Wesleyan's Black Alumni Council

“WE ARE FAMILY” RECONNECTION/REUNION WEEKEND

– by Deborah Conner Mitchell ’74 and Suzanne Thorburn ’74

On June 24-26, 2005, nearly 50 Black and Latino alumni attended a “We Are Family” Reconnection/Reunion Weekend. This event was held at the BWI Embassy Suites Hotel in the Baltimore/Washington area. The collaboration of an Alumni of Color “Ad Hoc Committee” (comprised of Granderson Hale ’73, Evans Jacobs ’73, June Jeffries ’75, Deborah Conner Mitchell ’74, Linda Rodriguez ’74, Lance Simmons ’73, and Suzanne Thorburn ’74) and the tireless contributions of Ciaran Escoffery ’00, Christine Colfer, and Jennifer Jurgen from the Wesleyan Office of Alumni and Parent Relations were integral to the success of this venture.

Throughout the weekend, there was an emotionally charged air of camaraderie that 30 plus years had not dissipated. Alumni reminisced, laughed hysterically at ’70s photo albums, dis-cussed future alumni ventures, and connected at the daily breakfasts and afternoon cocktail parties.

Other weekend highlights included the viewing and ensuing discussion of The Reunion—a thought-provoking television documentary produced by Paul Mason ’77—and a scrumptious Saturday evening dinner complete with outstanding performances by musical artist Don Strachan ’75, actor Steven Tejada ’97, and poet Norma Blacke Boudreau ’75. Saturday evening concluded with dancing to ’70s music until the wee hours.

Many of the alumni who attended this Reunion were excited about the discussions concerning additional gatherings planned through 2007. Faraneh Carnegie ’05 (Ciaran Escoffery’s succes-sor) has already provided tremendous support and is eager to help with future ventures. We want you to be involved and included so please make sure your most recent e-mail address and mail-ing address is on file with Faraneh Carnegie in the Wesleyan Office of Alumni and Parent Relations fcarnegie@wesleyan.edu.

Thank you to all who attended the Reunion. It was truly inspirational!