Black Business Showcase and Panel Discussion
1–2 p.m., Alumni Hall, Ballroom
Join Rich Diemer (Com ’80), co-founder of CAV Angels, a non-profit network composed of UVA alumni, faculty, parents, students, and friends of the University that identify investment opportunities with ties to the University community, for a panel discussion and showcase event. The panel will feature one Black student business owner and two Black alumni business owners who will each pitch their company and answer questions about their entrepreneurial journeys.- Brian Bernard (Com ’24), co-founder and CMO of RoomMe, a platform that helps individuals and businesses solve their housing needs.
- Trey Winn (Com ’21), co-founder and CMO of Vibez Music, a mobile app that uses live playlists to create collaborative music experiences for social groups, businesses and events.
- Naza Shelley (Col ’08), co-founder of CarpeDM, Washington D.C.’s exclusive members-only dating community created for singles seeking meaningful relationships with professional Black women.
Afterwards, stay put for Uniting Excellence: A Black Networking Event. Presented in partnership with Alumni Career Engagement, an initiative of the UVA Alumni Association.
- Uniting Excellence: A Black Networking Event
2–3 p.m., Alumni Hall, Ballroom
Join fellow alumni and current students for an opportunity to build meaningful connections, share insights, and foster collaborations that elevate us all. Whether you are a seasoned professional, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone passionate about making a difference, this gathering is designed to unite and amplify the voices. Hosted in partnership with Alumni Career Engagement, an initiative of the UVA Alumni Association. - Advocating from Our Perspective: A Discussion with Black Student Leaders
3:30–4:30 p.m., Minor Hall, Room 125
Current Black student leaders at the University will share their experiences and discuss the current state of Black student life at UVA. Alumni will have the opportunity to engage in discussion with smaller groups of fellow alumni and current student leaders. Hosted in partnership with the Office of African-American Affairs. - School of Nursing Reception
3:30–4:30 p.m., McLeod Hall
Join alumni, faculty, staff, and students for a reception in McLeod Hall. - NPHC Meet Up: Celebrating 50 Years
4:00–5:30 p.m., Newcomb Hall, Ballroom
Please come join the D9 at UVA in celebrating and commemorating 50 years of scholarship, service, and community! The current NPHC students on Grounds wanted to create a space where we can take a walk down memory lane and reconnect with old friends in celebration of this golden anniversary. We look forward to seeing you there! Food and refreshments will be provided. Presented by the BAW Golden Anniversary subcommittee and supported by The Jefferson Trust. - McIntire School of Commerce Reception
4:30–5:30 p.m., Rouss-Robertson Hall
Join fellow McIntire Black alumni, the Black Commerce Student Network (BCSN), and faculty and staff for a networking reception at Rouss & Robertson Halls. Dean Nicole Thorne Jenkins will provide a brief school update and Skyla Bailey (Com ’24) and Nia Lewis (Com ’24), Co-Presidents of BCSN, will also share a few words. The reception will take place in the 3rd floor Art Gallery where artwork from Uzo Njoku (Col ’19) will be on display. We hope to see you there! This event is limited to McIntire alumni and their guests. - School of Education and Human Development Reception
4:30–5:30 p.m., Bavaro Hall, Atrium
Join fellow SEHD alumni, faculty, staff, and students for a reception in Bavaro Hall. - Black Voices Concert
6–8 p.m., Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church
Black Voices at the University of Virginia is a choir that sings music of the African American culture (i.e. anthems, spirituals, classical music, contemporary gospel, etc). The purpose of the choir is to show the members, the University community, and all those whom we encounter about Christian love through gospel music, worship/service, and true fellowship. Since its inception in 1972, Black Voices continues to inspire the University community through gospel music and fellowship. Join them at their spring concert, New Season! Participation is limited to the first 200 registrants and requires an additional fee of $10 per person. - Batten School Reception
7–9 p.m., Pavilion X Garden (Inclement weather: Great Hall inside Garrett Hall, 235 McCormick Rd., near the Amphitheatre)
Please join Dean Ian Solomon, Batten faculty/staff, special guests, and your fellow alumni for an informal reception in the Dean’s Pavilion X Garden. Reconnect with former classmates and Batten’s faculty/staff, and make new connections with alumni and guests from other Batten/UVA graduation years!
