The Black Alumni Society Celebrates 45 Years

Q: For someone who is not familiar with the Black Alumni Society, what would you like them to know about the affinity group?

A: The Black Alumni Society strives to foster opportunities for Black alumni, students, faculty, staff and university friends, inclusive of all identities across the diasporas, to become actively involved in enriching NC State now and in the future. The Black Alumni Society serves as a conduit for increasing alumni interaction with their alma mater through communication, outreach, education and events. The Black Alumni Society currently has a population of 21,000+ alumni and friends with varying ages spanning four to five generations.

Q: Highlight two or three of your favorite events for us.

A: BASFest is the first. The Black Alumni Society’s revitalization kicked off in the early 2000s with an official homecoming tailgate to encourage alumni to reconnect with peers and NC State, while also increasing BAS endowments. Since then the BAS Homecoming tailgate, now commonly referred to as BASFest, has become a signature event during Red and White Week and continues to grow, bringing back hundreds of alumni, students, families and friends to reunite and cheer on the Pack.

Giving Back is the second. Giving Back is one of the Black Alumni Society’s main focuses. BAS strives to empower and support students and communities through participation in service events like volunteering at the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC, providing financial assistance to undergraduate and graduate students through BAS scholarships, fundraising for the university, creating programming in BAS regional network areas (Atlanta, Charlotte, DC/Maryland/Virginia, New York/New Jersey and Raleigh) and supporting NC State alumni-owned businesses.

Q: The 45th anniversary of BAS is this year, what do you have planned for Red and White Week? Are there any other key events planned during the year?

A: The Black Alumni Society’s first event for Red and White Week is Homecoming Kickoff Happy Hour on Wednesday, October 30. The event is hosted by the DC/Maryland/Virginia Regional Network at Mezcalero in Union Market (Washington, D.C.). On Thursday, the BAS 45th Anniversary Legacy Gala will honor outstanding graduates whose achievements exemplify excellence and leadership. We will continue Red and White Week with a Welcome Reception on Friday, BASFest Tailgate and Football Game on Saturday, and a brunch on Sunday. Throughout Red and White Week, the Black Alumni Society will encourage supporters to donate $45 (or more) in honor of BAS’s 45th anniversary. We will also encourage supporters to donate to Celebrating Transformation in recognition of Chancellor Woodson.

The Black Alumni Society will close out the year with a Holiday Social on December 14. In January, all of BAS’s regional networks will participate in service events to honor Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Q: Share with us the history and some of the highlights of the work of the Black Alumni Society through the years.

A: The Black Alumni Group was officially organized in 1979 and later became an affiliate of the NC State Alumni Association. The Black Alumni Group was an independently functioning organization with its own board of directors and managed its own fundraising for scholarships, programs and yearly budgets. 

In July 1985, the Black Alumni Group established and raised funds for a Black Alumni Scholarship, currently known as the Lawrence Clark Undergraduate Scholarship, which has annually awarded two or three $1,000 scholarships to undergraduate students since 1986. In July 1990, the Black Alumni Group initiated two other fundraising campaigns, establishing the African American Cultural Center Endowment and the Gus Witherspoon Graduate Scholarship, which awards a $1,000 scholarship each year to a graduate student. In 2021, the Thomas Conway Jr. Scholarship Endowment was established as an undergraduate scholarship for NC State students with demonstrated experience in or commitment to working with the Black and African American community.

In 1996, the Alumni Association established the name “societies” for its affiliate groups. The Black Alumni Group changed its name to the Black Alumni Society. Today, the executive board of the Black Alumni Society, comprised of alumni from various locales, oversees Black Alumni Society chapters in Atlanta, Charlotte, DC/MD/VA, NY/NJ and Raleigh.

In addition to establishing endowments to assist with supporting NC State students financially, the Black Alumni Society recognizes alumni for achievements, contributions and positive impacts made within the community.

Q: For someone who might want to get involved with the Black Alumni Society, how can they do that?

A: We invite you to connect with the Black Alumni Society via the following methods:

• Facebook @NCStateBlackAlumniSociety
• Instagram @ncsublackalumni

Q: How can someone get connected in a volunteer capacity?

A: Anyone interested in connecting with or volunteering with BAS can do so by submitting their personal information.

Q: What else would you like people to know about the Black Alumni Society?

A: The Black Alumni Society works to:

Strengthen Alumni Engagement

• Foster meaningful connections between Black alumni and the university.
• Increase alumni participation through targeted outreach and personalized invitations.
• Create opportunities for alumni to network and reconnect with each other.

Celebrate Black Excellence

• Highlight the achievements and contributions of Black alumni.
• Organize events that honor distinguished alumni and showcase their successes.
• Promote the visibility and recognition of Black alumni within the university community.

Build Community

• Create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all alumni and attendees.
• Encourage a sense of belonging and pride among Black alumni and students.
• Foster intergenerational connections between alumni, students and the university community.

Plan and Execute Memorable Events

• Develop a diverse array of events catering to Black alumni’s interests and preferences.
• Ensure events are well-organized, engaging and reflective of our values and traditions.
• Gather feedback from participants to continually improve future events.