Submit your favorite ND graduation photos!

The Black Alumni Board of Directors wants your favorite graduation photos from your special day!

Whether that means your photos are from way back when or from just last year, we want to feature your pictures in a special post here on our blog as we prepare to celebrate this year's crop of AMAZING black graduates, with special kudos to our history-making valedictorian, Katie Odette Washington!

Please attach your photos in an e-mail to the Board historian, Arienne Thompson, at athomps1@alumni.nd.edu and send no later than MONDAY, MAY 10th.

Each photo should have a caption indicating the class year of the submitter and the full names and class years of any graduates pictured in the photo. Also, please limit submissions to 3 photos per alumni.

We can't wait to stroll down memory lane with you!

GO IRISH!

Photo courtesy of Kyree Blackwell

Campus Cameo... Nneka Ekechukwu Notre Dame c/o 2012

We are so lucky to have a guest post from current Notre Dame Sophomore Nneka Ekechukwu, reflecting on Spring Visitation weekend! I hope you all enjoy reading!


Spring is in the air!

Well…somewhat. As you all know, even if it’s 50 degrees, for South Bend, IN that is not too shabby. After Spring Break is such a tumultuous time for many students here, especially minorities. Post-spring break means Latin Expressions, Spring Viz, and of course the BCAC Fashion Show and after party! However it also means postponed midterms that we were excited to not have before Spring Break, but are now dreading. Thank God for the weekends! Spring Viz Weekend (March 19-21) was definitely one to remember.

As an African American student here at Notre Dame, I especially look forward to Spring Viz and the fashion show. My peers and I have memories from our own Spring Viz when we were in high school and it is just fun to be able to give back by hosting a high school student that will hopefully join us here in August. Spring Viz is a huge time commitment on my part by simply being a host and so I can only imagine how it is for the coordinators. The first night of Spring Viz (Thursday) is a 3 hour long meet and greet with all of the high school students present and many of their hosts. For many of us current students, this is one of our only opportunities to meet these potential, and hopefully future, Domers. Unlike the meet and greet last year or when I attended Spring Viz, this year’s Spring Viz included a visit from many diverse alumni who were in town for a conference. I had the opportunity to have casual conversation with a few of them and, although the discussion was brief, it was very enjoyable. As a student I’ve always been very intimidated to go to any events hosted by alumni or where I knew “Black alums” were going to be present. However any fears that I had are now gone. I was welcomed so warmly by every alumnus I spoke with and am looking forward to future interaction with them and others.

As for the BCAC Fashion Show, what can I say? Again, it was great! I am very impressed with how everything was able to come together despite all the obstacles the coordinators encountered. I was especially impressed with the way things turned out using Washington Hall as well as the turnout of the alumni. I was an usher for the night and so I was able to see everyone as they came in. As a student here it is good to know that our alumni are supporting us and our endeavors here at Notre Dame. It definitely makes me want to be able to follow in their footsteps well and to be just as warm and welcoming to students when I have graduated in a couple of years.

So overall “Spring Viz Weekend” lived up to the hype, just as I’m sure it always does! As black students we were given numerous opportunities to interact with alums, each other, and rising freshmen. Now as the school year is almost over (yay!) we all must put aside the excitement and focus on exams, projects, and upcoming finals, but we still have closing activities to look forward to in the future such as the Shades of Ebony Skate Party in April, BCAC Soul Food Dinner, and perhaps more interaction with black alums. Until then, let’s just hope that this South Bend weather remains as nice as it is right now…and pray for no snow in April!

Thank you Nneka Ekechukwu for sharing your ND experience with us!

Spring Signing!

Sloooooow down, Domers! We're not talking about the NFL Draft and our guys in the exciting race- that's still a few weeks away!

For our D.C. Domers, there is an exciting opportunity to meet&greet with ND Football Legends- past and present- this coming weekend. March 26-28, Fighting Irish ranging from Jerome "The Bus" Bettis to 2009 "Fly Guy" Golden Tate will be signing autographs and kissing babies at the Dulles Expo Center! Other former Fighting Irish include Rocky Bleier, Terry Hanratty, Paul Hornung, John Huarte, Bob Kuechenberg, Johnny Lattner, Tony Rice, Rudy Ruettiger So strap on your blue&gold for a little Irish Spring Fever. Is it football season yet :)

More details below:

Show hours: Friday 2-8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission: Friday admission is FREE. Saturday and Sunday are $5 a day, $9 for a weekend pass. Children under 12 are FREE all weekend.

