October 2026 Newsletter
Letter from the co-chairs
It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since we hosted Black Alumni Weekend at Grinnell. This was the first of its gathering in over 10 years and it was an incredible opportunity for us to reflect on our individual and collective relationship with an institution that has shaped us in so many incredible ways. Thank you all for showing up and for standing with us as we began the methodical work required to establish the organization’s infrastructure, build relationships, and establish a foundation for long-term sustainability. Our work has always been guided by the belief that creating a strong, sustainable network is essential to ensuring that GBAN continues to connect Black alumni and support current students.
Approximately two and a half years ago, when we stepped into the co-chair roles, we were excited by the opportunity to contribute to a community that means so much to us. At the time, we were not entirely sure how long we would serve, but we knew we wanted to help GBAN grow, strengthen its foundation, and build momentum for the future. Since then, we have learned a great deal, forged meaningful connections, and had the privilege of working alongside alumni and members of the Grinnell community who share our commitment to this work. Along with our incredible leadership team, we’ve done work and launched initiatives that we are truly proud of but we know that our work was just the beginning.
After much thought, we have both come to the conclusion that now is the right time for us to transition out of our roles as co-chairs. This decision comes with gratitude for the opportunity to serve, pride in the work we have accomplished together, and confidence in the importance of continuing to build a strong and sustainable GBAN.
With that being said, how do we keep it moving forward? The great news is that Kari and Jeffrey plan to stay in their roles for at least another year which will significantly assist with the transition. The work they have done and continue to do is extraordinary, so we are in good hands!
Leadership transitions are a natural part of an organization’s growth, and we see this moment as an opportunity for new energy, ideas, and leadership to help carry the network forward. As we look toward the next chapter of the Grinnell Black Alumni Network, we invite fellow alumni to consider how they might contribute to the continued growth and sustainability of GBAN.
We are seeking alumni interested in taking on leadership positions and operational roles that will help move GBAN’s work forward. These opportunities could include coordinating events and alumni engagement, supporting communications not only with the newsletter, but also with social media. There are not only virtual opportunities for support, but also on-campus opportunities for those who can easily get to Grinnell.
To help us reflect on our time journey thus far, co-create a plan for the future, and identify ways for you to get involved, we invite you to join us for a virtual Open House on Nov. 11 at 7:00 p.m. CST on Zoom. We sincerely hope that you will be able to join us and we look forward to finding ways to deepen your involvement with GBAN!
With gratitude,
Opeyemi Awe-Famolu (‘15), Noel Green (‘94)
Co-Chairs, Grinnell Black Alumni Network
Update on giving circle progress
In the June Newsletter, we introduced the GBAN Giving Circle, a collaborative initiative with the Office of Development and Alumni Relations aimed at deepening our collective impact and building a sustainable culture of Black philanthropy at Grinnell.
Collective investment has always existed within our community. Many Black alumni have consistently supported Grinnell and current students through mentorship, advocacy, volunteerism, and financial contributions. Rather than relying on individual gifts alone, members of the giving circle pool contributions to create a larger, more meaningful collective impact. The GBAN Giving Circle is not simply a philanthropic initiative; it is a continuation of a tradition that has always defined the Black Grinnellian experience: making a way for one another.
In August, we did a soft launch of the Giving Circle and have been floored by the response. We have raised nearly $8,000 from just a small group of alumni. Imagine what is possible now as we open the Giving Circle up with the wider community, we hope that you will consider making a donation.
Funds from the Giving Circle can be used to support student internships, programming at the Black Cultural Center (BCC), or to facilitate student research. The hope is that these funds will be dynamic enough to respond to the changing needs of our students.
The GBAN Giving Circle is alumni-led and alumni-funded. When we pool our gifts, we become something no single donor can be — a permanent, community-owned resource that tells students on that campus: we are invested in their success.
$500 makes you a Founding Member. Monthly giving starts at $42. Founding Members will be able to vote to direct how funds are used. All donations, no matter the amount, will contribute to funding the Giving Circle. Our overall goal is to raise at least $50,000 by June 30, 2027. Will you join me in making a donation to the GBAN Giving Circle?
Here’s the link to give. We truly hope that you will partner with us to help pay it forward for the next generation of Grinnellians.
Student Spotlight
Name: Phoenix Obiri Yeboah
Class Year: 2029
Home Town: Burnsville, MN
Intended Major: Political Science
Phoenix Obiri Yeboah, a rising second-year student from Burnsville, MN is wholeheartedly embracing the many opportunities that define a Grinnell education.
