Legagcy of MITES: BAMIT DC’s End of Summer Kickback

Dear BAMIT Family,

On Saturday, September 20th, 2025 the DC chapter of BAMIT reunited and gathered for their End of Summer Kickback, held in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the MITES Program. And the result was nothing short of amazing.

From the delicious food and good vibes to the powerful conversations and beautiful weather, this was a day that reminded us why community matters—especially in these present and uncertain times.

By the Numbers

We were thrilled to have over 35 MIT alums, many of whom brought significant others, friends and kids, 20% of RSVP’d guests were MITES alumni, representing a powerful cross-section of the program’s many iterations which included MOSTEC, E2, and MITES Unite. We even had a current and local MITES Semester student attend, and to her amazement, had never seen a community quite like ours. In many ways, the event felt like a reunion, a moment of remembrance, and a recommitment to our collective purpose of ensuring the next generation’s access to STEM.

Special Thanks

We could not have pulled this off without the extraordinary generosity and support of our community:

We were especially honored by the presence of Eboney Hearn Smith ’01, Executive Director of MITES, who traveled to be with us and offered words that grounded us in the legacy and future of this incredible program.

We also took time to reflect on and honor Manny Ikpo SM '83, a beloved and deeply active BAMIT DC alum who passed away last year. His legacy of service, joy, and commitment was felt throughout the gathering.

Next Steps for Those Interested in Being Involved

This weekend reminded us just how important it is to show up for one another—and how much more we can do when we do it together. Here’s how you can stay engaged:

  1. Support MITES - Donate your time, mentorship, or financial support to help expand access to transformational STEM opportunities for students. Learn more here or contact LaShauna Walker, Alumni Relations & Fundraising Officer
  2. Get active with BAMIT DC - Whether you’re a local alum or just passionate about building community in the DMV, we’d love to have you involved in upcoming events. Reach out to us at [email protected]. We’ll be sharing more in the coming weeks about chapter updates and official communications.

Thank you again to everyone who showed up, showed love, and helped us keep this powerful legacy alive. This was just the beginning—and we’re already dreaming up a light holiday gathering for later this year.

With deep appreciation,

The Members of BAMIT DC

STAYING CONNECTED

  Join the BAMIT Slack Community

BAMIT has a Slack workspace — a private, alumni-only space where we can connect, share opportunities, and keep the community thriving across generations.

 Why join?

  • Stay in touch beyond reunions and emails
  • Introduce yourself in our new #introductions channel
  • Find and join channels by interest, class year, or region
  • Share news, events, and opportunities with fellow alumni

 How to join:

  • Go to BAMIT Slack.
  • Sign up with your @alum.mit.edu email address (MIT provides this forwarding email for life).
  • Once inside, introduce yourself in #introductions and explore other channels.

Let’s keep the BAMIT spirit alive and connected! 

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