Meeting Summary: 2025 BAMIT Annual Meeting |
Date: September 27, 2025
Theme: Resilience and Rising in Unity
Summary
This meeting highlighted BAMIT’s dedication to addressing systemic challenges through resilience, community unity, and active engagement with students and MIT administration. The discussions pointed to a multi-pronged approach involving enhanced fundraising, mentorship, inclusion of younger alumni, transparent communication, and strong advocacy. Attendees were mobilized toward clear action steps involving volunteerism and financial support with particular emphasis on the MITES program to increase Black student representation. The meeting closed with a commitment to building a vibrant BAMIT community that sustains its influence and impact at MIT and beyond.
Opening Remarks
- Emphasis on collaboration, collective action, and grace for the ongoing efforts of BAMIT.
- Recognition of resilience rooted in history, culture, faith, and DNA of Black, Brown, and historically marginalized communities.
- Call to rise together in unity despite challenges faced, with focus on mentorship, support, and investment in students and community.
- BAMIT’s commitment to nurturing leaders, amplifying voices, and fighting for justice and equity for current and future generations.
BAMIT Leadership and Participation
- Introduction of the 2025-2026 BAMIT Board and committee chairs with encouragement for broader committee participation.
- A working board of ~16 members is ideal, with many activities requiring volunteer support on committees and fresh voices.
- Continuity on the board is emphasized, with several key leaders highlighted.
Financial Sustainability and Fundraising
- Fundraising aimed not only at supporting current programs but also at establishing a long-term endowment.
- Target: Build an endowment starting at $100K aiming up to $1 million over five years.
- Currently approximately $115K available; plans to commit a portion to the endowment.
- Request for financial expertise in community to assist in planning and managing funds.
Student Support Priorities
- Mentoring, coaching, and networking are top priorities for student support based on feedback.
- BAMIT's role is to actively support students through established networks and committees.
- Importance of ongoing engagement with MIT administration to foster relationships and advocacy.
Advocacy and Alumni Engagement: The Group of Eight
- The formation of the Group of Eight Black alumni to engage MIT administration on issues including potential changes in the Office of Minority Education (OME).
- Transition of OME to OASES (Office of Academic, Community, and Engagement Success) with ongoing focus on student support.
- Efforts to improve Admissions and Yield of Black students with enhanced use of Black Educational Counselors (ECs).
- Fundraising efforts to expand the MITES program to double or more the number of participants, increasing pipeline to MIT.
- The Black alumni community's engagement in influencing policies and supporting students.
Challenges in Engagement and Fundraising
- Noted generational gap with Board dominated by 1970s alumni; plan to increase younger alumni participation.
- Barriers in consistent communications and awareness of BAMIT events and activities; email forwarding issues affecting outreach.
- Many alumni feel like survivors rather than graduates, affecting willingness to engage or contribute.
- Dispersed fundraising efforts lead to confusion on impact and usage of donated funds.
- A push for clarity on how funds are used and more transparent financial reporting to improve trust and motivation.
Student-Alumni Connection and Mentorship
- Revamp of the "Family Gathering" event to foster intimate discussions between students and alumni, strengthening relationships.
- Outreach and Engagement Committee’s role to build bridges with current students for mentoring and support.
- Recognition that student engagement drives greater alumni involvement and future giving.
- Participation in local and regional BAMIT events and chapters encouraged to enhance community ties.
- Use of social media and communication platforms like Slack to foster ongoing engagement.
Fundraising Strategy and Giving Impact
- Discussion and unanimous motion to focus giving on MITES funds to maximize impact.
- Emphasis on collective impact of many small donations creating a powerful voice at MIT.
- Highlight of legacy giving and planned gifts as ways to contribute and have lasting impact.
- Need for easy-to-access donation links, clear communication on where money goes, and regular impact reporting.
- Encouragement for all alumni to participate financially—even modest amounts matter for visibility and influence.
- Donation tracking by MIT counts all gifts from Black alumni toward collective influence regardless of earmarking.
Action Items and Commitments
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Attendees encouraged to email [email protected] with their name and areas where they can contribute time, talent, or treasure.
- Call for volunteers to help with communications, local chapters, mentoring, fundraising, and event planning.
- Everyone urged to check and update their MIT alumni contact information for effective communications.
- Recognition of ongoing committee work and appeals for broader volunteerism.
Closing Remarks
- Summary of key discussion points including mentorship, legacy building, financial support, generational inclusion, and institutional relationships.
- Emphasis on converting ideas into concrete action plans with accountability and tracking.
- Encouragement for continued engagement with students and greater visibility of BAMIT’s role.
- Committees and board to share outcomes and follow through on initiatives discussed.
Key Links and Resources
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MIT Giving Portal: giving.mit.edu (search “MITES” to donate)
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BAMIT Donations: bamit.org/donate
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Volunteer: Engagement Opportunities
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BAMIT Contact Email: [email protected]
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Communication Platforms: BAMIT Slack channel for ongoing discussions
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Annual Meeting Materials: bamit.org/2025
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