University of Louisville African-American Alumni Council

More from Bourbon City Blues

"We are very excited to see you all for Bourbon City Blues Thursday October 26th, 2023 showcasing Black-owned spirit companies. Thank you to everyone who registered. Come ready to mix and mingle and taste some delicious spirits!"

Homecoming is right around the corner! We hope everyone is able to come out this year and enjoy some great events that have been put together for the Black Alumni Summit.

We are excited to share that AAAC will be hosting our “Cardinal Conversation” event with Lee Gill, J.D. for a virtual candid conversation to discuss how the university is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment for the campus community. We look forward to seeing you there!

Registration Link: http://uoflalumni.org/black-alumni-summit

We'd like to introduce one of AAAC's Council Members for this year - Holland Hawkins

Holland is a Class of 2011 graduate from the University of Louisville where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics as a Woodford R. Porter Scholar. After graduating, Holland went on to attend law school at Loyola University of Chicago School of Law in Chicago, Illinois.

Holland currently practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina for an international law firm, Seyfarth Shaw LLP. Holland’s legal practice focuses on representing sophisticated financial institutions in the origination, modification, and servicing of multimillion-dollar commercial loan transactions involving commercial properties around the country. She also spends her time mentoring and advocating for diversity within the legal profession.

We'd like to introduce one of AAAC's Council Members for this year - Sara Awadallah

Sara was born and raised in Egypt, grew up in Louisville, KY, but now calls Dallas home.

She received her Bachelors of Science in Industrial Engineering (2008), as well as her Masters in Engineering Management (2018) from the University of Louisville. She has over 15 years of International and U.S. operations and engineering experience in manufacturing, Food & Beverage, and franchising having worked for several fortune 500 companies.

Sara is a systems engineer at heart and has played a key role in her current and previous positions in architecting, scaling, and implementing manufacturing and restaurant system. She is driven by a passion for making the work easier and more efficient. She is currently leading Strategic Partnerships for Yum! Global Franchising Office, where one of her key responsibilities is the partnership between Yum! and the UofL Business School Franchising Department. She also leads the Mosaic, multicultural under-represented employee resource group, which includes various Yum Brands’ employees from the Pizza Hut US, Pizza Hut Global, and KFC Global divisions, in Plano.

In 2022, she looks forward to supporting the AAAC as a board member to bring more events to life for our students and to continue to give back to her beloved alma mater.

We'd like to introduce one of AAAC's Council Members for this year - Jonathan Hughes

Jonathan is a Higher Education professional with over 5 years of higher education experience in recruitment and student success.

A graduate from the University of Louisville with an M.A. in Education Administration, where he held the student position of president for the School of Education. He is currently working towards his Ph.D. in higher education administration at the University of Louisville.

Jonathan has presented research at the regional and national level with a focus on students of color and low socioeconomic status, access, student success, and organizational leadership. He began his professional career as a graduate assistant for REACH academic services, followed by a stint with the Cardinal Covenant program and undergraduate office of admissions.

Jonathan began working full-time for the undergraduate office of admissions in 2013 as an academic counselor, afterward, transitioned to the JB Speed School of Engineering as the assistant director of admissions from 2015 to July 2019 and is now the Director of Admissions.

We’d like to introduce one of AAAC’s Council Members for this year - Courtney Givens

Courtney is a Sr. People Partner for CNN based in Atlanta, GA. She's a proud two-time graduate of the University of Louisville earning her Bachelors in Communication (BS '09) and Masters in Human Resource Education (MS '11). Helping people is her passion, and she spends some of her free-time providing HR consulting services- helping to prepare prospective candidates for their next opportunity.

A most recent accomplishment she's proud of is partnering with friends from her hometown of Danville, KY, to assist in bringing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion opportunities to the forefront in the city. As a member of the African-American Alumni council, she's most excited about the council connecting with UofL's global black alumni community and creating engaging, accessible programming.

We'd like to introduce one of AAAC's Council Members for this year - Torrence Williams

Torrence was born and raised in Louisville, KY. He grew up in Smoketown and graduated from DuPont Manual High School (Go Crimsons!). Torrence graduated from the University of Louisville in 2011 with my Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. Last year he was selected as a member of the Louisville 40 under 40 class and he completed the New Leaders Council Fellowship.

His passion is serving his community and removing barriers to success for low-income youth. Torrence serves on the Board of Directors for the Nativity Academy and Educational Justice as well as the Operations Committee for Big Brothers Big Sisters. These organizations are doing important work in our community!

Torrence has over a decade of experience in the Manufacturing industry and currently leads the Sales team for Pico MES. Pico MES is a manufacturing software company that is empowering plants to increase efficiency, eliminate mistakes, and achieve traceability by harnessing the power of data and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

In addition to this, Torrence also has a podcast called "Let's Get Uncomfortable"! He approaches difficult subjects involving Race and Class by exploring different perspectives through various guests. The intent is to encourage open minds and understanding in the face of division in the hopes that we can all have necessary tough conversations in the future.

