http://bac.alumni.columbia.edu/

Black Alumni Council of Columbia University (BAC), New York, NY (2026)

03/31/2026

Community Spotlight ✨

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we wanted to highlight a few members of our community making big moves!

Bryce-Loren Walker (‘26 Columbia School of Nursing) - after spending nearly eight years as a producer on Sesame Street, she’s now a 4x Emmy Award winner. This month she received two Children’s & Family Emmys for Sesame Street: Outstanding Preschool, Children’s or Family Viewing Series, and Outstanding Short Form Live Action Program for Elmo and Andrew Garfield Explain Grief.

Gabrielle Lewis, BAC Co-President (‘19CC) - Forbes 2026 30 Under 30: Finance. A Vice President on Morgan Stanley’s Capital Introductions team, Gabby plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the hedge fund ecosystem. This year she’s partnered with over 100 hedge funds, representing hundreds of billions in assets under management. She also leads the firm’s healthcare vertical, oversees key relationships with Limited Partners across the Mid-Atlantic and pension verticals, and was Co-Chair of MS’ Living in Color Committee, amplifying diverse voices within the firm.

Chelsea Miller (‘18CC) - Forbes 2026 30 Under 30: Social Media. Chelsea is the Founder and CEO of CPM Global, a consulting and media company committed to amplifying powerful stories, movements, and voices - especially within underrepresented communities. Through strategic communications, partnership building, campaign development, and business strategy, CPM Global drives meaningful, purpose-led impact for organizations and brands across the country. The company has surpassed $500K in revenue and is on track to reach $1M by year’s end. She is also a 2025 Tory Burch Foundation Fellow and a recipient of the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award.

Clarke Peoples (‘23CC) - Forbes 2026 30 Under 30: Social Media. An Atlanta native, Clarke has built a large TikTok following by sharing her experiences as an Ivy League student and young professional in New York City. She creates content on social justice, higher education, and self-confidence, and is launching a women’s empowerment and relationships podcast, fostering a highly engaged online community.

🖤

03/31/2026

An Evening to Remember ~ Heritage NYC 2026 🖤

A night rooted in legacy, excellence, and community. What an unforgettable evening — filled with joy, laughter, and possibility.

To everyone who showed up, whether in the room or in spirit, thank you. Spaces like this are a powerful reminder of the strength and beauty of our community.

To our honorees: thank you for the work you do, the paths you’ve paved, and the example you continue to set. Your impact and leadership inspire us all and remind us what’s possible. We could not be more proud and are honored to have a front row seat to all that’s ahead!

✊🏾✨

10/11/2025

🎉 It’s that time of year again —

Homecoming season is HERE!
The Columbia Black Alumni Council is kicking things off with a special ticket raffle you don’t want to miss 👀

That’s right — you could win 2 FREE all-access BAC Homecoming tickets!

✨ How to enter (takes less than a minute):
1️⃣ Tag 2 BAC alumni or current students in the comments
2️⃣ Share this post and your own grad photos or favorite campus moments and tag in your story!

🎓 To celebrate, we’re throwing it back to where it all began — our graduation days!
Here are a few of the BAC Board’s grad pics showing off that Columbia pride 💫Now it’s your turn — Let’s see that Lion spirit roar 🦁💙

Don’t wait — the countdown to Homecoming starts NOW 🕒
💙🦁

09/27/2025

Homecoming 2025 is here and We Are So BAC! ✨

From brunch in Harlem 🍳 to game day at the stadium 🏈 to the Kickback in Midtown🌃 — it’s a whole day full of vibes, spirit, and community…not to mention three hours of bottomless at brunch and special signature cocktails at the kickback 👀🥂

Come through & celebrate with us! Early bird tickets on sale through October 8th — link in bio🚨

07/01/2025

📣 Congratulations to our newly elected 2025-2027 Executive Board!!

We are so excited to see all they’ll do to bring their vision for supporting our community to life!

Please keep an eye out for opportunities to get involved. But in the meantime, join us in giving them a much deserved round of applause! 👏🏾🎊

05/13/2025

Get involved! Black Alumni Council elections are once again upon us.

Please see below for information on election officer information sessions.

Attendance at an information session is required to run for a position. We will host information sessions on Wednesday, May 14th at 6:30pm ET and Wednesday, May 21st at 6:30pm ET for all interested in learning more about becoming more involved with the BAC.

The election will take place before June 30. Please reach out with any questions or for the link to sign up.

02/26/2025

📣BAC Heritage 2025: Spotlighting our JAM Honorees📣We are excited to share our final spotlight of honorees, the organizers and leaders of the Barnard/Columbia Black and Latino JAM.

This group of honorees is exemplary, for more than one reason. Their enduring friendship, camaraderie, and commitment to our community since their days on campus is remarkable. They have pursued professional, academic, artistic and advocacy-centered endeavors. All the while, they have remained true to the North Star of a grounded and connected community.

These featured honorees are all keen to note that the JAM is, first and foremost, a group effort. In this 2025 Heritage Ceremony, we will recognize a sliver of the larger critical contingent. Join us in recognizing the following honorees:

- Rachelle Browne, Esq. ’74BC | Associate General Counsel, The Smithsonian Institution (Ret.)
- Darryl T. Downing ‘74CC | Chairman, I-AM-HARLEM LLC
- Dr. Helene Gayle, M.D. ’76BC | 11th President, Spelman College; Former President, Chicago Community Trust
- Willa Denise Jones ‘76BC | Relationship Manager, Vanguard Institutional (Ret.)
- Kenneth Marks, Esq. ’74CC ’77LAW | General Counsel, Exostar (Ret.)
- Patrice Mitchell ’76BC | Public Finance Expert; COO, P.G. Corbin and Company (Ret.)
- Steven Sims ’73CC ’76SW | Vice President, National Minority Supplier Development Council (Ret.)
- Wayne T. Turner, Esq. ’76CC | EEO Compliance Officer, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (Ret.)

Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday!

02/13/2025

📣Heritage Honoree Spotlight: Dr. Dennis Mitchell, DDS ‘96PH📣Dennis A. Mitchell, D.D.S., M.P.H, serves as interim dean of the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. He has held many leadership roles at Columbia. Most recently he was senior advisor for Inclusion and Belonging and senior vice provost for Faculty Advancement at Columbia University. He is a professor of Dental Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center.

As senior vice provost, he implemented the program elements of the University’s ongoing financial commitment (currently totaling $185 million) to enhance the diversity of the faculty, and works with the leaders of each of Columbia’s schools to evaluate and strengthen their diversity initiatives.

Dr. Mitchell joined the Columbia faculty in 1991 after completing his general dentistry residency training at Harlem Hospital, a Columbia University affiliate. Dr. Mitchell also previously served as the Director of the Harlem component of the Community DentCare Network for Columbia, and as Director of Research and Community Dentistry at Harlem Hospital. He oversaw the development, implementation and evaluation of Columbia’s offsite dental service programs in Harlem, which is now responsible for over 20,000 patient visits annually.

02/06/2025

📣Spotlighting our Next Rising Star Honoree📣Nzingha Prescod is a Brooklyn native and one of the most decorated athletes in USA fencing history. A two-time Olympian, World Champion, and four-time Senior World Medalist, she made history in 2015 as the first Black woman to win an individual medal at the Senior World Championships, earning bronze. In July 2018, she and her team secured Team USA’s first-ever World Championship gold medal for USA Foil. Additionally, she became the first American woman to win a foil Grand Prix and has ranked as high as fifth in the world. In recognition of her achievements, she was inducted into the USA Fencing Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024.

Nzingha graduated from New York City’s prestigious Stuyvesant High School. In 2015, she graduated from Columbia College, Columbia University where she studied Political Science with a concentration in Race and Ethnicity Studies. As the Founder and Executive Director of The Prescod Institute for Sport, Teamwork, and Education (PISTE), she is committed to expanding access to high-quality and inclusive sports education. She continues to influence the sports world as a board member of USA Fencing and as a member of the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s Council on Social and Racial Justice.

02/01/2025

🎉Celebrating a Rising Star Honoree🎉Emily Hawkins is a dynamic leader and community builder who has dedicated her career to driving positive change in both the corporate and non-profit sectors. As the Founder & CEO of The Black Tech Collective, she has created a vibrant community that empowers underrepresented tech professionals to connect, collaborate, and achieve their full potential.

With nearly two decades of experience in strategic communications, Emily has honed her skills in building and protecting brands, managing complex issues, and driving positive media coverage. She has held leadership roles at renowned organizations like Amazon, Google, Macy’s, and Alvin Ailey. Emily is a lifelong arts and culture enthusiast. She graduated from Columbia College, Columbia University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and African American Studies.

Come celebrate her with us later this month! Tickets in our bio.

01/29/2025

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/columbia-black-alumni-council-heritage-awards-ceremony-tickets-1187842862979?

Join us on February 27 to honor the best of our Black Columbia community. Over the next few days, we will be sharing posts highlighting each honoree. We look forward to seeing you during our Black History Month celebration. The honorees are as follows:
🌟 Rising Star Award Recipients
* Emily Hawkins ’06CC- Founder & CEO, The Black Tech Collective
* Nzingha Prescod ’15CC- Two-Time Olympic Fencer and Founder, Prescod Institute for Sport, Teamwork, and Education (PISTE)
🏆 BAC Heritage Award Recipients
* Alicia Graf Mack ’03GS- Dean and Director, Juilliard Dance; Incoming Artistic Director, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
* Dr. Dennis Mitchell ’96PH- Professor of Dental Medicine, Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Diversity and Senior Advisor to the President on Inclusion and Belonging, Columbia University
This year, we are also pleased to present a unique set of Heritage Awards honoring the Columbia-Barnard Black and Latino JAM organizers. These alumni have been instrumental in ensuring the JAM’s success and represent a legacy of exceptional leadership:
* Rachelle Browne, Esq. ’74BC- Associate General Counsel, The Smithsonian Institution (Ret.)
* Daryl T. Downing ‘73CC- Chairman, I-AM-HARLEM
* Dr. Helene Gayle, M.D. ’76BC- 11th President, Spelman College; Former President, Chicago Community Trust
* Willa Denise Jones ‘76BC- Relationship Manager, Vanguard Institutional (Ret.)
* Kenneth Marks, Esq. ’74CC ’77LAW- General Counsel, Exostar (Ret.)
* Patrice Mitchell ’76BC- Public Finance Expert; COO, P.G. Corbin and Company (Ret.)
* Steven Sims ’73CC ’76SW- Vice President, National Minority Supplier Development Council (Ret.)
* Wayne T. Turner, Esq. ’76CC- EEO Compliance Officer, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (Ret.)

Black Alumni Council of Columbia University (BAC)

03/31/2026

03/31/2026

10/11/2025

09/27/2025

07/01/2025

05/13/2025

02/26/2025

02/13/2025

02/06/2025

02/01/2025

01/29/2025

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