During her first year, Phoenix participated in Grinnell’s Peer Connection Pre-Orientation Program (PCPOP), a year-long initiative designed for first-year students who identify with or bring perspectives from historically marginalized identities and backgrounds. One of the most meaningful aspects of the program was being paired with a peer mentor. “You have someone checking in with you to make sure you’re adjusting okay,” Phoenix said. This year, Phoenix returned to PCPOP as a peer mentor, helping a new cohort of students navigate the transition to life at Grinnell College. At the end PCPOP holds a “Paper Plate” awards ceremony celebrating what makes each student unique. “Everyone who meets me knows my favorite color is pink. The color pink is like my armor. My whole dorm room is pink, water bottle, I wear it practically every day…My paper plate awards from last year when I was a mentee and this year as a mentor both mention pink.”
Phoenix also served as a first-year representative for the Black Student Union and quickly became involved in a variety of campus affinity groups. Among her favorite experiences were Black Joy Month (Grinnell’s unique approach to Black History Month) celebrations and community-building study breaks. “Last winter we had an event at the BCC (Connie Kimbo Black Cultural Center) where GBAN brought us a bunch of lotions and self-care items for the winter,” she recalled. “That was really fun.”
Another highlight was a hair care workshop hosted by the African Caribbean Student Union (ACSU), where students explored different hair care techniques and products. Phoenix has also been active in Grinnell’s First-Generation/Low-Income (FGLI) community, particularly appreciating the addition of a dedicated lounge space. “It’s really nice to have a place to connect with students, staff, and faculty with similar backgrounds,” she said.
Last spring, Phoenix completed a Grinnell Global Learning Program course on new and emerging infectious diseases. Through the course, students examined the geopolitical and social impacts of disease outbreaks and explored issues related to public health, climate change, and zoonotic disease transmission. As part of the experience, Phoenix traveled to South Africa and Alaska, gaining firsthand insight into how environmental and social factors influence the spread of disease.
She has also moved from the residence halls into Sawubona House, a college-owned affinity-based project house located at 1318 East Street, where she lives with four other Black students.
Academically, Phoenix is looking forward to courses in political science, introductory sociology, and Grinnell’s Alternative Language Study Option (ALSO). “I’m going to learn Twi,” she said. “My parents are from Ghana, and I never got to learn it when I was younger.”
Phoenix’s journey at Grinnell demonstrates how meaningful mentorship can shape a student’s college experience. As Phoenix discussed, having a mentor who checks in, offers guidance, and provides support can make navigating the transition to college easier. Her experience as both a mentee and a peer mentor highlights how mentorship is not only an opportunity to receive support but also to give back by helping others find their place in the Grinnell community. Connections while supporting one another’s personal, academic, and professional growth. Stories like Phoenix’s remind us why mentorship matters and why we need more alumni and students to get involved in MentorGrinnell. By signing up as a mentor, you can help another Grinnellian navigate their journey, discover new opportunities, and feel supported along the way. Join MentorGrinnell today and help make mentorship a lasting part of the Grinnell experience.
Committee Updates
Alumni Engagement
Be In The Know
GBAN Open House Nov. 11 at 7:00 p.m. CST on Zoom. Come for community and to find out what’s next for Grinnell’s Black Alumni Network.
Care Package Project
Since 2014, the annual Care Package Project has provided care packages to every Grinnell student on campus in February. Every student. Packages are put together by alumni, as individuals and in groups, and are shipped and delivered to Grinnell for distribution over a few days in late February. For 2027, GBAN is leading an effort to have Black alumni provide care packages tailored to the needs and interests of Black students. What items were hard or impossible to find in Grinnell? We can band together to provide some of these items to current students. More information will be emailed to you, but if you are interested in participating, please email Jeffrey Fields.
Student Connections
Mentoring
Grinnell Black Alumni Network’s (GBAN) Student Connections committee strives to facilitate relationships between Black alumni and Black students, empowering current students through their Grinnell journey. One way we do this is through mentorship. Mentor Grinnell provides a format for Black students and alumni to connect one on one and explore topics such as academics, belonging, and careers.
Sign up for MentorGrinnell with GBAN!
Campus Spotlight: Programming at the Black Cultural Center
Curious about what current students are excited about as they enter a new academic year? Watch this video to find out!
Garden: Black Womxn’s Group
Garden continues to grow as one of the BCC’s most meaningful spaces on campus. Centered on Black women, femmes, and non-binary people, Garden offers a place of rest and reflection for dreamers, creatives, storytellers, healers, and organizers committed to liberation. The group especially uplifts the experiences of trans, queer, disabled, and low-income women, and also welcomes Black nonbinary and gender-nonconforming community members who feel drawn to the space. Over lunch, students lead conversations on community, holistic living, radical self-care, and healing.The group’s work is a powerful reminder of the care Black students continue to build for one another at Grinnell.
