June 1: President Campbell Invites Community to Reflect and Discuss Unrest

President Campbell Invites Community to Reflect and Discuss Unrest
In the wake of protests throughout the country, Spelman College President Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., highlighted societal injustices and shared her perspectives to encourage conversation with students, faculty, staff and parents in a series of letters to the community. “Understandably, we are grieving and angry. I challenge us now to let our grief and anger turn into determination,” Dr. Campbell wrote on Sunday, May 31. “I challenge us to remember that in choosing Spelman, we have chosen a special place with a singular history.” In a separate letter, Dr. Campbell addressed the unlawful detention of a Spelman and Morehouse College student by the Atlanta Police Department on Saturday, May 30. “What the protesters are protesting is exactly this kind of unacceptable behavior — and that is the disregard, disrespect and aggression that seems to make stalking Black citizens, rather than protecting them, the goal of law enforcement,” Dr. Campbell wrote. “Atlanta prides itself on being an urban leader. This is an opportunity for leadership.” Dr. Campbell also joined the presidents of the Atlanta University Center Consortium in a letter supporting AUC students and other young activists who planned a peaceful rally in response to the arrest. A critical aspect of the mission of the AUC schools "is to disseminate knowledge as catalysts for positive social change," the presidents wrote. "Our institutions support the peaceful raising of voices highlighting the injustices of systemic racism and for being a part of the design and implementation of solutions that will bring about this change."

Good Morning America and The Undefeated Feature Spelman Valedictorian
Kendra Grissom, valedictorian of Spelman’s graduating class of 2020, delivered an inspirational message during a virtual celebration held to honor graduates of historically Black colleges and universities. The Undefeated “HBCU Day,” featured a collection of congratulatory videos, inspirational messages and content developed in praise of this year’s HBCU graduates. The program included messages from prominent African Americans, including former President Barack Obama, Senator Kamala Harris, actors Anthony Anderson and Trevor Jackson, Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith and actress and Spelman alumna Zuri Adele, C’2012. Grissom was also featured as part of ABC News’ Good Morning America 2020 graduates tribute.

Town Hall Slated to Discuss COVID-19 Prevention and the Media
Spelman will host a Zoom-based town hall focused on COVID-19 and the Black community at 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 3. The event, "Doctors for Deliberate Survival: Race, Access to Care and What You Need to Know," sponsored by the Department of Environmental and Health Sciences and the Ethel Waddell Githii Honors Program, will provide expert insight on how COVID-19 is impacting the Black community from a medical standpoint. "The outcome of this pandemic is not inevitable and so we definitely want to be on the side of informing and educating black people about Covid-19 for the sake of our survival," said Michelle Hite, Ph.D., director of the Ethel Waddell Githii Honors Program. Confirmed participants include Dr. Monique Lee, C’96, primary care and adult medicine physician; Dr. Carmen McGee, obstetrician and gynecologist; Dr. Chantale Branson, assistant professor of neurology at Morehouse School of Medicine; and Dr. Zandraetta Tims-Cook, C’92, infectious disease specialist.

Forty 2020 Graduates Receive WEL Certificates
Forty members of the graduating class of 2020 received certificates from Spelman’s Women of Excellence Leadership Series, a seven-week leadership course for seniors and juniors. Students involved in the program experience personal development and professional training from national experts, noted faculty and prominent corporate partners. Nia Page, an international studies major and the 2020 president of the Spelman Student Government Association; Tangela Mitchell, a political science major and the 2019-2020 Miss Spelman; and Cendal Atkins, a mathematics major and member of the Top 10 of the graduating class, were among those who received certificates.

Alumna Set for First Season as a Company Member of the Children’s Theatre Company
Rajané Katurah Brown, C’2017, is thrilled to begin her first season as a member of the Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Following her graduation from Spelman, Brown relocated to take on an apprenticeship with the company. A former drama major and Spanish minor, Brown has also trained at the British American Drama Academy in London. Last year she played the roles of Gran and Von Goo in Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax” at the Children’s Theatre Company. Her theater credits include “Born for This: The BeBe Winans Story” at the Alliance Theatre, “The Wiz” at the Children’s Theatre Company and Penumbra Theatre, and “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When The Rainbow Is Enuf” at the Penumbra Theatre.