FEBRUARY 2025

NEWS FROM MIT

Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Karl Reid to Step Down

Karl Reid '84 has announced that he has decided to step down as VPEI, effective February 28. He stated that he has not decided what the next phase is but is looking forward to taking some time off.

Paula Hammond '84 Institute Professor and Vice Provost for Faculty has graciously offered to provide continuity for the Institute Community and Equity Office (ICEO).

MIT's President Sally Kornbluth's wrote in her letter to the MIT Community:

"I'm grateful to Karl for his leadership of the ICEO and his engagement with a wide range of MIT staff, faculty, students and alumni to help our community navigate a very challenging time. Given his understanding of the landscape and his familiarity with MIT, he has kindly agreed to continue to be a resource for the Institute."

The full announcement from President Kornbluth can be found here.

MAKE AN IMPACT

Fill out form if interested

Look for a BAMIT Short Survey Starting March 1

For over 50 years BAMIT’s core mission has been to support the journey of Black students through their time at MIT and beyond. As we look to the future amid the changes happening in our country and around the world, we are seeking your input on how to continue to support the journey of Black students at MIT.

Next week, you will receive a survey designed to help us evolve our strategic direction. Your input is vital to help us set the course for the next leg of our journey together.

Join BAMIT Leadership – Committee Chair Roles and Opportunities to Engage

As we look to build on BAMIT's successes and further our mission, we are calling on our talented and dedicated members to step forward and consider taking on a leadership role within our organization.

Currently, we have an urgent need for Committee Chairs for the following key areas:

1. Advocacy Committee
2. Fundraising Committee
3. Communications Committee

Serving as a Committee Chair is an incredible opportunity to shape BAMIT's initiatives, lead impactful programs, and contribute meaningfully to our collective goals. We welcome members from all classes and experiences to bring fresh perspectives and ideas to these critical roles. If you are passionate about advancing BAMIT’s mission and are ready to lead, we encourage you to step forward.

In addition to these leadership roles, we invite all members to actively engage in the work of our other committees. Here are the standing monthly meeting times for our committees, where your involvement can make a real difference:

• External Nominations Committee: Ad Hoc
• Governance Committee: 4th Thursday of the Month 7 PM ET
• K-12 STEM Committee: 3rd Monday of the Month 8pm ET
• Membership Committee: 1st Tuesday of the Month 6 PM ET
• Outreach & Engagement Committee: Last Monday of the Month 8pm ET
• Programming Committee: 1st Thursday of the Month 7pm ET
• Travel Committee: 1st Tuesday of the Month 7pm ET

These meetings are a great way to connect with fellow members, contribute to ongoing projects, and share your insights and expertise. Whether you are ready to lead as a Committee Chair or simply want to get involved in a specific committee, there is a place for you within BAMIT. If you are interested in becoming a Committee Chair or attending committee meetings, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] with your availability, interest, or any questions you may have. We’d be delighted to discuss how you can play a pivotal role in advancing BAMIT’s mission.

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to BAMIT.

Together, we can achieve great things for our members and the broader community.

Warm regards.

Patrick F. Gerdes, '84

BAMIT Chair

The elected members of the Alumni Association Selection Committee (AASC) meet annually to determine the president-select of the Alumni Association and all other term directors of the Association’s Board of Directors.

Among the candidates is Eboney Hearn '01.

Click here to see the full list of candidates and to VOTE.

EVENTS

Free Screening of Brief Tender Lights, Director Arthur Musah

MIT Gospel Choir Workshop Event

Hosted By Black Student Union/Black Alumni of MIT

MIT Gospel Music Workshop: A Night of Music, History and Community

Why Attend

• Lift Your Voice – Sing along and learn iconic Gospel songs in a vibrant, choir-style setting.
• Discover the Roots – Explore the history and cultural impact of Gospel music.
• Revive a Tradition – Be part of the movement to bring this beloved tradition back to campus!

Event Details

Thursday, February 27, 2025

5:30 PM (Light hors d’oeuvres) | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Workshop)

Killian Hall (14W-111)

RSVP NOW

(enter your email address in the Kerberos field)

Who’s Invited?

• MIT students interested in Gospel Music
• MIT Gospel Choir alumni
• Faculty, staff, and community members who love music and want to be part of this experience

This isn’t just a workshop - it’s a celebration of music, culture, and community. Come sing, connect, and help bring Gospel music back to MIT!

For more information, contact Crystal Dixon at [email protected].

We are excited to invite you to the MIT ASA and MIT ABC Alumni Mixer – a special evening celebrating the vibrant culture and community of the African Business Club and the African Students’ Association (ASA) at MIT.

We can't wait to see you there and make this a memorable evening together!

Event Details

📅 Date: Friday, February 28, 2025

🕔 Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

📍 Location: MIT Museum

What to Expect

Networking with the ABC and ASA alumni and students

Light refreshments and snacks

A glimpse into ASA's and ABC’s current initiatives and future plans

Registration

Click here to register for the event

MIT Africa Innovate Conference

The 14th edition of the MIT Africa Innovate Conference, themed “By Africa, For Africa: Path to Economic Sovereignty,” will focus on showcasing African-born solutions that foster economic independence, sustainability, and global competitiveness. This year’s conference will emphasize building strong institutions and frameworks to drive transformative development across the continent.

