African American Alumni Council

The African American Alumni Council (AAAC) was founded in 1989. Council membership is open to all Franklin & Marshall College students and graduates of color. The council likewise encourages supporters of F&M's community of color to join.

About the AAAC

African American Alumni Council Sydney N. Bridgett '51 Awards Breakfast 2019

 

The AAAC engages current students and alumni in a network that connects them to the College and each other through effective, rewarding communication, programs and events. Our council embraces our collective responsibility to those who led the way among F&M’s community of color and to those who will follow, both on campus and in the world at large.

The AAAC also celebrates and promotes the rich history of F&M alumni of color by building upon meaningful traditions and dynamic accomplishments. In addition, we represent the interests and issues of alumni of color in the conversations that affect the current and future directions and conditions involving the F&M community.

Programs

Virtual Graduation Reception Program



Members of F&M's African American Alumni Council and College community members welcome the Class of 2021 into the alumni body. This program was recorded on Thursday, May 13, 2021.

Blacks in Technology: Perspectives of F&M Black Alumni

Alumni host an unfettered and information-packed discussion about F&M Black alumni in technology. This program was recorded via Zoom on  March 25, 2021.

Panelists

  • Ibrahim Kamara '15, (Policy Specialist, Google)

  • Randolph Carnegie '74, (Managing Director, Ken-Kor Consulting, Inc.)

  • Horace Facey '19, (Software Engineer, Google),

The Black Community & Faith: Past, Present and the Future

Panelists:

  • The Rev. Leonard Jamison '89, senior pastor, Better Day Ministries, Philadelphia

  • The Rev. Shawn Wilson '94, pastor, New Life Community Church, Clarksburg, Md

  • The Rev. Dawan Buie '10, pastor, Medina United Methodist Church, Medina, Ohio

Moderator:
  • Kaitlin Oliver '16, senior director of admissions, Franklin & Marshall College

Program recorded via Zoom on Feb. 18, 2021.

Election 2020: The Impact and Influence of F&M Black Alumni

Panelists:

  • Shakya Cherry Donaldson '09, Executive Director, 1000 Women Strong

  • Preston Kilgore '14 - Legislative Assistant, Office of San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston

  • Mariama Barry '20 - Field Organizer, PA Democratic Party
Moderator
  • Donnell K. Bailey '17, Tulane University

Session 2: Mental Health in the Age of Coronavirus and Protests

Session 2: Mental Health in the Age of Coronavirus and Protests

F&M Black alumni discuss mental health in the age of Coronavirus and Protests

Panelists:

  • Dr. Jinnie Cristerna '94
  • Dr. Kisha Bazelais '01
  • Dr. Marilise Hyacinth '03
  • Dr. Chad Lennon '03
Moderator:
  • Dr. Cherise Hamblin-Murphy '03
Program recorded via Zoom on January 14, 2021.

The Pioneers Club

In the fall of 1946, Dr. Sumner Bohee ’50, Franklin & Marshall’s first African American student, began his undergraduate studies at the College. Today, that pioneering spirit lives in students and alumni. The Council has created a giving society, the Pioneers Club, to honor the connection between student and alumni of color and the College. Read more about the Pioneers Club.

Meet the AAAC Members

African American Alumni Council Executive Committee

Executive Members at Large

Randolph Carnegie '74
Sharon Johnson '82
Patricia Claybrook '84

Ex Officio Members

Alumni Association Board:
Donnell Bailey '17
Aaron Bass '01
Preston Kilgore '14
Ericka Powell '94
Michelle Russell Flatt '00

Board of Trustees

Modia Butler '95
Shawn Jenkins '10
Ricardo Rivers '93
H. Art Taylor '80

The Sydney N. Bridgett '51 Medal

Sydney Bridgett Medal

 

This honor is presented to Franklin & Marshall alumni of African descent for outstanding achievement in a chosen profession or endeavor. 

Alumni selected for the Bridgett Medal come from diverse personal and professional backgrounds, exerting influence and providing support in a wide range of areas, including research studies and publications, leadership development, education, academic achievement, community service and the arts.

Bridgett Medal recipients provide positive examples to which current students can aspire, and they remind fellow alumni of our shared responsibility to ensure the continued vitality of F&M’s community of color.

The AAAC Executive Committee heartily commends the recipients of the Bridgett Medal, and it extends its most sincere thanks for their extraordinary work as well as the equally extraordinary manner in which they represent alumni of Franklin & Marshall College.

About Sydney N. Bridgett '51 

Sydney N. Bridgett '51 was a dedicated F&M alumnus who, after becoming the second African American graduate of the College, served as a civilian employee of the U.S. Air Force and went on to a distinguished career as an educator in the Lancaster area.

In addition, he was a founding member of the African American Alumni Council and a longtime supporter of the Black Student Union.