M.C.E.E. (Men of Color, Empowered & Engaged)
Also hosted at the BCC, Men of Color, Empowered & Engaged (MCEE) brings together Men of Color, Empowered & Engaged (MCEE.) supports male-identifying students, staff, and faculty of the Black and African diaspora as they recognize and develop their voices, individually and collectively. Gathering over a shared meal, MCEE makes room for Black masculinity to be expressed through joy, rest, healing, support, learning, and honest reflection, all with the goal of strengthening both its members and their communities. For alumni, it’s an encouraging look at the intergenerational mentorship and brotherhood taking shape on campus today.
Cooking with Conney
Cooking with Conney is an opportunity to build community over a shared meal at the BCC facilitated by members of Grinnell’s Black faculty, staff, and community stakeholders.
Black &_______
Each semester, Grinnell’s Intercultural Affairs hosts a Black &______ Young Alumni Speakers Series. Black &___ Series is a space to explore the various intersections of identities within and around Blackness. Young alumni return to campus and share their stories and experiences of identity development and exploration at Grinnell and beyond. We are looking for a speaker for April 8-9, 2027, if you are interested please email Sarah Smith-Benanti, smithben@grinnell.edu.
BlackSymposium (February 19-20, 2027) DAR, GBAN and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are creating a new program for 4-5 Black alumni to return to campus annually during Black History Month to discuss their career path and network with students. The Black Symposium explores the power of a liberal arts education through the experiences of Black alumni and professionals whose careers have followed unexpected, non-linear paths. Bringing together voices from the social sciences, humanities, STEM fields, and entrepreneurship, the symposium highlights how diverse academic experiences, from economics and film studies to systems thinking and community engagement, shape meaningful careers and lives. Rather than focusing solely on immediate opportunities, the event provides context, mentorship, and insight into navigating complex social systems, building networks, and pursuing work that is both personally fulfilling and impactful. Through conversations with alumni, students will gain a deeper understanding of what they can take from their Grinnell experience and how their education can prepare them for opportunities they may not yet imagine. If you are interested in being a part of the symposium, please email Sarah Smith-Benanti, smithben@grinnell.edu.
Student Organization Facts and Photos
Grinnellians attending Black Student Union x Habesha Student Organization x African Caribbean Students Union first general body meeting:
The Habesha Student Organization (HSO) is a student-led group at Grinnell College dedicated to celebrating and promoting Ethiopian and Eritrean cultures. HSO provides a welcoming space for students of all backgrounds to explore Habesha traditions, including food, music, language, and history. Through cultural events, social gatherings, and educational programming, the organization fosters community, cultural pride, and cross-cultural understanding on campus. HSO also serves as a support network for students of Habesha descent while encouraging broader engagement with the diverse experiences of the Habesha diaspora.
The Black Student Union (BSU) at Grinnell College is dedicated to centering and supporting Black student life while fostering a more inclusive and connected campus community. BSU creates spaces for cultural expression, dialogue, and advocacy, uplifting the diverse experiences and voices within the Grinnell community. Through programming, collaboration, and campus engagement, BSU invites all students to learn, build relationships, and participate in meaningful conversations about identity, equity, and belonging. The organization works to strengthen community, promote cross-cultural understanding, and advocate for the needs and well-being of students at Grinnell.
The African Caribbean Students Union (ACSU) serves as a student-led organization providing representation and a sense of community for students who identify as members of the African diaspora. This is facilitated through events, workshops, meetings, and overall presence on campus. The organization works closely in collaboration with the Black Students Union and the Black Cultural Center.
Upcoming events
Be In The Know: GBAN Open House Nov. 11 at 7:00 p.m. CST on Zoom. Come for community and to find out what’s next for Grinnell’s Black Alumni Network. Registration is open.
Public History Collective Post-Baccalaureate Fellow: Valeriya Woodard ‘25, the inaugural fellow, will be coming to a city near you this fall! In her work, Valeriya is expanding the accessibility, knowledge, and breadth of Black history and legacy at Grinnell by conducting oral history interviews with alumni. If you are interested in being interviewed, please reach out to her via email: woodardva@grinnell.edu
One thought on “Fall 2026 Black Joy: The GBAN Newsletter”
Thank you so much for the wonderful newsletter. A few things. I’m willing to assume a GBAN leadership position next fall, so tell me what you need. And I’d like to participate in the February symposium.
Thanks,
Bernard