24/7 Community
Community & Equity
BAN joins BSA for Dinner, Camaraderie, and Networking
Mathematics teacher and Office of Community & Equity staff member Kiamani Wilson ’14 conceived of an idea to introduce Episcopal students to local Black alumni. Laying the groundwork for a successful networking opportunity, she envisioned the dinner as an affinity space for current Black students to learn from successful alumni who look like them.
On May 7, Wilson’s vision came to fruition when nine Black Alumni Network (BAN) members visited campus to enjoy dinner with the Black Student Alliance (BSA). The evening started with over 70 Black students and alumni gathering at The High School to enjoy dinner together.
While this was the inaugural BAN/BSA dinner, for the Class of 2023 it marked their final event as members of BSA. “The Class of 2023 is a special group,” Associate Director of College Counseling and co-advisor to BSA Warren Quirett said. “They have impacted and made history on this campus. They have left an indelible mark and we will miss them.”
As the sun set, the Student Center in Stewart Gym was full of laughs, cheers, and dancing as alumni shared words of advice, anecdotal stories of their time at Episcopal, and motivation to finish the school year strong. “As an alumna and board member, it was both moving and instructive to participate in the BSA and BAN dinner,” Lauren Marshall ’09 said. “Seeing the students feel so self-assured and comfortable in their own skin drove home how far we’ve come in both enrolling and nurturing a diverse student body that more closely resembles our country.”
