Olivia Bernard
Olivia Bernard
Rooted at Spelman: Stacey Abrams Kicks Off the Alumnae Speaker Series
Rooted at Spelman: Stacey Abrams Kicks Off the Alumnae Speaker Series
Last Thursday, in a visit organized by Spelman Student Government Association (SGA) and Miss Spelman Advisory Board (MSAB), politician, activist and entrepreneur Stacey Abrams returned to Sisters Chapel last Tuesday as a first guest speaker for a special convocation, commencing the Spelman Alumnae Speaker Series.
The Fair Fight Action, Fair Count, American Pride Rises Network and Southern Economic Advancement Project founder began by telling the audience of visionary Spelmanites how much her time at Spelman shaped her path to public service. As the first Black woman in U.S. history to be a major party’s nominee for governor. Abrams was one of the first students to obtain a degree in Interdisciplinary studies as an independent major.
“I wanted to understand how the systems worked, who they affected and how they were funded — so I created an Interdisciplinary Studies major with political science, sociology and economics,” Abrams said.
During the assembly, Abrams spoke to students about the importance of civic engagement and a Spelman education, encouraging students to remain active, informed and committed to using their knowledge and experiences to drive meaningful change.
“When I come back to this campus it is not just a full circle moment, it is the reminder of why I was here, and it was the cementing of what I could do when I left,” Abrams said.
She credited former professors Dr. Cynthia Spence, Dr. Fatemeh Shafiei, Dr. Desiree Pedescleaux and Dr. Joyce Johnson, some of whom watched from the audience, for sparking her interest in a multitude of studies, from international policy and how it informs the Spelman community to music, culture and politics.
Just weeks shy of student government campaign season, Abrams also recounted her experience as a student leader through her elected roles as SGA Vice President and President on campus, so much of which would influence her leadership as a politician. During her time at Spelman, she organized a protest against Rodney King's verdict, and advocated for LGBTQ+ students.
The visit also included the attendance and an introduction from Spelman Alumna and Board member Sherina Maye Edwards, who had a great deal in organizing the event. As a Spelman alumna herself, facilitating the series was incredibly important to her.
In order to gauge what kind of event would be most beneficial for students, Edwards met with interim President Roz Brewer, the Office of Alumni Engagement and Dr. Andrea Lewis, Student Success Program (SSP) director and associate professor of education at Spelman College, to lead the charge to bring more alumni to campus.
The role of a trustee at Spelman is one of great importance. The Board of Trustees offers strategic oversight to the College, utilizing its members’ diverse expertise in across fields like finance, international relations, philanthropy and the sciences.
The Student Success Program team were also in attendance at Thursday's event, including the director and Spelman Alumna Dr. Andrea Lewis, who supported Trustee Edwards in bringing her idea to life. The Student Success office, located in Milligan, provides academic support services designed to help students enhance their productivity and achieve their full potential.
“Success is not just about academics, but ensuring students have the internal motivation to continue with their Spelman experience in an undaunted way, shepherded by the fact that our staff and faculty see them and want them to succeed,” Lewis said.
The politician concluded her visit by taking questions from students on resilience, rest and navigating unprecedented times. She highlighted her experience running for Governor of Georgia in 2018 and 2022, and emphasized learning lessons instead of losses.
“When you are in a system that is not designed for you, overcoming that system is revolution. Revolution can’t be everyday, and so often, what we have to do is make progress,” Abrams said.
For students like Nyree Crowell, a Sophomore Political Science major, the visit left a lasting impression.
“Events like these are vital to us as Spelmanites especially in this current political climate. It allows us to visualize ourselves growing and impacting political systems while remaining true to our roots. It gives us hope that we too can join the fight,” Crowell said.
Registered student organizations, faculty and trustees alike hope the speaker series will inspire the next generation of leaders that make up the institution, emerging from the same classrooms that have shaped leaders, innovators and change makers across industries.
Last Thursday, in a visit organized by Spelman Student Government Association (SGA) and Miss Spelman Advisory Board (MSAB), politician, activist and entrepreneur Stacey Abrams returned to Sisters Chapel last Tuesday as a first guest speaker for a special convocation, commencing the Spelman Alumnae Speaker Series.
The Fair Fight Action, Fair Count, American Pride Rises Network and Southern Economic Advancement Project founder began by telling the audience of visionary Spelmanites how much her time at Spelman shaped her path to public service. As the first Black woman in U.S. history to be a major party’s nominee for governor. Abrams was one of the first students to obtain a degree in Interdisciplinary studies as an independent major.
“I wanted to understand how the systems worked, who they affected and how they were funded — so I created an Interdisciplinary Studies major with political science, sociology and economics,” Abrams said.
During the assembly, Abrams spoke to students about the importance of civic engagement and a Spelman education, encouraging students to remain active, informed and committed to using their knowledge and experiences to drive meaningful change.
“When I come back to this campus it is not just a full circle moment, it is the reminder of why I was here, and it was the cementing of what I could do when I left,” Abrams said.
She credited former professors Dr. Cynthia Spence, Dr. Fatemeh Shafiei, Dr. Desiree Pedescleaux and Dr. Joyce Johnson, some of whom watched from the audience, for sparking her interest in a multitude of studies, from international policy and how it informs the Spelman community to music, culture and politics.
Just weeks shy of student government campaign season, Abrams also recounted her experience as a student leader through her elected roles as SGA Vice President and President on campus, so much of which would influence her leadership as a politician. During her time at Spelman, she organized a protest against Rodney King's verdict, and advocated for LGBTQ+ students.
The visit also included the attendance and an introduction from Spelman Alumna and Board member Sherina Maye Edwards, who had a great deal in organizing the event. As a Spelman alumna herself, facilitating the series was incredibly important to her.
In order to gauge what kind of event would be most beneficial for students, Edwards met with interim President Roz Brewer, the Office of Alumni Engagement and Dr. Andrea Lewis, Student Success Program (SSP) director and associate professor of education at Spelman College, to lead the charge to bring more alumni to campus.
The role of a trustee at Spelman is one of great importance. The Board of Trustees offers strategic oversight to the College, utilizing its members’ diverse expertise in across fields like finance, international relations, philanthropy and the sciences.
The Student Success Program team were also in attendance at Thursday's event, including the director and Spelman Alumna Dr. Andrea Lewis, who supported Trustee Edwards in bringing her idea to life. The Student Success office, located in Milligan, provides academic support services designed to help students enhance their productivity and achieve their full potential.
“Success is not just about academics, but ensuring students have the internal motivation to continue with their Spelman experience in an undaunted way, shepherded by the fact that our staff and faculty see them and want them to succeed,” Lewis said.
The politician concluded her visit by taking questions from students on resilience, rest and navigating unprecedented times. She highlighted her experience running for Governor of Georgia in 2018 and 2022, and emphasized learning lessons instead of losses.
“When you are in a system that is not designed for you, overcoming that system is revolution. Revolution can’t be everyday, and so often, what we have to do is make progress,” Abrams said.
For students like Nyree Crowell, a Sophomore Political Science major, the visit left a lasting impression.
“Events like these are vital to us as Spelmanites especially in this current political climate. It allows us to visualize ourselves growing and impacting political systems while remaining true to our roots. It gives us hope that we too can join the fight,” Crowell said.
Registered student organizations, faculty and trustees alike hope the speaker series will inspire the next generation of leaders that make up the institution, emerging from the same classrooms that have shaped leaders, innovators and change makers across industries.