2021 Alumni Recognition and Scholarship Celebration
Building and Sustaining Excellence
Celebrating 30 years of the Black/Hispanic Alumni Association at Hofstra University
Saturday, April 24, 2021, at 7 p.m. EDT Virtual Event
B MESSAGE FROM THE BHAA PRESIDENT B Welcome to the 2021 Black/Hispanic Alumni Association Recognition and Scholarship Celebration. On behalf of the Executive Board, I thank you for joining us for this historic event! This time last year, we were supposed to be sitting down at the Hofstra University Club, with great food and live music, chatting and networking, reuniting with old friends, and making new ones. Unfortunately, COVID had other plans. Although we were able to host a general town hall meeting around the same time, we were not able to acknowledge our scholarship recipients and honorees in the way we would have liked. Equally disquieting was the fact that we couldn’t appropriately celebrate the 30th anniversary of BHAA, but are thankful to have been able to acknowledge the many founding members who were present during the town hall. In the same way many of us choose to celebrate our milestone birthdays all year long, we have decided to extend the celebration for another year, even as we have reached 31! If nothing else, the pandemic has taught us to be nimble and to embrace alternate ways of holding meetings, providing educational instruction, and even hosting family gatherings. In keeping with that theme, we are pleased to host this year’s event virtually. This year’s theme is Building and Sustaining Excellence: Celebrating 30 Years of the Black/Hispanic Alumni Association at Hofstra University. Yes, the pandemic has shown us that despite the circumstances, our resilience as Black and Hispanic people allows us to continue to strive for and achieve excellence, and we continue to celebrate it! We congratulate our honorees and scholarship recipients and celebrate their personal excellence. Although we have made it to another celebration, we do acknowledge the challenges and hardships many in our Hofstra community faced this year. On behalf of the Executive Board, we extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to students, alumni, and their family and friends affected by COVID. We continue to recognize those who have worked hard, providing essential services to and caring for those who were ill or in need – often doing so with limited resources and energy. Thank you! Thank you for your continued support of BHAA. Continue to be blessed, continue to be a blessing, and continue to build and sustain excellence. Je maintiendray (“I stand steadfast”), Calandra Y. Branch, BA, ’91 President, Hofstra BHAA
B PROGRAM B Welcome
alandra Y. Branch, BA, ’91 C President, Hofstra BHAA
Invocation
Stephanie Cooper-Smiley, BA, ’82; MSEd, ’89 Immediate Past President, Hofstra BHAA
Video Presentation
Negro National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Master of Ceremonies
Sergio Argueta, BA, ’03 Past BHAA Honoree
Remarks
Alan J. Kelly Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs Hofstra University
Greetings
Cornell Craig, MBA Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Hofstra University
Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Calandra Y. Branch, BA, ’91
Keynote Speaker
The Rev. Dr. Darren M. Morton, BBA, ’89; EdD; CPRP Not-for-Profit and Public Service Executive Leader, Educator, and Community Advocate
Performance
IMANI Dance Ensemble
Presentation of Student Leadership Awards
Sara Hendricks, BA, ’16 Treasurer, Hofstra BHAA
Presentation of Scholarship Awards
Veronica Davis, BA, ’03 Past President, Hofstra BHAA
Jacqueline Campbell, BBA, ’07 Secretary, Hofstra BHAA
Presentation of Alumni Recognition Awards
Wilbert Davis, BA, ’20 Historian, Hofstra BHAA
Closing Remarks
Calandra Y. Branch, BA, ’91
B KEYNOTE SPEAKER B
The Rev. Dr. Darren M. Morton, BBA, ’89; EdD; CPRP Not-for-Profit and Public Service Executive Leader, Educator, and Community Advocate The Rev. Dr. Darren M. Morton has dedicated his personal and professional life to the service of others. Leveraging the interplay between faith and public service, he personifies the democratic ideals of equality and justice, giving back to the city in which he was born and raised to apply his expertise in executive leadership and community advocacy. Educated in the Mount Vernon City Public School System, Dr. Morton pursued higher education at Hofstra University and St. John’s University, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Education, respectively. Dr. Morton earned a Doctorate in Education from St. John Fisher College, specializing in executive leadership, with his dissertation, “From Integration to Resegregation: Examining the Role of Black Clergy as 21st Century Leaders in Public Education Reform,” and he completed the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Management Development Program. Dr. Morton’s educational achievements have provided him with the theory and credentialing necessary to do what he has always been called to do: enhance the quality of life of individuals living in urban communities. His acumen in executive leadership in areas of social action, higher education, public service, and nonprofit administration has been demonstrated in classrooms, boardrooms, government buildings, and community centers. In 2011, after advancing in progressively responsible roles in higher education, and being named senior pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church of Mount Vernon, New York, Dr. Morton created D. Morton Enterprises, LLC, a consultant firm focused on developing communitybased educational and nonprofit organizations, with an emphasis in social justice. Having satisfactorily achieved these goals, Dr. Morton entered public service in 2012, where he has served four mayoral administrations with great venerability as commissioner of recreation, commissioner of planning and community development, and currently as chief of staff. He also serves as treasurer of both the Mount Vernon Urban Renewal Agency and Mt. Vernon Industrial Development Agency. To further support the City of Mount Vernon, Dr. Morton created and serves as president of two 501(c)3 organizations, Friends of Mount Vernon Arts, Recreation, and Youth Programs and the Memorial Field Foundation. Additionally, he was elected to the inaugural Mount Vernon Public Library Board of Trustees in 2014, honorably serving as finance chair (2014-2017) and personnel chair (2017-2018). Dr. Morton has also been an active member of the Mount Vernon Democratic City Committee since 2013.
