Black Alumni
We Look to Our Past While Moving Forward
The UCR Black Alumni Chapter’s mission is to build a community that advocates for and creates opportunities for the academic excellence, professional growth and advancement of Black students, alumni, staff, faculty, and our community at large. From the trailblazing first Black graduates Roy Overstreet (class of 1958) and Zelma Ballard (class of 1959) to our most recent brilliant Black graduates, our respected alumni remind us of where we come from and where we are excited to be headed. We wouldn’t be here today without the enduring legacy and continual support of our Black alumni network. This is also why it is so important that we keep our legacy alive and thriving. To do so, the Black Alumni Chapter has established two main goals:
- Build a strong and active pipeline between incoming and current Black UCR students and the UCR Black Alumni network at large.
- Establish a fully funded Black Alumni Chapter Endowment Fund by or before 2022. In order for us to successfully establish that Endowment Fund into perpetuity on campus at UCR, we must $25,000 within 5 years. We are diligently working on that.
We believe that if these goals are met, we will have the foundation we need to secure our longstanding legacy for years to come at UCR. Thank you for being a part of the work that we affectionately refer to as “village business.”
Give Back
The UC Riverside Black Alumni Chapter exists to build a community that advocates and creates opportunities to be brilliantly black in a variety of ways such as academic excellence, professional growth and personal development of Black scholars, staff and faculty. Together, we are the living memory of the Black experience at UCR.
“Village Business” isn’t just our motto — it's the essence of who we are. We understand that It takes a village to support all of our brilliantly Black scholars on their journey of success while and after they attend UCR! In the last five years our chapter has created the Black Alumni Chapter endowed scholarship fund, awarded 10 scholarship recipients to student leaders and has hosted several events like our Preserving Black Brilliance Scholarship gala. We have also mentored several scholars via our B.O.L.D. leadership series, where we invite alumni to share their success stories and resources with current scholars.
There are many ways to support the next generation of Black Highlanders. Whether you choose to participate in making a financial donation like the Legacy Brick Program, coming out to support an event like Homecoming or sharing your expertise with scholars while visiting ASP. Receiving a higher education is crucial for all students, but accessibility can be a major concern, especially for Black college-bound students at UC Riverside. You can help make college more affordable by donating to the Black Alumni Chapter Scholarship. We hope that you join us in making a difference for our brilliant scholars!
Supporting our Black Scholars goes beyond financial donations. It's about sharing your time and talent to help them thrive. Our scholars can benefit greatly from connecting with Black Alumni, gaining insights on how to network, navigate the job market, hone their skills, and secure professional experiences like internships. Mentorship from Black Alumni is crucial in nurturing our scholars' aspirations and eventual success. By volunteering your time and talent, you can make a meaningful impact and help our scholars feel more connected and engaged. To get involved, please reach out to African Student Programs.
As the African proverb suggests, "we must go together, to go far".
Please connect with us on our social media platforms, Instagram, Facebook or on LinkedIn to stay up to date with how we build community at UCR.
R’Side,
Marvel Johnson
UC Riverside Black Alumni Chapter President
Sankofa Alumni
The sankofabird flies forward, but looks backward, with an egg (the future) in its mouth. It teaches us that we must go back to our roots in order to move forward with success. The alumni featured here truly embody the spirit of sankofa. They have shared the wisdom of the past and as a result, truly strengthened our students' future.
Roy Overstreet
Class of 1958
Notable Fact: Notable Fact: The first African American to receive a degree from UCR. He also has the distinction of becoming the country’s first Black oceanographer, and worked for nearly 30 years tracking oil spills and nuclear material in oceans.
Zelma Jane Ballard
Class of 1959
Notable Fact: Zelma Jane Ballard holds the distinction of being the first African American woman to graduate from UC Riverside. She was an honored guest at UCR's Black Graduation Ceremony in 2011 to celebrate new generations of Black academic success.
Preserving Black Brilliance
Preserving Black Brilliance: The UCR Black Alumni Chapter Inaugural Scholarship Gala
Attending college and completing a degree are important academic goals for any student. However, among African American college-bound students, affordability is one major concern that can be the deciding factor in their initial college attendance, continuation, or completion. In order to ease the concern of college affordability for students at UCR, we are hosting our Inaugural Black Alumni Scholarship Gala. Proceeds will provide scholarship funding to African Student Programs and help us to establish a $25,000 Black Alumni Endowment Fund. Our goal is to raise $15,000 through Gala ticket sales, sponsorships, and donations from UCR Black Alumni, Faculty, Staff, and community stakeholders. Your contribution will help to re-establish unity and community on campus at UCR. A portion of your ticket is tax deductible. Email ucraaba@gmail.com
