Feb ’26 Newsletter

Dear YBAA Community,

As we continue to build and strengthen our network this year, I am thrilled to officially invite you to our State of YBAA Virtual General Body Meeting on March 16 at 8PM EST / 5PM PST.

This gathering is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together as a national community. During the meeting, we will share exciting updates from our national committee chairs and chapter leaders, highlight new ways for you to get involved, and open the floor for Q&A. Just as importantly, we want to ensure we are building real connections—so we have dedicated time for breakout rooms where you can directly meet and talk with fellow Black Yalies.

Please note that registration is required, and you will have the opportunity to submit questions in advance when you sign up. We will record the presentation portions of the meeting to share with everyone afterward.

For our international alumni (and any others unable to attend our first session), we recognize the time difference challenge and have scheduled a separate virtual gathering on March 23 at 6PM GMT / 1PM EST. Since you’ll have access to the recorded presentations, this meeting will focus specifically on Q&A and networking in breakout rooms.

I also want to express how incredibly excited we are about the successful launch of our YBAA WhatsApp community! We already have over 800 members connecting across more than 40 channels dedicated to local chapters, professions, and special interest groups. Moving forward, WhatsApp will continue to serve as a primary platform for frequent updates on events such as these, as well as real-time community engagement.

Warmly,

Ivuoma “Ivy” Onyeador, SY ‘11 YBAA National President

Registration Links

• YBAA Virtual General Meeting #1, March 16 at 8PM EST: Register via Zoom
• YBAA Virtual General Meeting #2, March 23 at 6PM GMT: Register via Zoom

Chicago Celebrates Celeste Bagley & Hosts BHM Mixer

Chicago Black Alumni Mixer

YBAA Chicago partnered with the alumni associations from Harvard, Northwestern, and UChicago for a fantastic Black History Month mixer.

Pictured: Cordera Woodard ‘11, Nigel Tann ‘11, Thuto Thule PhD ‘20, Ugonna Nwakudu ‘23, Marc-Henry Dorval ‘22, Ivy Onyeador ‘11.

Restaurant Week & 70th Birthday

YBAA members dined together at Ina Mae Tavern during Chicago Restaurant Week and celebrated the 70th birthday of Celeste Bagley ‘78!

Pictured: Ivy Onyeador ‘11, Celeste Bagley ‘78, Christine Saffold ‘11, Marc-Henry Dorval ‘22, Cunyon Gordon ‘73.

DMV Chapter Celebrates BHM With Buzzer Beater

Thank you to everyone who came out for the DMV Book Talk on Race, Education, and Planning, given by Amber N. Wiley '03 and moderated by Suzanne Anthony '03. We also had a great time at the basketball game, where Yale beat Howard in OT 87-81 after an amazing buzzer-beater!

NYC Invites You to BHM Happy Hour

Join the YBAA New York Chapter for a vibrant Black History Month Happy Hour! Located at a Black-owned restaurant - The SE7EN - reserved exclusively for us, this gathering is all about bringing our community together. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with familiar faces or meet fellow alumni and friends for the first time, it’s an opportunity to unwind after the workday and strengthen relationships across YBAA.

To help us ensure an accurate headcount and the best possible experience for everyone, please be sure to RSVP in advance. Spread the word and come ready to celebrate with us—we look forward to sharing an evening of connection, laughter, and meaningful community at The SE7EN.

• Date: Thursday, February 26th
• Time: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
• Location: The SE7EN | 677 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
• RSVP: Click here

Community Service Opportunity in LA

With the leadership efforts of Kenneth Davis (Div. ’95), YBAA-LA is excited to again support this community service meal-packing event. As part of the 3rd Annual Feed My Starving Children MobilePack, 900 volunteers from across LA will pack 132,000 meals. Volunteers will assemble food packets to be distributed by FMSC to malnourished children in over 60 countries.

Registration is now open and filling up fast! Several YBAA-LA members will be volunteering for the Sunday 3/22 12:00pm - 2:00pm time slot, but you’re welcome to sign up for whatever time works best for you. Children 5 and older are welcome!

• Date: March 19-22, 2026 (Various time slots available)
• Location: 1211 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91202
• Registration: LINK
• Contact: KarenRJosephson@gmail.com for general information.

Join YBAA Houston for a Mixer

Join us March 7th on the campus of Project Row Houses in Houston for a mixer to meet other Yale Black Alumni Association members. Our event will coincide with PRH's art exhibition opening block party, and I hope you'll stick around. Drinks and light bites will be provided.

This is also the day after Black Heritage Night at the Houston Rodeo, so make a weekend out of it! This event is hosted by Jaison Oliver (YC '10) and the Third Ward Cultural District.

• RSVP: Link Here
• Contact: Jaison Oliver at jaison.oliver@gmail.com

YBAA Boston Invites You to Dinner

On February 27th at 7:30pm, YBAA Boston will be connecting, reflecting, and celebrating our history with African cuisine from Suya Joint Boston! Known as the “keeper of culture,” it is the perfect spot to close out BHM while looking ahead to what we’re building. If you’re local or in the area, we hope to see you! Please RSVP at this link.

• To join YBAA Boston officially, follow this link
• To stay connected in real time, join our WhatsApp channel

Questions or just want to connect directly? Feel free to email Chapter Lead, Nnenna Ukwu ’05, at nnenna.ukwu@aya.yale.edu anytime.