WAA: Black Affinity Group

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WAA: Black Affinity Group

Official Account of the Wisconsin Alumni Association - Black Affinity group.

Our goal is to activate the network of Black alumni of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, building community and connections through engagement, advocacy, and Badger spirit!

10/27/2024

👋🏽 Day 7 of Homecoming week: Carrying the Badger spirit onward and upward! We’re filled with gratitude for the energy, connection, and pride that made these past few days so great! On this last day, we honor remarkable alumni who have taken great strides to lead change in our communities through politics and policy. Their impact is a reminder that we all have a part to play in shaping our future. So Badgers, let’s show up on Nov. 5 to make our voices heard. VOTE!

Join us in recognizing these alums who’ve made a great impact and history with their election to public office:

🥇Frances Huntley-Cooper is the first African American mayor in Wisconsin’s history and a proud graduate of the La Follette School of Public Affairs. She continues to be a strong force and connector for the greater Madison community.

👩🏾‍⚖️ The honorable Nia Trammell is a graduate of UW Law School, and the first Black woman to serve as a judge in Dane County. She was sworn in as only the sixth Black woman to serve as a judge in Wisconsin history. She comes from a family of Badgers & civil servants. Born in Nigeria, she came to Madison in 1976 when her family relocated so her father could attend the University of Wisconsin. Her mother also studied education at UW–Madison.

👩🏾‍🏫 Maia Pearson, a UW-Madison alum and longtime south Madison community advocate, was elected to the Madison Board of Education and is the currently its Vice President. She is a champion of equitable education for all students, with a dedication to shaping brighter futures across the community.

🙌🏾 Commissioner Signé Mbainai, is UW Law School alum and the first Black woman to be elected Dane County Circuit Court Commissioner.

This Nov. 5, exercise your right to make a difference in our communities. Important campaigns up and down the ballot affect us all, and your voice is crucial 🗳️

10/26/2024

Day 6 of Homecoming Week: Game Day! 🏈❤️ Today, we celebrate the lasting legacy of incredible Badgers, who’ve made an impact on and off the field.

🎓Leo V. Butts: In 1918, Leo Butts was the first known Black student to play on the varsity football team, but notably was the first Black student to study and graduate from the UW School of Pharmacy. Arguably his most important accomplishment while at UW–Madison was his senior thesis, “The Negro in Pharmacy.” He pieced his thesis together despite having limited documents, records and literature with which to work, obtaining research sources elsewhere by reaching out to prominent Black pharmacists and pharmaceutical organizations of the time.

🌟 Russell Wilson: From leading the Badgers to a Big Ten Championship to his community work through the Why Not You Foundation, Russell inspires countless lives with his dedication and generosity.

📚 Anthony Davis, Ed.D.: A powerhouse on the field and now an educational leader, Anthony is impacting the next generation of college students as Associate Vice President for Student Engagement and Dean of Students at Georgia State University, guiding young adults toward success and personal growth.

🔒 Marcus Cromartie: Known for his defensive prowess as a Badger, Marcus now uses his experience as an NFL sports agent to advise and mentor future athletes, helping them navigate their careers and make informed decisions.

🏆 Ron Dayne: With a Heisman Trophy and record-breaking career, Ron remains a hero in Madison, and his work with local charities showcases his commitment to uplifting others.

💥 Melvin Gordon III: From his record-breaking performances at Wisconsin to his commitment to community, Melvin has made a difference both on the field and through his Beyond the Flash Foundation, which supports underprivileged youth and families.

💚 Gary Ellerson: Known for his strength on the field with both UW and the Green Bay Packers, Gary is a media personality who continues to support Wisconsin communities and advocate for health and wellness initiatives through local charities.

These legends embody what it means to be a Badger.

10/24/2024

🎉 It’s Day 4 of UW Madison Homecoming Week, and tonight marks our 3rd Annual Black Badgers Homecoming Reception! 🖤 We’re proud to partner with all alumni owned businesses, each with an inspiring story. Here’s a look at the incredible vendors who will be showcasing their talents:

🍷 Tim Cole of The Milwaukee Wine Academy
Tim is a tech executive, president of the National Society of Black Engineers — Milwaukee Area Professionals, and is now elevating the wine industry with The Milwaukee Wine Academy, which offers wine education courses, tastings, and consulting. His mission is to make wine knowledge accessible to all while highlighting diverse winemakers.

🍸 Camille Coley of Siwani Spirits
Camille Coley brings innovation and luxury to the spirits industry with Siwani Spirits, a premium Black-owned brand that’s won awards for its quality and taste. Camille’s entrepreneurial spirit shines as she continues to disrupt the industry and inspire a new generation of Black distillers.

🎶 Martinez M. White of Intuition Productions
Author, DJ and Executive Producer, Martinez is a community leader and entertainment powerhouse with Intuition Productions. Beyond creating unforgettable experiences through music, Martinez is passionate about youth mentorship and business development in the arts. He is also the Director of Development with the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association for the School of Education.

🧀 Kingsley Gobourne of Artemis Provisions and Cheese
Kingsley is an advocate for sustainable farming who founded Artemis Provisions and Cheese to provide top-quality, locally-sourced meats and artisanal cheeses. Kingsley’s products reflect his commitment to ethical farming practices and community-driven food production.

🍫 Syovata Edari of CocoaVaa Chocolatier
A James Beard Award semi-finalist chocolatier and attorney, Syovata Edari blends creativity with craft at CocoaVaa Chocolatier. Her boutique specializes in small-batch, handmade chocolates that have received international acclaim for their rich flavors and artistic presentation.

