This summer has been nothing short of radiant for The Alliance. From campus visits to garden lectures, each moment carried the promise of new beginnings and lasting connections.
Whether online or in person, I had the privilege of recruiting at Xavier University, Howard University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Spelman College, North Carolina A&T State University, Morgan State University, and Winston-Salem State University. At each stop, I met brilliant students and dedicated administrators whose enthusiasm reminded me why this work matters—building pathways, opening doors, and sparking possibility.
A highlight of the season was traveling to Wilmington, Delaware, where we gathered at Winterthur Museum, Library & Garden to welcome the 2025 SIP-C Cohort. The day was enriched by a guest lecture from Key Jo Lee, who set the tone for a year of inquiry, growth, and collective vision. I also had the honor of giving a presentation on Edmonia Lewis, lifting her significance not only to the art world but also to the work of cultural preservation. Her legacy reminds us that art is never separate from history. SIP-C is generously funded by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation.
The 2025 SIP-C Cohort
- Mawutor — University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
- Nicole — Morgan State University
- Chimdinma — Howard University
- Noah — Howard University
- D’Lylah — Howard University
- Randall — Morehouse College
- Janae — North Carolina A&T State University
Later in July, our journey brought us to New Haven, CT for SMITAH, supported by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation and Yale University’s ASCEND Initiative. This year, we hosted Kindred Voices, a conversation between Kennedi Carter and Kaelin Keller, which invited us to reflect on artistry, heritage, and the power of shared stories. The conversation flowed with authenticity, reflection, and a vision for a sustainable future. From NYC streets to Yale’s historic halls, from Mystic Seaport to the decks of the Amistad Schooner, the cohort embraced every moment.
The 2025 SMITAH Cohort
- Amelia C. — Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
- Andrew N. — University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
- Gillian J. — Howard University
- Olyssa M. — Gateway Community College
- Nichole N. — Morgan State University (Graduate)
- Nylah S. — Fisk University
- Robert K. III — Tuskegee University & University of Pennsylvania (Graduate)
And none of this would be possible without the steady guidance of our mentors, who continue to shape futures with wisdom and care:
- Prof. Kathryn Coney-Ali — Co-Director, Howard University Art Gallery
- Dr. Michael Wilson — Professor of Art History, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
- Dr. Iris Barnes — Director & Curator, Lillie Jackson Carroll Civil Rights Museum,Morgan State University
- Tony Bounds — Chief Archivist, Tougaloo College
This season has been a reminder that recruitment is more than outreach—it’s storytelling, community-building, and planting seeds for what’s yet to come.
Radiantly,
-PR!