 

 

Sydney N. Bridgett ’51 Award Recipients

2024

The 2024 Bridgett Award Recipients gather for a group photo outside.
Augustus D. Pullen ’73
H. Art Taylor, Esq. ’80
Vance Marvin Campbell ’82
Darryl G. Smith, Esq. ’91
Shakya K. Cherry-Donaldson ’09
Danielle A. Sang ’18
George A. Franklin Jr. ’77 (posthumous award)

2023

The 2023 Bridgett Award recipients gather for a group photo
David C. Douglas Esq. ’73
Robert F. Paige, Sr. ’83
Keisha Knowles Phelps ’93
Akilah F. Craig, Esq. ’09
Cameron J. Rutledge ’16
Nadia R. Johnson ’17
David W. Giles ’74, posthumously

2022

The 2022 Bridgett Award recipients gather for a group photo wearing their stoles.
Frederick Reed '58, Retired Educator
Michael Hyman '79, Non Profit Director
Jeffrey Levy '83, Investment Banking
Robert "Kwesi" Koomson '97, Educator
Adara Combs, Esq. '09, Victim Advocate for the City of Philadelphia
Shakerra "Kerra Don" Lauther '11, Actress and Professional Dancer

2021

The 2021 Bridgett Award recipients gather for a group photo wearing their stoles.
Randolph Carnegie ’74,  Tech Consulting Managing Director
Clinton McClain ’83, Program Human Resources - Information & Systems Manager 
Richard W. Rogers Jr. ’90, Company President 
Dr. Chad Lennon ’03, Psychiatrist 
Jessica Dunbar ’13, "Socialpreneur" and Virtual Assistant 
Preston Kilgore ’14,  Legislative Assistant 
Tony Ross ’91, AAAC Chair, Former Company Executive & CEO

2020

Shawn M. Lacy, J.D. '74, Trainer and Entrepreneur 
Gwendolyn Poles-Corker, D.O. '75, Retired Medical Director
Lonnie E. Fuller Jr., M.D. '84, Physician 
Kesha S. Moore, Ph.D. '93, Senior Researcher and Development Specialist & Associate Professor of Sociology
Kyle A. Ross '94, Business Executive 
Duran L. Searles '04, Entrepreneur 
Kristy Embrack Searles '05, Entrepreneur
Tigist A. Hailu '11, Clinical Research Program Manager

2019

The 2019 Bridgett Award recipients gather for a group photo wearing their stoles.
Benjamin P. Bowser, Ph.D. '69 - Author and Retired Educator
William H. Vanderberg '76 - Retired Educator 
Yancy D. Edwards, Ph.D. '82 - Educator
Keenan L. Smith '94 - Morning News Anchor
Christina Watlington, Ph.D. '96 - Clinical Psychologist
Intisar "Star" Hamilton '06 - Artist
Dorinda L. Foster, J.D. '09 -  Control Room Compliance Officer
Shadoe Genesis Tarver '10 - Nonprofit Executive

2018

The 2018 Bridgett Award recipients gather for a group photo wearing their stoles.
Calvin Baker '65 - Business Executive 
Peter Rogers '69 - Retired Judge
Larry Coles '77 - Business Executive 
Kimberly Fletcher '87 - Nonprofit Executive
Michelle Russell '99 - Educator 
Stephen Tyson, Jr. '07 - Nonprofit Executive

2017

The 2017 Bridgett Award recipients gather for a group photo wearing their stoles.
Charles Williams '66 - Partner in Law Firm
LeRoy Pernell '71 - Educator
Sharon Myrtice Johnson '82 - Retired, Manager of Sales
Hilary Green '99 - Educator
Marilise Hyacinth '03 - Psychiatrist

2016

Donna Glover '76 speaks at a podium during the AAAC Bridgett Awards ceremony.
Donna Glover '76 - Nonprofit Executive 
Sylvester Cox '80 - Judge
Ricardo Rivers '93 - Business Executive
Nick Peterson '02 - Pastor

2015

PA State Senator Anthony Williams speaks during AAAC Bridgett Awards Ceremony.
Dr. Henry Wiggins '55 - Physician
Anthony Williams '79 – PA State Senator
Patricia Claybrook '84 – CEO, Jindan Cleaning
Jinnie Cristerna '94 – Author and Columnist, JET Magazine
Randy Wilkins '01 - Filmmaker

2014

A group photo of the 2014 AAAC Bridgett Award recipients.
Dr. Wanda Austin '75 – CEO, Aerospace
Horace Madison '88 - Entrepreneur
Dr. Donnell Butler '95 - Educator
Joaquim Hamilton '06 - Educator

2013

Two individuals embrace during Bridgett ceremony.
Rev. Louis Butcher '65 – Clergy
Louis Stewart '73 – Educator (posthumous)
Donald Marsh '79 – College Basketball Coach
Helen Cannady Saulny '83 – Educator
Mo Butler '95 – Chief of Staff, U.S. Senator Corey Booker
Dr. Cherise Hamblin Murphy '03 – Physician

2012

Audience member snaps a photo of Aaron Bass during ceremony.
Antony Mahn '65 - Retired TV Producer
Paula Dow '76 – Judge
Philip Salmon '88 – Business Executive
Dr. Erica Powell '94 – Physician
Aaron Bass '01 - Educator

Graduation Breakfast

Since 1994, the African American Alumni Council has honored graduating seniors with a gift and a ceremony to welcome them officially to the alumni ranks. Graduating seniors join a very special group of more than 600 African and African American alumni. African American Alumni Council members, representatives of the Franklin & Marshall Alumni Association Board and other members of the College community join with family members to celebrate our newest alumni!

VIEW THE 2025 GRADUATION BREAKFAST PHOTO ALBUM

A photo of a 2025 senior seated at a table looking to the left during the African American Alumni Council Graduation Breakfast.

2024 AAAC Graduation Breakfast


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2023 AAAC Graduation Breakfast


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2022 AAAC Graduation Breakfast


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2018 AAAC Graduation Breakfast


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