Submitted by ALEXIA MCKAY | FLORIDA COURIER
(Source Daytona Times)
From voting rights activist Stacey Abrams to actress Keshia Knight Pulliam, Spelman College has no shortage of esteemed alumni that has passed through its gates. And now a Florida alumni chapter is hoping to continue that legacy and pave the way for the next generation of women trailblazers.
This month, the Tampa Bay Area Chapter of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College (NAASC) is hosting its Spelman Blue Back on the Greens – TopGolf Scholarship Fundraiser. The annual signature fundraiser aims to raise scholarship funds for current Spelman College students.
Over the past four years, approximately $43,000 has been raised for students since the scholarship program’s initiation in 2020.
NAASC chapter president and 1997 alumna Andrea Thompson told the Florida Courier that it’s important to support incoming and current students.
“The ability to provide financial assistance and moral support is crucial,” Thompson said. “Our sisterhood is a strong motivator and to continue the tradition of exposing the younger generation to HBCUs [historically Black colleges and universities] and our beloved alma mater.”
Alum grateful for financial support
Other Tampa area Spelman alumna echo Thompson’s thoughts.
Brenna Fields Hayes is a project manager in Tampa and a 1990 graduate. She credits financial outreach such as the chapter’s scholarship program as a major support system during her time on campus.
“I recognize that the alumnae before me who gave back to Spelman enabled me to receive a partial scholarship to fund my education,” Hayes said. “I am eternally grateful to them for the seeds they planted into our alma mater for future generations.”
Aaliyyah Dyani, a graduate admissions counselor, realtor and entrepreneur, has attended the fundraiser in the past and is a first-generation college student. She told the Courier that she went to Spelman with over $20,000 in local scholarships thanks to the help of her scholarship coordinators and understands and values the impact such financial support offers.
“Because of their support and my drive, I was able to graduate Spelman with less than one year’s worth of debt,” said Dyani, a 2017 graduate.
Since graduating, she has served on the local alumni chapter’s scholarship committee and was influential in creating the chapter’s book scholarship and the Anna Ivery Legacy Humanitarian Scholarship, named in honor of one of Spelman’s founding members.
Dyani added, “As an alumna, I believe that alumni giving is one of the strongest ways to contribute to the sustainability of HBCUs. I want to ensure that future generations have the same or more access to the opportunities I did.”
Paying homage to women in sports
The fundraiser also will honor Tampa area trailblazing women in sports. The following honorees are all HBCU graduates: East Bay High School Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Kaela Crowell (Spelman); Clemmie Perry (Florida A&M University,) founder and president of Women of Color Golf; and ESPN commentator Tiffany Greene (Florida A&M).
“It is even more significant because women’s sports are receiving the recognition they deserve,” said Thompson about the honorees. “With the WNBA and women being the top medal winners at the 2024 Olympics, the timing is perfect.”
Spelman Blue Back on the Greens takes place on Sept. 22 at Top Golf on Palm River Road in Tampa. Tickets start at $75. Sponsorships start at $550.
To purchase tickets and learn more about the fundraiser go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spelman-blue-back-on-the-green-golf-tournament-scholarship-fundraiser-tickets-896381058877