Let’s support these trailblazers, network, and celebrate Black excellence. See you tonight! ✨

10/23/2024

🌟 Day 3 of UW-Madison Homecoming Week: Shining a Light on Alumni Making a Difference 🌟

This year homecoming falls in October, which is also breast cancer awareness month. UW-Madison is a globally recognized research institution and we’re proud to highlight two incredible alums who are leaders in their field, championing the fight against breast cancer. Today, we recognize Dr. Eva M. Vivian, PharmD, MS, PhD, and Erin Bailey, PhD, MS, for their groundbreaking work in breast cancer research and advocacy.

🔬 Dr. Eva M. Vivian is a professor in the UW School of Pharmacy, whose work includes research on diabetes prevention, especially for the African American community. She is also a breast cancer survivor. She has dedicated her career to improving healthcare outcomes as a strong proponent of preventive medicine, both professionally and for her own health. In 2023, the UW Carbone Cancer Center was one of three research institutions in the U.S. selected to host a phase II clinical trial for a novel breast cancer vaccine, and Dr. Vivian made history as the first person in the nation to receive the groundbreaking shot in the trial. Her courage and commitment to advancing healthcare is paving the way for a future where breast cancer could be preventable.

💡Erin Bailey, PhD, MS is the Associate Director for Community-Engaged Research in the UW-Madison College of Letters & Science, where she builds partnerships that connect academic research with real-world needs ensuring that the research conducted at UW-Madison serves the broader community. For the past decade, she has also worked with the Witness Project of Madison, a breast cancer education and support program aimed at reducing mortality rates among African American women. She plays a key role in training survivors and health advisors raise awareness and promote early detection. Her work, blending health education with community empowerment embodies her passion for social justice and her commitment to improving health outcomes for those too often overlooked.

Let’s celebrate alums embodying the Wisconsin Idea, proving that Badgers are at the forefront of life-changing breakthroughs!

10/22/2024

It’s Day 2 of Homecoming week! 🙌🏾 We’re continuing to reflect on the rich legacy of Black excellence at UW-Madison with a look back on the history of the WAA: Black Affinity Group.

Originally formed as the African American Alumni Association, referred to as QUAD A, the Black alumni community has played a vital role in empowering future leaders at UW-Madison for decades. In 1984, under the leadership of founding President Kwame S. Salter, the association hosted its first campus-wide reunion banquet, featuring the inspiring Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery of the SCLC. The event highlighted unity and achievement with jazz performances by Ron Myers, led by Professor Jimmy Cheatham.

Fast forward to 1990, Homecoming Weekend activities embraced the theme “JAMAA NIA,” focusing on building our communities. UW Madison played a major role in preparing alumni for their professional lives, so alumni from across the nation came together to celebrate, mentor, and uplift the next wave of Black students. That same year, the first Afro-centric ‘Bucky’ logo was proudly introduced by Billy Harris and Russell Brown (pictured).

The African American Alumni Association developed a strong Board of Directors in the 1990’s lead by Charles McDowell and formed a partnership with the Wisconsin Alumni Association, offering yearly scholarships to Black undergraduate students.

Yearly QUAD A Homecoming reunions began to die down towards the end of the 1990’s, but a resurgence in 2007 brought together an energized group of alumni who hosted a Homecoming Reunion Gala. After years of continued inactivity, the group was formally re-established as part of the Wisconsin Alumni Association in 2021, and rebranded as its known today as the WAA: Black Affinity Group.

As we celebrate Homecoming, we honor the past while continuing to build a stronger future for our community. Here’s to the legacy, pride, and unity of our Black alumni! 💪🏾🎓

(Thank you to Mrs. Candace McDowell for this reflection!)

10/21/2024

Happy Homecoming Week, Badgers! 🎉 The Black Affinity Group is not only celebrating the spirit of Badger pride, but also honoring our history — saluting UW Madison’s first Black Homecoming Queen, Carolyn Williams in 1969.

Throughout the 1960s, racial tension on campus escalated, culminating in the 1969 Black Student Strike. During homecoming of that year, the Beta Omicron chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. hosted their own vote alongside the Homecoming committee to ensure that the final election count was not tainted. And the result was Ms. Williams being rightfully crowned Queen 👑

The united effort which lead to this trailblazing win is a reminder for us all to claim our space at UW-Madison, and know that we belong - always have and always will. Here’s to honoring those who paved the way and to a future full of empowered leaders! ❤️🤍

10/12/2024

Consider sharing your time and talent with us as we grow the board!

We are currently seeking alumni interested in engaging with alums nationwide. For questions about commitment or to attend a meeting, please send us a DM or email us at [email protected]

08/13/2024

There is a primary election in Wisconsin TODAY, Tuesday August 13th! Your voice matters - go to myvote.wi.gov to find your polling place

07/17/2024

Welcome new followers to the official UW-Madison Black Affinity Group Page!

In June we announced our re-brand as the Black Affinity Group (formerly the African American Affinity Group; QuadA). This group is run by UW Madison alumni, and is dedicated to fostering a supportive and empowering community for Black alumni, faculty, staff, and students at UW-Madison. We aim to provide a space for networking, sharing resources, and celebrating our experiences and achievements.

Stay connected with us for upcoming events, discussions, and opportunities to engage. Please like and share this page with other alums so we can grow our reach!

And we’re looking for a few good Badgers to join the board! If interested, please email [email protected]. No need to be in Madison - you can participate from anywhere!

Welcome back to the Black Badgers family - On Wisconsin! 🙌🏾

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Madison, WI

Website

https://uwalumni.com/groups/black-affinity-group/

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