Celebration of Black Excellence

Suffolk's annual Celebration of Black Excellence recognizes the achievements of alumni, faculty, staff, and students from the College of Arts and Sciences, the Law School, and Sawyer Business School.

This community-wide celebration is organized by the Suffolk University Black Alumni Network (SUBAN) in collaboration with the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, the Black Student Union (BSU), The Caribbean Student Network (CSN) and the Black Law Students Association (BLSA).

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Past Events

2026

2026 Celebration of Black Excellence

Committee Members

Sarah Abdalla, Director, Alumni Relations
Tamela Bailey, JD '04, Trustee
Tara Balan, MBA '25, Director, Summa Society Leadership Giving Program
Jennifer Blakely, MED '20, Chair, Suffolk Employees of Color Affinity Group; Assistant Director, Mildred Sawyer Library
Kyara Brown-Conerly, President, Black Law Student Association
Yolanda Burrell, MBA '18, Chair, SUBAN
Zoe Clayton, President, Black Student Union
Alex Ferreiras, BS '21, Associate Director, Alumni Relations and Annual Giving
Ernst Guerrier, BS '91, JD '94, Trustee
Hind Habbach, BA '09, Former Trustee
Caitlin Haughey, MED '96, Associate Vice President, Advancement Engagement and Alumni Relations
Amani Lynch, President, Caribbean Student Network
Trent Masiki, PHD, Director, Black Studies Program
Joyce Miller, BS '97, Member, SUBAN; Associate Director, Advancement Services
Aaron Mundele, MSA '19, Member, SUBAN
Katherine Obeng-Mensah, President, African Student Association
Bea PatiÃ±o, Director, Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion
Courtney Sledge, Senior Director, Stewardship and Donor Relations
Cherina Wright, JD/MBA '17, Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs

2025

2025 Celebration of Black Excellence

Friday, March 21, 2025
Hyatt Regency Boston
One Avenue de Lafayette
Boston, MA

Committee Members

Sarah Abdalla, Director, Alumni Relations
Jenkyn Attafah, President, African Student Association
Dipo Awogboro, MSA/MSF '18, Member, SUBAN
Tamela Bailey, JD '04, Trustee
Jennifer Blakely, MED '20, Chair, Suffolk Employees of Color Affinity Group; Assistant Director, Mildred Sawyer Library
Yolanda Burrell, MBA '18, Chair, SUBAN
Stacey Charlot, Treasurer, Black Law Student Association
Alex Ferreiras, BS '21, Assistant Director, Alumni Relations and Affinity Engagement
Ernst Guerrier, JD '94, Trustee
Hind Habbach, BA '09, Trustee
Caitlin Haughey, MED '96, Associate Vice President, Advancement Engagement and Alumni Relations
Danielle Johnson, JD '16 , Member, SUBAN; Law Lecturer
Jenny Joseph-Hayle, MPA '13, Member, SUBAN; SBS Alumni Board member; Associate Director, Center for Career Equity, Development & Success
Arantxa Melendez, BA '24, Administrative Coordinator, College of Arts & Sciences
Joyce Miller, BS '97, Member, SUBAN; Associate Director, Advancement Services
Symone Mond, President, Black Law Student Association
Bea Patiño, Director, Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion
Kayci Resende-Abbott, President, Black Student Union
Marjorie Salvodon, Associate Dean, College of Arts & Sciences; Professor, History, Language & Global Culture
Courtney Sledge, Senior Director, Stewardship and Donor Relations
Joyya Smith, Vice President, Diversity, Access, and Inclusion
Cherina Wright, JD/MBA'17, Assistant Vice President, Student Engagement and Inclusion