Saturday, April 20
- Rise + Flow: Breath, Movement and Meditation
9–10 a.m., Aquatics & Fitness Center, Multipurpose Rooms 2 and 3
Begin your day with Ashley Williams (Col ’10) as she leads you through a soulful flow that seamlessly blends intention, movement, breath, relaxation and music to uplift your energy, awaken your body and prepare your mind for the fellowship and festivities of the weekend. This class is beginner friendly, and all experiences are welcome to join in. Equipment will be provided. - Look Hoos Back: Black Alumni Panel
9–10:45 a.m., Newcomb Hall, Commonwealth Room (3rd Floor)
Join the Academic & Career Development Committee (ACD) of The Black Student Alliance (BSA) for our second edition of the Look Hoos Back: Black Alumni Panel. Undergraduates and graduate students will have the opportunity to hear advice from recent (2010s–2020s) and older (1970s–2000s) alumni on professional development, post-grad trajectory, defining decades of Black UVA, self-preservation, and more. Returning alumni will additionally have the opportunity to mingle and reconnect with other members of the UVA community. Current undergraduates and co-leadership of the BSA ACD Committee, Dream Mattison (Arch ’25) and Chandler Nandkumar (Col ’26), will serve as our panel hosts. Dining and a special live performance will preface the event introduction. - Take Back the BBS
12–12:30 p.m., Bus Stop in front of Monroe Hall
Reconnect and reminisce with friends at the Black Bus Stop (BB/BBS). Let’s keep the tradition of the BB/BBS alive and help pass its rich history on to the next generation by continuing this tradition of Take Back the BB/BBS. - Reflections from 50 Years of NHPCs at UVA
12–3 p.m., Outside of Garett Hall (Inclement weather: Memorial Gymnasium)
Learn more about the history of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) at the University. Black Greek-lettered Organization members will be available at the top of the Amphitheater to share stories, memorabilia, and history of each organization. - OAAA Peer Advisor 40th Reunion Anniversary Photo
2:30–3 p.m., Dawson’s Row #4 (Luther Porter Jackson House)
The Peer Advisor Program was established by the University of Virginia’s Office of African-American Affairs in 1984, which means it’s time to celebrate 40 years with fellow Peer Advisor Program alumni! Stop by Dawson’s Row for a commemorative group alumni photo at 2:45 p.m. before the Talent Expo gets underway. - Talent Expo
3–4:30 p.m., McIntire Amphitheater
Featuring student groups from around Grounds, the Talent Expo will showcase some of the University’s top artistic performers. - Live HoosWhere Podcast
4–5 p.m., Newcomb Theater
Join Chase Minnifield (Col ’10) and Max Milien (Col ’10) for a live podcast to hear from former UVA quarterback, Bryce Perkins (Col ’19), and Naza Shelley (Col ’08) founder of CarpeDM an online dating platform. - Woodson Institute and College of Arts & Sciences Reception
4–5:30 p.m., Minor Hall, Lobby
Join faculty from The College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences and the Carter G. Woodson Institute for a reception in Minor Hall, followed by a film screening of Claudrena Harold’s and Kevin Everson’s series of short films Black Fire. - National Society of Black Engineers and Center for Diversity in Engineering Reception
4:30–6:30 p.m., Thornton Hall, Darden Courtyard
Join the National Society of Black Engineers and Center for Diversity in Engineering in Thornton Hall Darden Courtyard to hear updates from the National Society of Black Engineers, meet the leadership of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Engagement, and connect with new and old friends over heavy hors d’oeuvres, music, a photo booth, and tours of the CDE!
Sunday, April 21
- Non-Denominational Faith-Based Service
9–10 a.m., The Chapel
Join your fellow alumni before brunch to give thanks for the fellowship of those present at BAW and plant seeds of hope for the future. Kevin Suber (Engr ’86) along with Destiny Brown (Col ’21), Janice Orie (Educ ’84), Jessica Fowler (Col ’86), Karen Hunley (Col ’86), and Sarah Yancey (Engr ’12) will lead a non-denominational worship service welcoming all.