George Mason Black Alumni Chapter

Amazing night celebrating our 2022 Distinguished Alum,

Congratulations 💛💚

The Celebration Continues...

How can best serve you in your career goals?

This summer, the Alumni Office is working on mapping out programs and services for Mason Alumni and we need your help in identifying what would be most beneficial to you!

Join both the BAC and Alumni Association groups on LinkedIn to stay plugged in.

Survey Link in bio 💚💛

Our outgoing President will still be with us in an advisory role!

Janae D. Johnson is a proud 2x alumna of Mason; having obtained a B.S. in Psychology and M.A.I.S. in Higher Education; and has completed certificates from the University of South Florida.

Since 2011, she has worked at Mason and is the Associate Director of Student Employment and Enrichment within the Office of University Branding. Within the community, she is a student organization advisor, and proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and Alfred Street Baptist Church.

Originally from Petersburg, Virginia, Janae lives by her family motto: “If I can help someone along the way then my living will not be in vain.”

Meet our final Director-at-Large!

Nadira Johnson graduated from George Mason University in 2013 with a B.S. in Neuroscience. She has a passion for giving back to her community and serving others.

After graduating from Mason, Nadira discovered a passion for public health. Since graduating, Nadira has obtained her Master of Public Health from Virginia Commonwealth University and is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Public Health at Morgan State University.

She currently works as a Program Manager for the CDC Foundation and is a soldier in the D.C. National Guard. Nadira is also a member of the American Heart Association Community Impact Committee in Richmond, Va., and volunteers with multiple organizations in Richmond, VA.

Meet Director-at-Large, Maia!

Maia Elise Perry is a 6-figure entrepreneur owning an Influencer Brand Strategy and Marketing Agency. With an education at Mason and a Bachelor’s in Communication and a concentration in Public Relations, Maia Elise struggled to find an internship/job after being laid off due to the pandemic. She took a leap of faith and began her own business and within 8 months created a 6-figure leading virtual assistant influencer agency.

Maia Elise has worked with public figures, VH1 reality persona stars and various influencers and content creators throughout America. Her main goal is to inspire individuals to follow their passions and dreams without hesitation to find full happiness and fulfillment.

Welcome Bri, another Director-at-Large!

Bri Hayes (she/her) is a proud Richmond, Virginia native currently residing in Alexandria, Virginia where she works as a Project Delivery Senior Analyst with Deloitte Consulting LLP in Government and Public Services.

Bri graduated from Mason in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health. She also just completed her course requirements to obtain her Master’s of Public Health in Behavioral and Community Health from the University of Maryland College Park.

During her time at Mason, Bri was highly involved within Student Involvement, PAC, and NPHC. In her spare time, Bri enjoys exploring DC and being a dog mom to her two year old Cavapoo, Lulu.

Welcome back, Sam!

Samantha McClelland is an experienced Risk Manager with a demonstrated history of working in Higher Education. She has worked several years in Higher Education administration providing continuity of operations when needed and a focus on administrative compliance. Samantha also has several years of experience in law enforcement as well as social services.

Samantha's diversified professional experiences enables her to problem solve, troubleshoot and assess critical situations. Samantha honed in on her career in Student Services and Risk Management while working at George Mason University for over 20 years.

Samantha completed her degree in Risk Management Administration and Criminology at Mason in 2019. She now gives back to Mason and the community by volunteering in several areas but most proudly as a mentor.

Meet our new Treasurer!

Deion Maith is originally from Heathsville, Virginia and currently a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Social Justice and Human Rights. He also completed his bachelor’s degree in Integrative Studies with a focus in International Studies at George Mason in 2020. Professionally, he is Project Manager at Adfero in Washington, DC.

Deion is also a graduate intern for the Black Male Success Initiative at Mason. In his spare time, Deion enjoys spending time with his puppy Benji and traveling domestic and internationally!

Welcome back our Secretary!

Lamar Crosby graduated from George Mason University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems and Operations Management. He is currently a Consultant for Deloitte Consulting LLP, where he supports the federal government's efforts in system migration, test automation, and cloud computing.