Prior to joining the City of Mount Vernon, Dr. Morton served as a senior executive, leading a division of over 100 full- and part-time staff members, superintending multimillion-dollar operational budgets, developing capital improvement plans, and transforming organizational efficacy in several institutions of higher education via assessment and realigning of administrative, structural, human, and fiscal capital. His curriculum vitae is an impressive account of professional growth, having held several administrative and teaching positions, including assistant director of admissions at Hofstra University and associate dean of student development, assistant and associate vice president for student affairs, and adjunct professor at St. John’s University in Queens, New York. In addition to his fortes in academic administration and instruction, Dr. Morton put his years of experience and passion for social justice and community service to work as director of the Vincentian Institute for Social Action (VISA) at St. John’s University, where he led faculty and students in a variety of community-based research projects and public-private partnerships effectuating education through practical experience. At VISA, students administered organizational assessments, comparative analyses, mission/program creation, resource realignment, budget development, fiscal analyses, and capital planning to urban programs and organizations. Dr. Morton also served as adjunct assistant professor of public administration in the graduate program at the College of New Rochelle, where he taught not-for-profit/public administration, human resource development, fiscal and resource management, and assessment, and supervised field internship experiences. A true renaissance man, Dr. Morton’s unique and eclectic professional knowledge is complemented by his extensive vocational, civic, and social commitments and memberships that benefit underprivileged and underserved communities and families. He sits on the board of directors for several not-for-profit organizations: president and personnel chair, Youth Shelter of Westchester; president, Wesley Parrott Youth Programs; member, Wartburg Foundation; president, Prince Hall Service Fund; and board member, Prince Hall Housing Fund. As a fraternity member, he is a 33rd degree Prince Hall mason and senior grand warden of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York, and previously served as grand treasurer, executive director of Prince Hall Colonial Park Daycare, and president of the Third Masonic District. He also served as vice president of the 24th Eastern Region of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and member of the national board of directors. Dr. Morton has received over 110 awards and commendations for his selfless service to humanity. Still, he considers his greatest achievement being the proud father of three adult children: Coleman, Chakka, and Daniel. He has 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild – his most treasured blessings from the Lord.
B BHAA ALUMNI RECOGNITION AWARD RECIPIENT B
Shannon Nia Alomar, BA, ’15 Elementary Science Teacher, Neighborhood Charter Schools - Bronx Shannon Nia Alomar is a Bronx, New York, native with a love of writing, media, and advocacy. She is an elementary science teacher at Neighborhood Charter Schools and, in addition to her full-time position, she portrays Queen Nefertiti in the first African royalty character company, Your Queens, Incorporated. In 2019, she served as Miss Black New York USA and represented the amazing state of New York in the Miss Black USA Pageant. Serving the community is one of Shannon’s great loves and whether she is serving with her family or her sorority sisters or planning for her organization, which will launch in 2021, being communityconscious is embedded in Shannon’s being. Shannon graduated from Hofstra University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and is a proud product of the University's Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) known as New Opportunities At Hofstra (NOAH). While at Hofstra, she was engaged in several student organizations, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Hofstra Chapter; Collegiate Women of Color (CWC); WRHU 88.7-FM, Radio Hofstra University; and Hofstra Today. Also, as a first-year student, she was named New Student of the Year (2012), and in February 2018, she was named Alumna of the Month. In May 2017, Shannon became a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, an organization that is very near and dear to her heart. As a teenager, Shannon was an Archonette (a youth auxiliary member under Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated) and is carrying on the Zeta family legacy, which started with her aunt. Through her professional and personal endeavors, Shannon aims to be an example to women of color everywhere and demonstrate that through hard work, being authentic/realistic, and the power of faith, anything is possible!
