Ghana 2024

Exploring Ghana: A Journey of Culture, Collaboration, and Cross-Cultural Connections

This summer, a group of 14 MIT alumni and their guests embarked on a transformative 12-day journey to Ghana. The trip was more than just a cultural immersion—it was an opportunity to foster cross-cultural understanding, explore potential collaborations, and gain valuable insights that could enhance organizational strategies.

A Cultural and Educational Exploration

Our journey began in the bustling capital of Accra, where we dove headfirst into the vibrant culture and history of Ghana. Visits to iconic landmarks like the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum, the Presidential Palace, and the Kwame Nkrumah National Park and Mausoleum offered deep insights into the country’s rich heritage and the legacy of its leaders.

Engagement with educational institutions was a central focus of our trip. We visited local schools, conversed with students and administrators, and gained a profound understanding of Ghana’s educational landscape. These interactions laid the groundwork for potential partnerships and collaborations, particularly with Ghanaian MIT alumni eager to form a local BAMIT (Black Alumni of MIT) chapter.

Building Bridges and Memories

Throughout the trip, we had the privilege of networking with MIT alumni in the African diaspora, creating lasting memories while bridging cultural gaps. One of the most poignant moments was our visit to the Cape Coast, where we toured the historic Elmina Castle and Cape Coast Castle.

These fortresses, which once held enslaved people in dungeons before their forced journey across the Atlantic, served as powerful reminders of our shared history. A visit to the Assin Manso River, where enslaved people took their last “bath” before marching to Cape Coast, added an emotional depth to our experience.

Immersed in Tradition and Nature

Our journey took us beyond the cities and into the heart of Ghanaian tradition. In the city of Kumasi, we toured the prestigious Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, renowned for its cutting-edge research and academic excellence.

One of the trip’s highlights was a traditional naming ceremony in the village of Bonwire, famed for its Kente cloth weaving. Here, each of us received an African name, symbolizing our connection to the land and its people. We also embarked on a hike to a breathtaking waterfall, experiencing Ghana’s natural beauty up close.

Our adventure concluded at the serene Zaina Lodge, where we visited a local Muslim village and embarked on a safari. These final days were a fitting end to a trip filled with discovery, reflection, and the forging of new relationships.

A Future of Collaboration and Connection

The Ghana trip was a resounding success, achieving its primary objectives of fostering cross-cultural understanding, identifying collaboration opportunities, and enhancing organizational strategies. The connections made and the experiences shared will undoubtedly enrich BAMIT members and their guests, paving the way for future initiatives that bridge cultures and build lasting partnerships. As we look to the future, the formation of a Ghana BAMIT chapter seems not only possible but inevitable, fueled by the enthusiasm and commitment of the alumni we met along the way.

Class of 1974 Reunion

Back row: Ben Mallard, Gary Wilkes, Napoleon Nelson, Don Wesson, Gordon LaSane, Keith Killough, Sam Denard

Front row: Woodrow Whitlow, James Clark, Pat Tellis, Debra Jackson, Bill Black, Fred Sears

2024 Black Graduate Celebration

In support of the recruitment, development, and successful graduation of Black undergraduate and graduate students, BAMIT was proud to again sponsor the annual Black Graduate Celebration (BGC) on April 19, 2024. This year’s theme was Finding Courage in Community. The event was held in the Kirsch Auditorium and streamed live for family, friends, and alumni. Chaired by Devin Johnson ’22 and Patrice Langford ’95 & Parent ’24, and supported by members of the BAMIT Board (Patrick Gerdes ‘84, Chair), the BAMIT Program Committee (Debra Carlton ‘75, Chair), and Moana Bentin of the MIT Alumni Association, the BGC program was moving, inspiring, and fun.

Kaelyn Dunnell '25, Co-chair of the Black Students Union, opened the program and presided as MC. BAMIT Board member Rocklyn Clarke ‘80, gave the welcome on behalf of the BAMIT Board and invited the graduates to “engage and continue to have a powerful impact through BAMIT.”

Robert Wickham '93 SM '95, MIT Alumni Association President, welcomed the graduates to the MIT Global Alumni Network and wished them “the courage to go forth and tackle hard problems, to have an impact, and to shift the world on its axis.” Next, the Institute Message was delivered by MIT’s inaugural Vice President for Equity & Inclusion (VPEI) Karl Reid '84 SM '85. He implored the students to “stay connected to this community, stay connected to the Institute, and stay connected to your mission, your purpose, your meaning.”

After an interactive game of trivia, the audience heard from the undergraduate, graduate, and keynote speakers who were selected by the Class of 2024 graduates. Undergraduate Speaker Myles Noel '24 recalled how after starting their freshman year virtually, many students became heavily involved in campus orgs when they finally arrived on campus and “that molded us into leaders, leaders determined to rebuild our communities.” Myles also addressed the prefrosh in attendance and encouraged them to choose MIT for its community, sharing that “The Black community is what led me to choose MIT and honestly the Black community is also the reason why I have been able to overcome the many of the trials and tribulations faced over the past four years.”

Graduate Speaker Jaylen Hackett MBA '24 acknowledged the village of people who supported the students’ journeys to get to MIT and expressed his appreciation for the community he found at MIT upon leaving his village. His advice to the graduates as they go forward was to “Reject the notion of being okay with being the only one…Be a village for someone else…Find, create, and add community of yourself and others.”