Lamar has served on the Black Alumni Chapter's Board of Directors since the Spring of 2019 in the roles of Treasurer and Secretary.

Meet our new VP of Engagement!

Dr. Olufunke Owolabi is Senior Director of Multifamily Employee Engagement and Development. She leads the comprehensive strategy that champions activities and best practices in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

She also has oversight for employee communications, culture and learning. Olufunke joined Freddie Mac in 2012, and with nearly two decades of experience, she works across the business to optimize Freddie Mac Multifamily's culture, most recently shaping and driving our employee-focused Diversity Speaks Series and learning and discovery journey focused on allyship, anti-racism and unconscious bias to build diversity competence, while empowering and inspiring staff to lead more inclusively.

Welcome our new VP of Events!

Zavin currently serves as the Director of Development for University Advancement and Interim Director of Development for the Honors College. In his current role, he creates and oversees the implementation of a strategic approach to alumni engagement, alumni activities, and fundraising, which includes major gifts, corporate donations, and in-kind resources for the Honors College. In addition, he provides development support and counsel to the academic and alumni leadership.

In his role within University Advancement, he oversees the Office of Annual Giving and the Office of Parents and Families. He also has development responsibilities for University Priorities. In this role he raises funds for LGBTQIA+ initiatives, DEIJ, and Interfaith projects. Zavin received his BA (Communications) and MA (Telecommunications) at Mason, with the master’s degree having a focus on policy.

Meet our new President!

Deidra Bailey works as the Project Implementation Director for CityTutor DC, an initiative through Citybridge Education where she supports school leaders as they work to integrate and implement high-impact tutoring in their schools. Before joining CityTutor, she was High School Principal at DC International School (DCI), a dual language and IB for ALL charter school in Ward 4.

Deidra has served as both a Curriculum Specialist and Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness Facilitator for Teach For America Summer Institute, supporting the development of first year teachers during their summer institute.

Deidra holds a B.A. in Government and International Politics with a minor in African and African American Studies and a M.Ed in Special Education. She currently serves as a BAC Director-at-large and is also a past Mason Board of Visitors Student Representative.

Congratulations to our newly elected BAC Board of Directors for the 2022-2023 term!

President: Deidra Bailey
VP of Events: Zavin Smith
VP of Engagement: Dr. Olufunke Owolabi
Secretary: Lamar Crosby
Treasurer: Deion Maith
Immediate Past President: Janae Johnson
Director-at-Large: Samantha McClelland
Director-at-Large: Bri Hayes
Director-at-Large: Maia Perry
Director-at-Large: Nadira Johnson

You’ll get to learn more about this team individually over the next several posts! 💚💛

Are you an EIP alum?

Come reconnect with other Early Identification Program alumni on Saturday, June 25 from 6-8 p.m. at Horizon Hall on Mason's Fairfax Campus. Light refreshments will be provided.

Current and former directors of the EIP program, as well as special guests, Mrs. Cadenas and Mr. Lewis, will be in attendance. A virtual attendance option will be available! Link in bio! 💚💛

We would like to congratulate the following individuals who are the 2022 recipients of a $1000 book award, based on their academics and service to the Black Mason community. Congratulations!! 💚💛

Alexis Massenburg (BA Global Affairs and French '22)
Nautia Smalls (BA Integrative Studies '23)
Crystal Smith (BS Biology '24)

“The truth is, no one of us can be free until everybody is free.” - Dr. Maya Angelou

Happy good people!! ✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽👑

Enjoy your celebrations today and swipe for a surprise!

It’s ! Here are a few ways to support your fellow Patriots this month and beyond.

1. Tune into the discussion on LGBTQ+ workplace experiences after Mason
2. Attend Pride Month Trivia night
3. Connect with and support to the Lambda Alumni Chapter
4. Listen, learn and become an ally to your q***r community members

Sign up at one of the links in our bio.

There are no perfect words to say in response to this week’s news.

We honor the 21 lives that are no longer with us. We extend love to their families and everyone affected by this horrific tragedy.

As the work week ends, we hold space for the students, educators, administrators, staff, parents, counselors, nurses, nannies and members of our community who have been holding their breath stepping into schools this week.

We see you and we mourn with all who are mourning.