The MIT Sloan Africa Innovate Conference 2025 will take place on March 1, 2025, at the Innovation Headquarters (IHQ). The event will feature multidisciplinary panels, keynotes, and discussions, followed by a celebration of African music to close the conference.

Click here for more information.

Get Tickets

Black Graduate Celebration

Friday April 11, 2025

The Black Alumni/ae of MIT (BAMIT) are pleased to announce the annual Black Graduate Celebration. We will acknowledge the accomplishments of all Class of 2025 graduates, both undergraduates and graduate students. We will be joined by students, newly admitted students, faculty, staff and alumni. Each graduate will receive a hand-woven, embroidered Kente stole.

MIT National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Mixer

Friday April 11, 2025

This mixer will provide a fantastic opportunity for alumni to engage with the MIT student community, share their experiences at MIT and beyond, and offer valuable insights as current students navigate their academic and professional journeys. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP by April 1 using this link.

50th Anniversary Ebony Affair

Saturday April 12, 2025

Come enjoy incredible performances, delicious food, and a joyous celebration of MIT’s Black community alongside current students, alumni, newly admitted students, faculty, and staff.

Class of 1975 50th Reunion Dinner

Thursday May 29, 2025 at 6:00PM

The Class of 1975 will be celebrating 50 years since we graduated from the Institute. Time to celebrate and lead the march at commencement on May 29th in our Red Jackets!

You should have received an email regarding ordering your Red Jacket. The deadline for ordering a jacket and/or a crest is March 1. If you did not receive it let us know.

Please let us know if you will attend or if you have any ideas or suggestions for the event. Also, feel free to send us photos from our time at the Institute, which we will display at the dinner.

Debra Carlton [email protected]

Rosita Parker [email protected]

From Black History Project: BAMIT Redcoats at the Black Graduate Reception during Tech Reunions, Black Students' Union Lounge, 8 June 2018. Left to right: Jennifer Rudd '68; Alan Gilkes '68, SM '74; Shirley Jackson '68, PhD '73; and Ernest Cohen '64.

Tech Reunions

Friday May 30 - 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.

MITES 50th Anniversary Celebration

July 25-26, 2025

Celebrating our first half-century—engineering a world of inspiration, innovation, and impact.

Mark your calendars for a special weekend as we celebrate 50 years of transformative education and remarkable achievements! In honor of our golden anniversary, we welcome you to join us as we expand our reach and continue empowering the next generation of diverse STEM leaders.

Friday, July 25: MITES Summer Symposium

Saturday, July 26: MITES 50th Anniversary Celebration Activities

We look forward to sharing more events throughout the year as we continue to honor a legacy of nurturing young minds in STEM!

Hotel accommodations: A limited number of rooms, at a discounted rate, have been arranged at the Boston Marriott Cambridge hotel. These rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may sell out before the deadline. Early reservations are strongly encouraged. Reservations, changes, and/or cancellations should be made directly with the hotel.

Boston Marriott Cambridge (50 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02142)

Rate: $299 per night, plus applicable taxes (currently 15.95%)

Deadline: June 25, 2025

Book Online: Click here

Phone: 617-494-6600 (Mention the MITES 50th Anniversary Celebration Gala Dinner room block)

More details, including how to register, will be coming soon.

Warm regards,

Eboney Hearn ’01

Executive Director

CELEBRATING OUR BAMIT COMMUNITY

Paula Hammond Awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation

Paula Hammond '84, PhD '93 was awarded the highest honor for scientists and innovators.

She is an MIT Institute Professor, Vice Provost for Faculty, and member of the Koch Institute, and was honored for developing methods for assembling thin films that can be used for drug delivery, wound healing, and many other applications.

For the full story from MIT News, click here.

Kristala Prather Elected to the National Academy of Engineering

Burunda Prince, Director for Entrepreneurship at Clark Atlanta University

Burunda Prince '83 is the new Director of the PNC Southeastern Regional Center for Entrepreneurship at Clark Atlanta University's School of Business. In her previous roles at Harvard's Russell Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Comcast NBCUniversal's innovation The Farm, she supported entrepreneurs and has been recognized for her collaboration and innovation.

Look Who Met @MIT

from Slice of MIT

Crystal Dixon ’90 and Michael Dixon ’88

“I met Crystal during MIT’s Project Interphase in the fateful summer of 1986,” writes Michael Dixon ’88, who notes that they didn’t start dating until a few years later. “When we weren’t plotting our next foosball showdown, we were active in student groups like the Gospel Choir, Black Christian Fellowship, BSU, and attended Mass Ave. Baptist Church—basically, we were everywhere and involved in everything together. Of course, we also bonded over the truly important stuff: getting frappes from Walker and Next House. Because nothing brings people closer than a shared love for creamy, sugary happiness.” Read more.