OCTOBER 2024

Make an Impact - Help Spread the Word

We are pleased to let you know about two upcoming sessions hosted by BAMIT in collaboration with the MIT Admissions Office. The MIT Admissions Office sent this email to senior high school students and we are asking you to share the information with your networks. We are trying to reach as many potential applicants as possible to ensure they have accurate and complete information about all that MIT has to offer, and how to apply. We have also posted a flyer with the information. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Thank you for your support as we work to improve the diversity of the student body to enable MIT to sustain excellence in education, research, and innovation.

Regards,

BAMIT Board of Directors

We need 100 Black Educational Counselors by November 15, 2024!

Black student enrollment at MIT dropped from an average of 13% to 5% in 2024 after the Supreme Court affirmative-action ruling

The campaign is underway. More information will be shared in a separate mailing.

We have 24 new EC's to date. Follow the campaign progress here.

Comments and questions? [email protected]

Senior Advisor for Community Engagement

As a result of the discussions the admissions and administration held with alumni and other communities, MIT admissions has approved a new position for which they are openly recruiting. The new position is posted, at this link. Please spread the word.

Fill out form if interested

Click here for more details or contact Elsie Otero [email protected]

EVENTS

Tech Reunions

Thursday May 29 - Sunday June 1, 2025

Save the date for Tech Reunions then reserve a hotel room now at a discounted rate. (Dorm rooms will also be available when registration opens in March.)

We can’t wait to see you and your classmates on campus next spring! Visit alum.mit.edu/reunions for more information.

Class of 1975 50th Reunion

Next year the Class of 1975 will be celebrating 50 years since we graduated from the Institute. Time to celebrate and lead the march at commencement in our Red Jackets!

You should have received an email regarding ordering your Red Jacket. If you did not receive it let us know.

We are planning a dinner as part of our celebration. If you have any ideas or thoughts of what you would like to occur or if you would like to help plan, please let us know.

Stay tuned for a meeting in November where we will meet to catch up and share the plans for the Tech Reunion weekend.

Debra Carlton [email protected]

Rosita Parker [email protected]

BAMIT Events at the Alumni Leadership Conference

The BAMIT Annual Meeting was held on September 28, 2024, with over 70 attendees with approximately half attending in person.

The meeting included the installation of new board members, and focused on the challenges faced by the MIT community, particularly regarding admissions and student support, and the need for increased engagement and specific actions from alumni.

Key points included the importance of direct communication with students, leveraging existing programs like MITES, and the necessity for alumni to actively participate in advocacy, communication, and fundraising efforts.

The meeting concluded with a call to action for all attendees to actively engage in the outlined initiatives and support the collective efforts to improve the experience and representation of Black students at MIT, as well as a call for more volunteers to join the board and support its various committees. The presentation and other materials are on the 2024 Annual Meeting page.

The Board also met with students to hear their concerns and how BAMIT could assist.

Click here for a recap of the Annual Meeting discussion including next steps and action items.

Several of our BAMIT Alumni received Leadership awards from MIT at the ALC Awards Celebration. They were: Reginald Van Lee ’79, SM ’80, Samuel Nixon, Jr. ’77, Elaine Harris ’78 (posthumously), Adedoyin Olateru-Olagbegi ’20, MIT Alumni Gospel Choir Reunion, and The Chicago Chapter of the Black Alumni of MIT and the MIT Club of Chicago Collaboration - The Chicago Prof. Wes Harris Weekend. Full details of the awards can be found here.

We concluded the conference with a dinner attended by BAMIT Alumni.

Click here for pictures from the awards celebration and the dinner.

CELEBRATING OUR BAMIT COMMUNITY

Yamilée Toussaint Honored as a CNN Hero

She was one of the only Black women in her engineering program. Now, she is using dance to introduce a new generation to STEM. Yamilée Toussaint '08 grew up loving math and dance. Through her nonprofit, STEM From Dance, she’s combining those skills to get girls of color excited about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. See the full story on CNN Heroes.

Dale LeFebvre Featured on Slice of MIT

Dale LeFebvre '92 majored in electrical engineering and went on to become an entrepreneur, an inventor, and the founder of the private equity firm 3.5.7.11. A philanthropist and patron of the arts, he is also a passionate cook who made headlines for serving President Obama strawberry topped hot dogs at a fundraiser. He has entertained Oprah Winfrey as well. Read more at Slice of MIT.

WIlfrid Amisial, Author

BAMIT DC

Restoration Celebration

The BAMIT DC Restoration Celebration was a massive success! On October 9, 2024, we had a massive show out of nearly 30 individuals from the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area attend our social gathering at St. Vincent Wine in Washington, DC, a Black owned restaurant.

Many old connections were reforged, but new friendships were made as well. We had a diverse group with alumni spanning back from now to 40+ years in attendance, alongside friends and family as well.

This event could not have been done without our Board members planning as well as additional volunteers (Manny Ikpo, Audrey Hipkins, Bill Miner, Ike Enwere, Lance Macon, Samuel Nixon, and Renee Silva) with support from BAMIT National (Rosita Parker). Please stay tuned for further communications and future events!

Note: If you live or work in the DC area (including MD and VA) and were not aware of the events occurring, see the end of the newsletter on how to update your profile; activities are announced based on your address.

IN MEMORIAM

We have learned of the passing of two of our alumni, Dino Browne '91 and Larry Mathis '79. Our condolences to their friends and family.

STAYING CONNECTED

Are you a member of the BAMIT Alumni Community? Click here, login into your infinite Connection account and click Join.

Is your Infinite Connection profile information correct? Don't miss out on events and information in your area. Update your profile.

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An email group was created in late August, 2024 to provide information, discuss and address the drop in Black Student enrollment from 15% in 2023 to 5% in 2024. The group currently contains 60+ alumni, some of whom are current or previous faculty and administrators, and the BSU. To join the [email protected] distribution list send your request to Rosita Parker.

Have news about you or another Black Alum? We'd like to hear from you. We welcome items about our Alumni to publish in the BAMIT newsletter. Contact us at[email protected].