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Last month, UMass Boston鈥檚 Black Student Center hosted a powerful Black History Month alumni panel, bringing together students, alumni, faculty, and staff to reflect, connect, and celebrate the resilience and achievements of the university鈥檚 Black community.

Last month, UMass Boston’s Black Student Center hosted a powerful Black History Month alumni panel, bringing together students, alumni, faculty, and staff to reflect, connect, and celebrate the resilience and achievements of the university’s Black community.

Dr. Calvin Hill, Vice Chancellor for Inclusive Excellence and Belonging, kicked off the evening by welcoming attendees and reflecting on the lasting connections formed at UMass Boston.

“People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime,” Hill said. “Tonight, I hope we’re here as individuals ready to engage—as alums and future alums—for a reason, a season, and a lifetime.”

Hill also touched on ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive, connected campus, from launching a new website and social media presence to collaborating with campus partners to weave inclusive excellence into university programs.

Dr. Michael Johnson, Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Black Life, followed with a thoughtful reflection on the roots of Black History Month, honoring Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s legacy. Johnson, whose role was created in 2020 to support the well-being of Black students, faculty, and staff, shared his vision for a Black Alumni Advisory Council — a group he hopes will build lasting connections between students and alumni.

The evening featured an inspiring panel of UMass Boston alumni:

• Ron Taylor ’98, a retired DEI executive
• Rontear Pendleton ’02, Deputy 天美传媒 in the Massachusetts 天美传媒’s Office
• Kent Benjamin ’88, founder of Alpha Life Skills Academy and retired director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA]

Each panelist spoke openly about their journeys, touching on the lessons they learned and obstacles they faced, as well as ways UMass Boston shaped their paths.

Pendleton, who began her criminal justice studies at UMass Boston, credited the university’s diverse coursework and the National Student Exchange Program, which allowed her to spend a year at Grambling State University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) located in Grambling, Louisiana, for broadening her perspective.

“I have to remind myself that I belong here,” she said. “I’ve done the work, I’ve built the skill set, and I surround myself with people who support me.”

Taylor described his unconventional UMass Boston journey, leaving the university after one semester, working for over a decade, and returning with a new sense of purpose. He spoke about how joining the National Association of Black Accountants helped him break into corporate accounting and eventually transition into DEI leadership roles.

“I’ve never been ashamed of being Black,” Taylor said. “I bring my Blackness into those rooms: It’s who I am.”

Benjamin reflected on his career in environmental justice at the U.S. EPA, often finding himself the only Black person in the room. He emphasized the importance of perseverance and lifelong learning.

“If you develop your skill set, keep learning, and build your community, you don’t need to worry about what’s going to happen, because you don’t know what you’re preparing for. You just keep preparing.”

Resilience emerged as the core message of the evening. Each alumni panelist shared stories of navigating microaggressions, pushing through stereotypes, and rising above adversity. They left students with a powerful reminder: the challenges they face aren’t barriers: They’re building blocks, shaping them into stronger, more capable versions of themselves.

“Celebrate your successes, no matter how big or small,” Taylor encouraged. “That’s what will keep you going.”