Tufts Black Alumni Newsletter

Winter 2026

Alumni Profiles

How wisdom gets passed on
‘How Wisdom Gets Passed On’
Alumni who help guide students through a Tufts mentoring program get back as much as they give.
Rachel Oriuwa
Rachel Oriuwa’s Guide to Neurodiverse Dating
The community health student wants to make it easier for marginalized people to find connection.
Allan Rohan Crite art
The Quiet Radical Who Painted Black Life in Boston
Three exhibits celebrate the legacy of School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University alum Allan Rohan Crite, a mentor to artists and activists.

On Campus

Yvonne and Charles Maddox
A Commitment to Future Leaders in Nutrition Science
Foundation supports summer research at the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.
image of Cayla Brown, A17
How an Alumni-Funded Internship Paved Cayla’s Path to Law
“Because of the Bruce-Griffey Fund, I could give my all to the internship—going to courtrooms, visiting clients, and learning about the criminal justice system first-hand.”
Maurice Emmanuel Parent
Becoming Martin Luther King Jr.
How a Tufts professor deepened his appreciation of the civil rights leader by directing and acting in a play about King’s life.
Voters
Secular Voters and a Growing Rift in the Democratic Party
Making up a growing wing of liberals, they split on cultural issues with Black Democratic voters, a political scientist says.
Trey Lawrence
‘I Just Want to Push Myself to Be Better’
A member of the men’s step team on the benefits of exploring activities outside of one’s comfort zone.

Initiatives

SQUAD group photo
Jumbo Alumni Service Month
This April, join Tufts alumni in a series of events built on community, connection, and hands-on impact. In cities across the globe, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with fellow Tufts alumni, do meaningful volunteer work in your community, and celebrate the time-honored Tufts tradition of giving back. Ready to roll up your sleeves and get involved? Submit a project by February 28 . If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Shaul .
SQUAD (Students' Quest for Unity in the African Diaspora)
A popular five-day student-led pre-orientation program, SQUAD helps incoming students foster community, celebrate cultural identity and prepares students for life at Tufts. For many students, SQUAD is their first experience of feeling seen, supported, and at home on campus.

Get Involved

Join us for the Africana Center Stole Ceremony
Friday, May 15, 5:00 pm.
Distler Performance Hall
20 Talbot Ave
Medford, MA
This signature rite of passage ceremony allows for reflections and celebration as students are welcomed into the Tufts Black Alumni Association.
Black Alumni and Third Day Gospel Choir Celebration
30th–70th reunions
Saturday, May 16, 2:00–5:00 p.m.
Join us for a lively gathering and celebration during Tufts Reunions.
Black Alumni and Third Day Gospel Choir Gathering
1st–25th reunions
Saturday, May 30, 3:00–4:00 p.m.
Reconnect with fellow alumni at Capen House.
Tufts Travel-Learn
Travel with Tufts for a world of experience. Join our faculty hosts with expertise in the arts for these upcoming Travel-Learn trips, and browse our full list of trips online. Contact Mary Ann Hunt, director of lifelong learning programs, with any questions (617-627-6033, Mary_Ann.Hunt@tufts.edu).
Upcoming Trips
 
  • Scottish Highlands and Caledonian Canal
    June 26–July 7, 2026
    Faculty host Chris Swan
     
  • Baltic Sea Treasures: From Helsinki to Copenhagen
    August 3–10, 2026
    Faculty host Greg Carleton
     
  • El Camino de Santiago: A Walking Tour in Northern Spain
    October 30–November 11, 2026
    Faculty host Heather D. Curtis
The Herd
Access the endless possibilities of the Jumbo network worldwide! Tufts’ online career community, The Herd, connects arts, sciences, and engineering alumni and students for conversations, networking, mentoring, job shadowing, and other professional development activities. Joining The Herd is a rewarding way to give back—and an exciting opportunity to help mentor the next generation of Jumbos.
Party In Style With #JumboBox
Upgrade your next alumni hangout with a #JumboBox of Tufts swag delivered straight to your doorstep! Each box is packed with a variety of Tufts-themed goodies for you and your fellow alumni to enjoy together—whether you're hosting a reunion, planning a watch party, or just catching up with old friends. It’s a fun and easy way to celebrate your Jumbo pride and strengthen alumni connections—and the best part is, it’s completely FREE.
Volunteer With Tufts
Make a difference on campus or closer to home. There are many ways you can get involved as a Tufts alum.
Give to the Africana Center
Giving to the Africana Center ensures its continued vibrancy as a hub for learning, shared experiences, mutual support, and celebration of cultures within the African Diaspora. Gifts of any size help support first-year orientation programs, growth of student organizations, professional development and mentoring opportunities, enhancements to Capen House, and signature programs that build community and connection between students, alumni, and the campus community.

Any gift made through our pre-filled online giving form directly supports Africana Center programming and initiatives, and earmarking your gift is also possible using any of the other ways to give to Tufts.

For questions or information about specific giving opportunities, contact Stephen Barber, associate director of development, School of Arts and Sciences, at stephen.barber@tufts.edu.
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Tufts University - Office of Alumni Engagement
The Africana Center
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