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Black Alumni Association

Saint Louis University’s Black Alumni Association fosters relationships and involvement among black alumni and minority students at SLU. Members also form connections with our black faculty and staff.

BAA

Formed in 1984, the BAA celebrates the accomplishments of SLU’s black alumni and students through fundraising, mentoring and fostering University-wide diversity outreach and awareness initiatives. Additionally, the BAA assists the University in its recruitment and retention efforts of minority students, helping to create a student population that is racially and ethnically diverse.

The Black Alumni Association hosts social, educational and networking events throughout the year.

BAA Scholarships

The Black Alumni Association supports current students via two scholarships. 

Pioneers of Inclusion Scholarship

Established in 2014 by the Black Alumni Association to mark the 70th anniversary of integration at SLU, the Pioneers of Inclusion Endowed Scholarship recognizes the strength and courage of the men and women who became the first black students at the University in 1944. The scholarship honors their legacy by supporting a high-achieving, first-generation college student from a historically underrepresented population in U.S. higher education.

Make a contribution to this scholarship to ensure its recipients’ continued success at SLU. 

Support this scholarship

Dr. Celerstine Briggs Johnson Book Fund

For more than three decades, Dr. Celerstine Johnson was dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for all students, especially those underrepresented in higher education. Her 30 years of service to SLU culminated in her role as associate vice provost for enrollment management.

The book fund is open to full-time undergraduate students in any major who are enrolled in one of the collegiate Trio Programs at Saint Louis University, are in good academic standing with the University and demonstrate a financial need. 

Funds for the Dr. Celerstine Briggs Johnson Book Fund are raised through individual gifts as well as revenue from various events. All gifts, regardless of the amount, will help students gain access to necessary educational tools. 

Support this scholarship

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Join the Board

The Black Alumni Association (BAA) is looking for alumni volunteers with skills in marketing and communications, planning and development, and finance to serve on its board.

If you are interested in joining, or know someone who is interested, contact alumni@slu.edu.

Interested in making a gift?

Give Now

The Black Alumni Association 2021-2022 Board

The 2021-22 Black Alumni Association Board poses for a group photo in Bannister Alumni House on SLU's north campus.

Executive Board

President
Kiara Webber (CSB ’07)
kiarawebber@gmail.com

Ex-Officio
Dr. Celerstine Johnson (A&S '84)
johnsoncb@sbcglobal.net

2021–2022 Board Members

  • Ornella Balley (A&S ’16)
  • Ashley Bankston (DCHS '18)
  • Annette Fields (Grad Ed ’14)
  • Melissa Hamilton (A&S ’02, Grad A&S ’06)
  • Amy Haymore (DCHS ’10)
  • Lydia Huston (PS '18)
  • Joshua Johnson (PS '21)
  • Michael F. Jones II, Ph.D. (Ed '16)
  • Luella Loseille (A&S '17, '19)
  • Wade Mayham (A&S ’86, Grad A&S ’00)
  • MaShyllia G. Minor (Grad A&S '01)
  • Glenda Nelson (A&S ’19)
  • Brittani Nelson (PH '21)
  • Denise Pearson (PS ’16)
  • LaVerne Robinson (PS ’99, Grad PS ’05)
  • Christian Shields-Cunningham  (Grad SW '20)
  • Deanne Sleet (A&S ’17)
  • Alice Stanley (CSB ’74)
  • Marissa Williams-Winfield (Grad Ed '20)