Torrence is excited to see the African -American Alumni Council connect with current students in 2022! He is looking forward to learning, mentoring, and helping us all uplift each other.

We’d like to introduce one of AAAC’s Council Members for this year - J’Nora Anderson

J'Nora McCutchen-Anderson was born and raised in Franklin, KY which is where she currently resides with my family. J’Nora’s accomplishments speak for themselves. She is a 2008 and 2015 graduate of the University of Louisville who obtained a Bachelor of Sciences, Degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Science Degree in Special Education. She obtained her Educational Specialist Degree in Instructional Leadership from the University of the Cumberlands, Principal Certification from Western Kentucky University and is currently working on her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Western Kentucky University.

Currently, she serves as the Outreach and Opportunities Coordinator for Simpson County Schools where she works to connect our students and families to opportunities to ensure they have equitable and diverse opportunities throughout their educational journey. J’Nora is a daughter, sister, wife, and most proudly a mother to two young men who keep her very busy, but are literally her pride and joy.

In addition, she serves as President of the Hopkinsville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc as well as a member of the Franklin Business & Professional Womens Club. She is also a huge sports fan and LOVE cheering for and supporting U of L Athletics!! Go Cards! As a member of the African-American Alumni Council, she’s looking forward to our council networking and being a resource to newly degreed alumni of the university as well as current students attending the University. J’Nora stated that UofL is a great place to love, live, and learn. She’s proud to be an alumni of such a prestigious university and is looking forward to connecting to and supporting future alumnus in the future.

We'd like to introduce one of AAAC's Council Members for this year - JC Campbell

JC Campbell, Ph.D., currently lives in Evansville, IN. He was born and raised in Louisville, KY, and graduated from UofL with a Masters in Higher Education in 2013.

Currently, he serves as the Asst. Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion at Oakland City University. He also serves as a professor for Africana Studies and Gender Studies at the University of Southern Indiana. JC is proud to note that he's also a Senior Pastor at Greater Hope Church in Evansville.

You can check Greater Hope Church out at www.ghcevv.org. Outside of this, JC also volunteers in a number of organizations and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. JC looks forward to the Council assisting the university in building scholarships and opportunities for Black students.

We'd like to introduce one of AAAC's Council Members for this year - Diana Whitlock

Diane Whitlock is a native of Louisville, KY, and a long-time employee of UofL. In her role as Executive Assistant to the Senior Associate Vice President for Diversity and Equity, Diane is a member of the Administrative Leadership Team and serves as the diversity plan liaison working with university academic and administrative units to develop and achieve the goals of the university’s diversity plan, in addition to providing executive administrative support to the Senior Associate Vice President.

Diane earned Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from the UofL College of Education and Human Development and is a proud graduate of Louisville Central High School. She has provided service on various committees on and off-campus, some of which include the board of directors for the Business Diversity Network of Kentucky; the planning committee for the University’s 2019 Great Place to Work Strategic Planning group; the advisory board for the Republic Bank Foundation YMCA, and the University Club Board of Directors. She is a former president of the UofL Black Faculty/Staff Association (2008-2012), is one of the recipients of the Muhammad Ali Scholars’ Accomplice of the Year award (2021), UofL President’s Outstanding Performance Awards (2016), and other awards including the UofL LGBT Center Ally Award (2016), UofL Outstanding Community Service Staff Award (2011) and the 2008 Eleanor Young Love Award presented by the Louisville Commission on Human Rights.

We'd like to introduce AAAC's Secretary for this - Stacey Carter

Stacey Lewis Carter, SPHR. is an Air Force Brat, and has grown up everywhere! Most of her youth was spent in Northern California, Beale A.F.B, and Okinawa, Japan. Northern Kentucky, specifically Erlanger/Elsmere, is where she considers Home and where her husband and herself raised four young men. She came to UofL as a Porter scholar and has 2 AA degrees in Social Sciences and Spanish and a BA in Liberal Studies with a major in Diversity Education and minor in Pan African Studies.

Stacey has several highlights while attending UofL which include being a Soloist in the Black Diamond Choir and being selected “Miss Black Diamond Choir” in both her Freshmen and Senior years of college. She was also honored to become the first Black Homecoming Queen at UofL in 1988. She's currently a Human Resources Mgr for Toyota Motor North America. She's held progressive roles in HR over the years, but her professional career began in manufacturing procurement for L’Oreal.

Her life outside of work is centered around her church, children and grandchildren, and her community. Coordinating Vacation Bible School, mentoring young people through Black Achievers and other programs, are her favorite volunteer activities. Stacey is looking forward to serving and finding ways to connect AAAC activities to recruitment, retention, and community outreach.