B BHAA ALUMNI RECOGNITION AWARD RECIPIENT B
Michael Coates, BBA, ’07 Tax Manager, Mitchell Titus, LLP Michael Coates is a tax manager in the New York office of Mitchell Titus, LLP. Since joining Mitchell Titus, Michael has worked with Fortune 500 clients in the consumer product, financial services, manufacturing and distribution, and power and utilities industries. He is an enrolled agent with the Internal Revenue Service and holds a Master of Science in Accounting from Southern Polytechnic State University. He graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Business Administration. At Mitchell Titus, Michael has engagement experience in various areas, including working as a tax manager to resolve payroll-related issues associated with the implementation of SAP GUI; preparing and/or reviewing tax returns and workpapers for corporations, partnerships, and individuals, and quarterly IRS and state payments; and preparing partnership returns for the firm’s largest private equity fund client. He also assists with a power authority’s inventory audits, including providing analysis and information to external vendors; effectively manages corporate client deadlines to ensure all tax filings and information are completed and delivered on a timely basis; prepares/reviews state and local amended tax return compliance; supervises several individual tax clients’ return and estimated tax payment processes; and provides advice to these clients regarding management of their tax liabilities. Over the years, Michael has helped Mitchell Titus recruit Hofstra accounting students as tax summer interns. He has also served as treasurer of the Black/Hispanic Alumni Association, helping to raise funds for the organization’s endowed scholarship. Currently, Michael is president of the Hofstra Alpha Phi Alpha Alumni Association, where he hosted a Fun Run that brought together Hofstra alumni to raise thousands of dollars.
B BHAA ALUMNI RECOGNITION AWARD RECIPIENT B
Patricia D. White, BA, ’78 Community Consultant Patricia D. White retired in August 2020 after 30 years as an administrator for Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health in the Children’s Division. She was a critical member of Westchester’s nationally recognized System of Care movement. This included influencing policy, practice, and service delivery for children and families with complex needs. Her responsibilities included leading Westchester’s Wraparound Training and Technical Assistance Team – providing training in System of Care for children with emotional, social, and behavioral challenges and their families. Her primary role was the development of the Westchester Community Network model throughout the county as well as partnerships with the numerous school districts in the county. The Community Network is an innovative approach for families who need the support of a variety of service systems. The model is grounded in a strength-based, family-driven, community-supported, culturally and racially competent, and needs-driven process. Pat is affectionately known as the “dot connector” – building and developing coalitions with the children’s systems, including mental health, child welfare, substance abuse, juvenile justice, education, and other youth organizations in both the public and private sector. Because of all this excellent work, Pat received the New York State Office of Mental Health’s “What’s Great in Our State Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2019. Pat served as Westchester County’s designee at Committee on Special Education meetings across all 43 school districts. In that role, she served as a single point of contact for schools and families to support community-based planning whenever possible as well as transition planning from out-of-home residential placement. Pat brings a wealth of experience and personal history to her current role as a community consultant. In the 1980s, she was the academic counselor and assistant director for Hofstra University’s New Opportunities At Hofstra (NOAH) program. During her years at Hofstra University, she recruited hundreds of students to the NOAH program. One of her many accomplishments at the University was becoming a chartered member of the Kappa Phi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. In addition to the IMANI Dancers, Black Student Union, and Student Government Association, and many more clubs at Hofstra University, Pat was an advisor and mentor for so many students, who later became doctors, lawyers, teachers, public servants, and administrators across the state. In the community, Pat serves on school committees and provides professional mentoring and “coaching” for new social workers and administrators in the human services field. She and her family established the Barbara Lee McCracken Scholarship in memory of her mother, Barbara. This scholarship supports college-bound students in their efforts to pursue higher education. During the past several years, Pat has assisted hundreds of juniors/seniors and their families in securing community scholarships for college. Currently, she is a member of several professional and community organizations, including the African American Advisory Board for the Historic Hudson Valley, Sister to Sister International, 100Cameras, Fabulous in Grey Project, and the Exquisite Taste Foundation. Pat is a jazz enthusiast and is a member of Reese’s Roundtable Book Club. She earned a Master of Public Administration at Marist College in January 2008. She is married to Hopeton White and has two children, Asha and Malik, and a 3-year-old granddaughter, London.
B STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARDS B African Student Association (ASA) Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Black Student Union (BSU) Black Students Advocating for Change (BLAC) Caribbean Student Association (CSA) Collegiate Women of Color (CWC) Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Hofstra Gospel Ensemble Hofstra’s Organization of Latinx Americans (HOLA) IMANI Dance Ensemble Minority Association of Pre-Health Students Multicultural Fraternity Sorority Council National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Hofstra Chapter National Association for Hispanic Journalists National Society of Black Engineers Omega Phi Chi Sorority Inc., Multicultural (OPC, Omegas) Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Inc., Zeta Chapter (PHIA/Phiotas) Queer and Trans People of Color Coalition Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., Nu Tau Chapter (SGRHO) SP!T Strictly Steppin’
B GOLD SPONSOR B
B SILVER SPONSOR B
B 2021-2022 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS B Congratulations! The Hofstra Black/Hispanic Alumni Association commends your commitment to academic excellence.
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT Brendan Sperling Major: Chemistry
ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Kayla Stadecker
Jayde Whitten
Major: Global Studies
Major: Psychology
HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY’S BLACK/HISPANIC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION GREATLY APPRECIATES THE SUPPORT AND GENEROSITY OF THE FOLLOWING PATRONS AND DONORS: Kehinde and Veronica Barkley ’03
Patricia Klahn ’64
Kristin Bennett ’09, ’11
The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, Hofstra University
Kevin Boston-Hill ’93 Calandra Branch ’91
Tanya Levy-Odom ’90
Dana Caraballo ’17 Stephanie Cooper-Smiley ’82, ‘89
Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce Inc.
Frederick E. Davis, Jr. ‘85
Brian Lyght ’87
Renelle Davis
Jonette Mines ’83
Solange Davis
Mitchell Titus, LLP
Karen Dozier-Ross
Robyn J. Murphy ’85
Erick Espinoza ’04
NOAH Scholars Program
Karen Everett ’90
Annette O’Neill ’82
Nuevia Greene ’09
Deirdra Powell-Robinson ’89 Miguel Pozo ’97
Michele Hart ’82
Mary Richardson ’86
Marva Hawkins ’90
Luelenia Roman ’82
Marta Holliday ‘94
Rudene Scipio ’83
Daphne Hornbuckle ’86
Duane Shippey ’03
Jeannette Jones ’93 Kappa Phi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., on behalf of Stephanie Cooper-Smiley as of April 22, 2021
Jamie Whitfield ’82 Jayda Yizar Onolder Yizar
Check out some great moments from the 2019 dinner!
2019 Alumni Recognitio n, Scholarship, and Networking Dinner
Charting Your Own Destiny Saturday, April 27, 201
Hofstra University Club
9, at 7 p.m.
, David S. Mack Hall,
North Campus
2019 Alumni Recognitio n, Scholarship, and Networking Dinner
Charting Your Own Destiny Saturday, April 27, 201
Hofstra University Club
9, at 7 p.m.
, David S. Mack Hall,
North Campus
The Herbert School and its Diversity and Inclusion Committee congratulate
Shannon Nia Alomar ‘15 Elementary Science Teacher Neighborhood Charter Schools-Bronx and all of the 2021 honorees
Phil Andrews President
Congratulations to all of the honorees of the Black/Hispanic Alumni Association of Hofstra University on its 2021 Alumni Recognition and Scholarship Celebration, themed “Building and Sustaining Excellence.” The Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is New York state’s largest African American chamber of commerce and the New York district office of the United States Small Business Administration. 2019 Small Business Champion for 14 counties in Downstate New York www.liaacc.org • info@liaacc.org • president@liaacc.org
Black/Hispanic Alumni Association Executive Board President Calandra Y. Branch ’91 Vice President Michael Coates ’07 Treasurer Sara Hendricks ’16 Secretary Jacqueline Campbell ’07 Historian Wilbert Davis ’20 Immediate Past President Stephanie Cooper-Smiley ’82, ’89
"People might not get all they work for in this world, but they must certainly work for all they get." – Frederick Douglass
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