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The Black Alumni Association of Arcadia University (BAAAU) was founded in 2018 and is open to all Arcadia University alumni.
The mission of the BAAAU is to promote the presence, empowerment, and success of Arcadia University’s Black alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community members through professional, educational, social, and networking programs, as well as through philanthropic support and opportunities.
The BAAAU seeks to serve as an advocacy organization for Black Arcadia alumni by fostering a sense of pride and commitment to the University, while enhancing its prestige and reputation.
The BAAAU serves:
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Black Alumni Association presents "What's Next?" featuring Vice President of Development and Alumni Engagement Brigette A. Bryant
Join as we work collaboratively to move past conversation and into creating action! This will be an interactive community discussion regarding issues and barriers that have historically plagued Black Arcadia Alumni & Students.
5 to 7:30 p.m., Zoom
The link to the event will be provided upon RSVP to BlackAlumni.AU@gmail.com.
On June 5, leaders of the Black Alumni Association co-authored a statement to the Arcadia University community, shared via social media and followed by email:
Dear BAAAU Family,
In times like this, we recognize the responsibility for groups and organizations to speak out against racial injustices in continued hope for a paradigm shift. BAAAU leadership admittedly struggled with articulating the proper words to accurately describe our feelings in this moment. However, we knew a prolonged silence would not be helpful. We stand in solidarity with the George Floyd protestors, who are making their voices heard against a battle that first began on the shores of Jamestown, Virginia in 1619. In short, #BlackLivesMatter.
We have intentionally chosen to move in preparedness versus haste. We are finalizing plans to help combat systemic barriers that have affected and continue to plague the Arcadia community both off- and on-campus. In the upcoming weeks, we will communicate our plans with the entire BAAAU group, which will be distributed via email and our social media networks.
In the interim - to aid our continued effort to support various aspects of the Philadelphia community - we have listed below resources and local black-owned businesses that we encourage you to support. Stay balanced, stay safe, and stay focused.
In Solidarity,
Black Alumni Association of Arcadia University Leadership
Aliyah Abraham '17, Stephen Tyson Jr. '13M, and Octavius Blount '15
Bail Funds
Philadelphia Community Bail Fund
Community Organizations
West Philadelphia Corridor Collaborative
Local Black Businesses to Support
List of Black Philadelphia & South Jersey restaurants
Black-owned Bookstores
Harriett's Bookshop (258 E. Girard Ave.)
Uncle Bobbie's Coffee & Books (5445 Germantown Ave.)
Hakim's Bookstore & Gift Shop (210 S. 52nd St.)
Amalgam Comics and Coffeehouse (2578 Frankford Ave.)
Black and Nobel Books (411 South St.)
Committed to equity in the Arcadia student experience, BAAAU established its Preview Support Program, designed specifically for low-income Black students attending Arcadia University. BAAAU would like to ensure full participation in Arcadia's Preview program by students who would otherwise be unable to take advantage of this program's richness. On behalf of these students, BAAAU asks members of the Arcadia community to consider helping all students participate in Preview.
In 2017, 5 percent of Black students participated in Preview; in 2018, participation rose to 6.5 percent. By 2019, because of donor support, student participation had risen to 8.7 percent. BAAAU aims to support 10 students annually, but we need your help.
Your generous contributions will go a long way to enable a memorable, life-changing, educational experience. Donations can be made online or sent by mail to:
Arcadia University
Office of University Advancement
450 S. Easton Road
Glenside, PA 19038-3295
Attn: BAAAU Preview Support Fund
Please make checks payable to Arcadia University and write "BAAAU Preview Support Fund" on the memo line.
For other ways to give, click here.
The BAAAU presents the Sankofa Award for Distinguished Achievement annually at Alumni Weekend. Recipients are Arcadia University graduates of African-American/African diaspora descent who exemplifies the spirit of Sankofa. This award is presented to a deserving graduate in recognition of their significant professional accomplishments, as well the contributions they have made in mentoring and social justice activism in the African American/African diaspora community, which greatly enhance the prestige of Arcadia University.
Past award recipients:
2019: Candace L. Griffin '13M
2018: Octavius LaVon Blount '15
The 2020 Sankofa Award call for nominations will begin in January 2020.
Alumni who are interested in joining one or more of the Black Alumni Association's committees should contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at alumni@arcadia.edu or 215-517-2566.