*image via nd.edu*

Notre Dame Celebrates Black History Month

*image via hesburgh.org*

For any Black Alumni on campus or any in the South Bend area during Black History Month, there are a number of intriguing events sponsored by a wide array of organizations and departments. Some of the standout events:

• February 17 7:30-9:0opm Coleman Morse Student LoungeAfricana Studies presents a discussion on the structures that impact the African-American family. Guest speaker: Ray Turner (Clinical Social Worker)
• February 19 7:00-9:00pm LaFortune Ballroom Black Cultural Arts Council (BCAC) presents Black Coffeehouse- a night of student, song, dance and poetry. Tickets: LaFun ticket office $5 students, $7 adults/Door $7 students, $9 adults
• February 24 7:30-9:00pm Ryan Hall A panel consisting of ND faculty and students will entertain questions from the audience about varied topics of interest to the larger African-American community. The discussion is expected to be wide-ranging.
• February 25 5:30-7:00pm Oak Hall, South Dining Hall Angela Ogbolu, ND Alum and editor-in-chief of Kitukizuri (American-based African magazine) will be on campus to discuss her work and her experience as an African woman in the United States.
• February 28 7:00pm Geddes Hall Rejoice Mass celebrated by Father Hesburgh

Congratulations to these dedicated groups and clubs for organizing such an impressive array of activities! We encourage any Black Alumni on campus during the month of February to participate in any or all of these events.

Click here for the full events calendar!

Notre Dame Club of DC Helps Haiti

Cheryl Igiri ('99) with The Road to Fondwa co-director Justin Brandon ('04) and friends

This past Monday, in celebration of Martin Luther King's legacy of service and selflessness, the Notre Dame Club of Washington, D.C., along with a few ND Black Alum organized an event to raise money and awareness for the crisis in Haiti. Co-organized by ND Club of DC President and Cheryl Igiri BA (c/o 1999), and BA Board Historian Arienne Thompson (c/o 2004), the fundraising event featured the work of yet another Domer- filmmaker/actor Justin Brandon's (c/o 2004) The Road to Fondwa.

The Road to Fondwa is a powerful film that in the course of just thirty-five minutes tells the story of a rural Haitian community working towards a future for Haiti that's worlds different from its troubled past.

Monday's event at Columbia Height's CommonWealth GastroPub offered two screenings of The Road to Fondwa, and in turn asked for a $10 donation from viewers to be given to the American Red Cross.

Jerry Fenzel ('72) Arienne Thompson ('04) and Jerry Hogan ('72)

Amelia Thompson ('08) and Jerry Hogan ('72)

Gearing up for the first screening of The Road to Fondwa

Co-director Justin Brandon says a few words before screening #2

Domers show how to Donate Like Champions!

Well, the response from ND Alum, Family/Friends was incredible, and the event raised nearly $1400 in donations! A huge thank you to Sandy Lewis, the owner of CommonWealth GastroPub, who not only donated the space and refreshments for the event, but also contributed $500 to the funds raised. What an amazing gesture!

Congratulations to these DC Domers for coordinating such an outstanding event! This effort truly embodies the Notre Dame spirit.

For more information on The Road to Fondwa, and to find out how you can donate to the people of Haiti, visit the website.



We would love to hear how other Black Alumni around the country celebrated the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday or supported the Haiti effort! Comment away, Domers :)

Golden is his Name&Fame!

Big CONGRATULATIONS to Irish superstar receiver Golden Tate for winning the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top wide receiver! After a season of impossible catches, unbelievable touches and breathtaking plays, we knew that Golden was 24k on the field. Thankfully, the greater sports world has shown their appreciation as well.

AND Tennessee-native Tate was named to the Walter Camp All-American Team, an honor that the Irish last saw in 2002 with standout cornerback Shane Walton. Golden is ND's first offensive player to receive Walter Camp first-team honors since offensive tackle Mike Rosenthal in 1998, and the first wide receiver since since Raghib Ismail in 1990.

If you just can't get enough of the wow wideout, posted below is a highlight video of some of his most impressive plays!



Thank you, Mr. Tate for adding your Golden touch to an otherwise...rough football season. Go get 'em in the big leagues!

[via nbcsports.com]

It's Official...Kelly's Our Coach

The University made an official announcement Thursday night that our new head football coach will indeed be Brian Kelly. Congratulations to Coach Kelly, and welcome to the Irish family!

Highlights from the University's press release:
Kelly’s head coaching resume includes:

• Three seasons at Cincinnati from 2007-09, including a 34-6 record (.850) and two straight outright BIG EAST Conference title teams that earned BCS appearances in 2008 (Orange Bowl) and ’09 (Sugar Bowl).
• Three seasons at Central Michigan University from 2004-06, including a 19-16 overall record (.542) that featured a 9-4 mark and Mid-American Conference title in 2006.
• Thirteen seasons at Grand Valley State University from 1991-2003, including a 118-35-2 record (.767) that was highlighted by NCAA Division II national championships in 2002 (14-0) and 2003 (14-1).
• An overall record of 171-57-2 (.747) in those 19 seasons as a head coach

Kelly earned the Home Depot National Coach of the Year Award in 2009, was the BIG EAST Conference Coach of the Year in 2007, 2008 and 2009 (the first time a BIG EAST football coach has won the award three straight years) -- and was the American Football Coaches Association Division II Coach of the Year in both 2002 and 2003. Kelly currently ranks ninth among active FBS head coaches in victories with 171. He is the winningest active BIG EAST football coach and the only league coach with more than 150 wins.