We’d like to introduce AAAC’s Treasurer for this year - Evan Shepherd

Evan Shepherd is an associate in the Houston office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. Mr. Shepherd’s practice focuses on representing public and private company clients and private equity sponsors in complex commercial transactions, including M&A transactions, joint ventures, private equity investments, strategic investments, securities offerings and related general corporate advice. He currently practices in the firm’s M&A and Capital Markets practice groups.

Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Mr. Shepherd was an associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in London, United Kingdom. Mr. Shepherd received his Juris Doctorate from the NYU School of Law, where he was President of the Student Bar Association, member of Law Review and recipient of the Vanderbilt Medal for outstanding contributions to the NYU School of Law, and his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science (Law & Public Policy) from the University of Louisville.

We’d like to introduce AAAC’s Vice Chair for this year - Shannon Derkson

Shannon is from Cincinnati, OH (How bout dem Bengals!? 🧡🖤) and she Currently resides in Louisville, KY! She’s a recent University of Louisville Class of 2020 graduate with a BS in Psychology, Minor in Biology & a Class of 2021 graduate with a MS in Physiology!

Shannon has had the awesome opportunity to present significant research on the effects of traumatic brain injury at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) on a full travel scholarship through the conference, where she was also judged on her poster presentation and won a monetary award for all of her hard work and dedication!

She currently works as a Surgery Scheduler at a Specialty Doctors Office. In addition to this, she’s also studying for the MCAT and will be applying to medical school this year. 

Shannon has also had the opportunity to recently organize a service event which involved her and her line sisters making no-sew fleece blankets to donate to Kosair Children’s Hospital ❤️👶🏾

Shannon is looking forward to AAAC connecting with African American alumni and students in 2022!

We’d like to introduce AAAC’s Chair & Social Media Coordinator for this year - DeMarcus George

As someone that continues to grow, DeMarcus is someone who is actively earnest, innovative, and tenacious in improving himself everyday. DeMarcus is a 2019 graduate from the University of Louisville with his Bachelor’s Degree in Business & Computer Information Systems with a track in Web Development.

He has a background in IT and Sales. Previously he worked at the University of Louisville's Miller Information Technology Center as an IT Consultant/Specialist and also at Sprint where he served as a Retail Sales Consultant for 3+ years and acquired Top 50 national rankings each year. Currently he works in the tech space serving as an Account Executive for Deliverr, an eCommerce fulfillment startup based out of San-Francisco. At Deliverr, DeMarcus works with eCommerce brands to help them increase their overall revenue and cut their internal costs on shipping and order fulfillment.

In his time away from work he is a beginner investor, Co-Founder of recent 4LifeInk Prints, he operates his Marcos Mashups food page/business where he specializes in home-styled meals, he serves as an alumni mentor at SV Academy, and he started/helps operate an ERG at his current company for people if Black and African Diaspora!

He’s excited to give back and lead AAA in the right direction to bring more alumni together🙌🏾

It’s the first of the month and time is moving so fast!

As AAA continues to grow this year we want to keep you all informed about everything going on within the council, how you can personally get involved, and who your current leadership is!

This week we will start highlighting all of our leadership for AAA . Stay tuned as we have some really great people to highlight!🙌🏾

Want to get updates about everything we are working on? Check out the link in our bio!

The UofL Alumni Awards have been extended through next Friday, February 28th!

Do you know any outstanding Alumni that deserve to be recognized?

Here is the link to nominate now - http://www.uoflalumni.org/s/1157/19/alumni/interior.aspx?sid=1157&gid=1&pgid=713

Why is Black History month significant?

Black History month establishes purpose in acknowledging the strong history and excellence that black men and women have showcased since the beginning of time.

Black History Month, was started by Carter G. Woodson, Ph.D. in 1924 (initially Negro Achievement Week) and was later changed to Black History Month in 1926.

It’s also important to recognize and honor those that have come before us. Through the constant struggles, inequalities, tragedies, and wrongdoings our ancestors have endured, they’ve shown what it means to be black. Let’s continue to uplift one another and celebrate our history!

Happy Black History Month from the University of Louisville’s African-American Alumni Council!

Our goal is to help build up our communities by connecting all of our Alumni! We want to help establish opportunities, create resources, and encourage the uplifting of one another.

Throughout the month, we will be highlighting some of our great council members!

What does Black History Month mean to you?

It’s time to “Bring it Black!” The University of Louisville Homecoming Week is right around the corner! We are welcoming all alumni and friends back home and invite you to attend the Black Alumni Summit October 20-24! Register and spread the word!

uoflalumni.org/black-alumni-summit

2021 Black Alumni Summit The Black Alumni Summit aims to provide opportunities for Black alumni to reconnect with old friends, meet new faces, recall memories, and build our community.

Before the day ends, we would like to send a BIG Happy Mother’s Day to everyone! Thank you to those who are mothers or mother figures to others. You are appreciated!

This weekend is very special! We are welcoming more Alumni to the family!