As you navigate your workplace, family, and life, we stand in support and community.

Congratulations, Patriots!!!
Some of you are first generation college graduates.
Some of you worked multiple jobs to pay your way through school.
Some of you graduated in less than 4 years.
Some of you graduated in more than 4 years.
Some of you made the hard decision to take a break during your studies for life reasons. But you came back and finished!

ALL of you made it through a global pandemic.

Wherever you find yourself on that list, please know that the Black Alumni Chapter is proud of you, here for you, and happy to officially welcome you to the BAC! 🎓🥳💚💛

Help us celebrate you by tagging us in your stories!

The Office of Alumni Relations is headed to California next week for some Presidential receptions with alumni and donors.

If you’re local to San Diego, LA or San Francisco, register for the reception nearest you! 💚💛

2 days until our home ownership goal setting workshop! Don’t miss out on these gems! Register today 💚💛🏘

Many people feel that the homeownership process is daunting and overwhelming.  One thing that we know is taking a bit of time to map out your plan of action increases your likelihood of success. 🏠
 
In this session, Shawn Williams (BA ‘99) will help you map out your personalized plan of action using SMART aspects of goal setting. 📊

Whether an existing homeowner, real estate investor or first-time buyer, we encourage you to join us on Thursday, May 12 from 6-7 p.m. Link in bio!

Voting closes TONIGHT at 11:59 p.m. EST for our next Board of Directors.
Cast your ballot now if you haven’t already. 💚💛🗳

Investment Consultant and GMU Alum Mawuli Vodi (BA Economics ‘09) is giving a 30% discount of his E-book before Financial Literacy Month ends tomorrow!

Follow his page and click the link in his bio using code FINLITMO-30. Support if you can! 💚💛

He also has a free budget template and a free E-book.

Our Black Alumni Chapter board members will be down in Durham for the 2022 Black Alumni Collective Conference and would love to meet our NC Alumni! Join us at Boricua Soul for a social happy hour to meet the board and connect with other local alumni.
Registration is FREE and all are welcome to attend. Food and drinks can be purchased onsite. Link in bio!

We have received feedback that the image associated with our most recent flier did not best depict/reflect our target market and community. We have taken immediate action and have switched out the photo.

We truly appreciate your voices and want to make sure we are creating content that “honors our community.” The irony is not lost on us that the conversation will be about inequality, systemic racism and inclusion.

We thank you for your grace as we use this as a teachable moment and we apologize to anyone we may have offended. Hopefully this image better depicts equity from a Black-centered lens.

More of this feedback is desired, so we’d love to share space with you at Thursday’s event and you can always feel free to email us at [email protected].

We’re 3 days away from our first ever Honoring Our Community event with the Honors College and their alumni chapter.

What aspects of inequality, inclusion, privilege and /or systemic racism would you like to see discussed?

DM us your responses or comment below!

Make sure you register for the virtual event at the link in our bio. See you Thursday at 7 pm!

We want to send a huge CONGRATULATIONS to our 2022-2023 Black Scholars Endowed Scholarship recipient, Oladunni Oni!

Dunni is a Junior, majoring in English with a concentration in Cultural Studies. She also is an Accelerated Master's Student, focusing on Criminal Justice.

There were 350 unique applications for GMUAA scholarships and 31 unique applications for the BAC Endowed Scholarship. We are so proud of our students! 🙌🏾

Help us congratulate in the comments section! 💚💛👇🏾

On April 21, the BAC and the Honors College are co-hosting the first-ever alumni “Honoring Our Community” event.

The program will provide space for alumni near and far to engage in meaningful conversations around inequality, inclusion, privilege, and systemic racism.

We hope that you will join us so that we may uplift the voices of Mason alumni as we work to fulfill the goals set forth by the Presidential Initiative on Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE).

This virtual event will be moderated by Sam Steen, PHD
Associate Professor, School Counseling.

Tag a friend/alum/colleague who needs to tune in and register at the link in our bio today!

This could be you! Swipe to see if any of our roles suit (or challenge) you and nominate yourself or a fellow alum TODAY!

Nominations close tomorrow for the 2022-2023 term. 💚💛✅