His 2009 Cincinnati team won all 12 of its regular-season games, led the nation in passing efficiency (166.19), ranked second in kickoff returns (29.2 each) and sixth in total offense (464.25 yards per game), passing yardage (320.33) and scoring (39.83 points). Meanwhile, Kelly’s Bearcat defense rated third nationally in tackles for losses (8.42 per game) and eighth in sacks (2.92).

For anyone who missed AD Jack Swarbrick and Kelly's press conference from Friday afternoon, click here.

Onward to victory, Coach Kelly! (pleasepleaseplease)

*image via new york daily news*

ND Football Rundown

What a few weeks we've had, Domers! Charlie's out, Jimmy and Golden say onward to NFL, and now Kelly's in...almost definitely maybe.

Whooo- what a whirlwind of football feelings!

According to the center headline on ESPN.com, the "Irish call[ed] and Kelly answer[ed]." No definitive word has been sent from the University or Kelly, but the worldwideweb is absolutely electric with the news that the Bearcat Coach will be the future HeadIrish. The Twitterverse has Notre Dame and Brian Kelly as two of its top ten trending topics, so a big P-SHAW to whoever called ND Football irrelevant to the college football conversation!

With an apparent call for a non-casual Friday, the Athletic Department could make the official announcement tomorrow according to the NYTimes. Other sources hint that the Bearcats' last-minute decision for a media ban at tonight's football banquet indicates that Kelly will be announcing his departure to his players tonight.

We're waiting for the official ND word before we send congratulations to Kelly, but NDFootball-way to keep Our Lady in the (media) game!

All right, BA_ND, load up the comment box with your thoughts/opinions on our beloved alma mater's latest football fun!

*image via thedailygohper.com*

It's Official- Weis is Out...

The University released an official statement this afternoon detailing the release of Notre Dame Football head coach Charlie Weis.

Jack Swarbrick, the University's Athletic Director stated, "We have great expectations for our football program, and we have not been able to meet those expectations. As an alumnus, Charlie understands these goals and expectations better than most, and he's as disappointed as anyone that we have not achieved the desired results."

According to the release, Swarbrick recommended Weis' release to Father John Jenkins on Sunday night. Father Jenkins stated, "We have established an evaluation process for all of our athletic programs that, in the end, results in a recommendation from Jack to me. I accepted Jack's decision and look forward to working with him on selecting a new head football coach who is the very best choice possible for the University and especially for our student-athletes. I am most appreciative to Coach Weis for his service to Notre Dame...He and his family have my prayers and best wishes."

A press conference is scheduled for 6pm EST and can be viewed live at www.und.com

The rumor mill has been churning for months over who ND's top prospects and ultimately new head coach will be. Names ranging from former Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coach John Gruden to Cincinnati Bearcats' current coach Brian Kelly.

Well, if we've learned one thing from the past few years, the hiring experience will certainly be...interesting. Pray for us, our Mother, that it is also successful!

All right, BA, we would love to hear your opinions on ND's hottest topic! Are you sorry to see Weis go? Or have you been counting the minutes till our next coach? Whatever your thoughts, fill the comment box.

Forever love thee!

*image courtesy of chiefsgab.com*

Notre Dame’s Hesburgh Lecture Series Dialogue on Diversity Comes to Capitol Hill

Since 1986, the Hesburgh Lecture Series has brought a taste of Notre Dame's academic excellence to alumni and their local communities. The lectures, hosted by Notre Dame clubs, have perpetuated the example of President Emeritus Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., as a lifelong learner.

On November 19, Black Alumni of Notre Dame kicks off the first of a five-city Hesburgh Lecture Series Dialogue on Diversity. The first lecture, "A Post-Racial America," will be held in Washington, DC and features Dr. Don Pope-Davis, PhD and Dr. Darren Davis, PhD.

Co-sponsored by BA of ND and the Notre Dame Club of Washington, DC, the lecture is free and open to the public.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

6:00 pm -- 8:00 pm

Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2103

Independence Avenue and South Capitol Street

Washington, DC 20003

Lectures in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, and Los Angeles are slated for spring 2010, and dates will be announced soon.

We hope all of our D.C. Domers will join in the discussion with our distinguished guests!

*click the image above for a larger view*