After the student band Love and a Sandwich had the audience on their feet and dancing the electric slide, Andre Hamelberg '24, President MIT Undergraduate Association, introduced the Keynote Speaker, Kristala L. J. Prather ’94, Arthur Dehon Little Professor & Department Head, Chemical Engineering.

Professor Prather asked the graduates to share the things they remember the most fondly about MIT and what they want to be when they grow up / how they want to change the world. She commented on their responses in relation to community and courage, and shared a picture of her MIT community featuring herself and husband Darcy Prather ’91 on their wedding day, surrounded by MIT undergraduate students, graduate students, and staff members. She reflected on what her MIT community has done for her and for each other through the years as an example of what the 2024 graduates may look forward to with the MIT community they have created for themselves. Tying it all together, she thoughtfully concluded, “This is a celebration. It is about you and what you have accomplished as a student. But it is also about what you collectively have achieved. About the fellowship you have built. About the heights to which you will soar, lifted up by the unbreakable bonds of this community that you have both built and that you have inherited.”

Finally, in recognition of the waymakers that have shaped and molded the Black experience at MIT, a tribute was made to the Class of 1974 Black Alumni that are now joining the Cardinal & Gray Society, and the classes that came before them. After closing remarks by the BGC Co-Chairs, attendees continued the celebration outside the auditorium with a delicious dinner catered by Larry J’s BBQ Café.

And then it was time for the moment everyone had been waiting for – the graduates! Rocklyn Clarke ’80 read the names of each graduate as they were presented with a hand-woven, Kente stole embroidered with “MIT” and “Class of 2024.”

The entire event can be viewed using this link: Livestream of 2024 Black Graduate Celebration.

Photos Courtesy of Frankie Schulte ‘25

Connecting with the African Diaspora via Ghana

We did it!!  After several months of planning, organizing and recruitment, the BAMIT Travel Subcommittee under the auspices of the Board of Directors Program Committee led a group of twenty-nine BAMIT members and their guests on a sojourn through Ghana July 23 – August 3, 2023. The majority of the group selected the ten-day option during which we traveled across the country, beginning in Accra, through the traditional city of Kumasi, and ending with a two-day African safari in Mole National Park.

The group had the opportunity to visit and network with our MIT Ghanaian alumni brothers and sisters. Our BAMIT travelers and BAMIT Ghana hosts were able to share entrepreneurial endeavors in science and engineering, secondary and tertiary education, business, the arts, and government that demonstrated the strength and purpose of their MIT education.

Our experiences ranged from the awe of Jubilee House, the seat of Ghana’s government, to the history of W.E.B DuBois’ second home in Ghana, to our painful trek through the slave dungeons on the Cape Coast, to the joy of being “welcomed home” in a traditional naming ceremony.

Use this link to download the testimonials and additional pictures of our travel. Also, while visiting the Slave River, Samuel Nixon '77 represented the group for an interview on ATINKA TV in Ghana. See the video here.

Hopefully, you will be inspired to join us on our next planned BAMIT trips connecting us throughout the African Diaspora. We have spots available for our planned Ghana 2024 trip mid-July 2024 AND South Africa in 2025. Experience the leopards in Kruger or the mighty Victoria Falls!

Once registration opens, seats will fill quickly, so don’t delay.

Akwaaba BAMIT!    

Black Alumni Reception at MIT Tech Reunions 2023

The Reception for Black Alumni at Tech Reunions was fun, heartwarming, and inspiring. This event, sponsored yearly by BAMIT, created a space where alumni from different generations can connect, celebrate, and reflect on their journeys and the progress they have made over the years.

Walter Gibbons, Michael Fant, Lyman Alexander, Paula Waters and Curt Morrow

The presence of members from the class of 1973, celebrating their 50th reunion, added a wonderful sense of continuity and legacy to the event. ’73 members in attendance were Lyman Alexander, Elliott Border, Chris Davis, Darryl Dawson, Michael Fant, Sylvester (Jim) Gates, Walter Gibbons, Inez Hope, Beverly Dalrymple Morrow, Curtis Morrow, Robert Thomas and Paula Waters. They, along with members of earlier classes, Warren Shaw ’72, Ahmad Salih ’72 and Linda Sharpe ’68, who were also in attendance, represent a group of individuals whose achievements have undoubtedly paved the way for younger generations.

Their stories of their MIT experiences reminded us of the challenges they faced and their courage in overcoming those challenges. Their words of wisdom offered a unique perspective that can inspire current and recent graduates, helping them navigate their own paths and overcome challenges.

The anecdotes and memories shared during the event not only created a sense of camaraderie among the attendees but also highlighted the power of mentorship and the impact that alumni can have on the success of current students.

The event is a reminder that the BAMIT community is a supportive and nurturing one, where past and present members come together to uplift and empower each other.

Elliott Borden, Chris Davis, Darryl Dawson, Sylvester Jim Gates, Inez Hope, Robert Thomas

Overall, the Reception for Black Alumni during Tech Reunions serves as a beautiful reminder of the strength of the BAMIT community, the importance of representation, and the enduring impact of shared experiences. It was truly a celebration of achievements, dreams, and the collective journey towards success.

Also, Michael Fant was the featured speaker at the 1973 50th Class Reunion Dinner.