October 2-4, 2009
Celebrating Those Who Came Before
(Alumni of Color in the 40s - 70s)

Past, Present, Future

• Note: All students are invited to attend any portion of the program outlined below.
  - RSVP's are required where noted.
  - Questions? Please contact Juan Baena at jgb1@williams.edu .

Friday, October 2

7:30 PM                   Documentary: Congressman Robert Smalls: 
                                 A Patriot's Journey From Slavery to Capitol Hill  
                                 Written and Directed by Adrena Ifill '91.
                                 Bronfman Auditorium 

"Writer/Director Adrena Ifill brings us a documentary about the life of Robert Smalls, whose courageous journey from enslavement to election helped shape American democracy into what it is today. Elected one of the first ever African American Congressmen in 1875, Smalls fought tirelessly for civil rights during his five terms in office, and paved the way for current African American politicians like President Barack Obama. This documentary, narrated by actor Sean Patrick Thomas, explores the leadership and legacy of Smalls.

Director's Biography: Adrena Ifill has over 15 years experience in documentary video production, marketing, and public relations. In 2002, she founded DoubleBack Productions, LLC due in part to the inspiration and enthusiasm for history passed down to Ms. Ifill by her parents. DoubleBack Productions, LLC manages and consults with cultural and history projects utilizing the benefits of technology to restore and preserve less widely known events in the history of the African Diaspora. Its mission is to inform, preserve and provoke discourse across the globe. A graduate of the competitive Documentary Center of George Washington University in Washington, D.C., Adrena also holds an M.B.A from Howard University and B.A. from Williams College in Massachusetts. She is a board member of the Humanities Council of Washington, DC and the Black Collective for DC History. In addition, she serves on the Alumnae Board of Holton-Arms School." (description obtained from b-side entertainment)

9:00 - 11:00 PM           Welcome Reception, Meet & Greet. The Orchards, Rt. 2 Main Street.
                                     Please RSVP to jms1@williams.edu by Thursday, October 1  

Saturday, October 3

9:45 AM                   Past: An Era of Silence, An Era of Protest.
                                 Round-circle discussion with the early students of color
                                 Facilitated by Vernon Manley '72
                                 Dodd House Living Room 

11:30 AM                 First Women of Color: Tryin' to Make It Real Compared to What?
                                 Facilitated by Suji Sutler '74
                                 Dodd House Living Room                  

2:30 PM                   Present: Williams Today, Students and Young Alumni
                                 Facilitated by Christina Villegas '05 and Thomas Kunjappu '06
                                 *Students are encouraged to come and share their input and perspectives.
                                 Dodd House Living Room

7:00 PM                   Dinner with Students, Faculty, and Staff.
                                 Keynote Speaker: Jacqueline Meadows '75
                                 "Celebrating Those Who Came Before"
                                 The Log, Spring Street 
                                 Please RSVP to jms1@williams.edu by Thursday, October 1 

9:30 - 11:00 PM       After Dinner Dessert & Coffee. The Log
                                 Beyond Williams: Global Issues Affecting People of Color
                                 Faculty led session by Professor Alex Willingham and Professor Scott Wong
                                      - Race and Politics in the Obama Era
                                      - Immigration: Law and Reform

Sunday, October 4

9:30 - Noon            Farewell Continental Breakfast

                               - The Lost Mural: Images of Strength and Solidarity.
                                  A conversation with artist and sculptor, Jerome Meadows (BFA, RISD '73)
                                  MFA, University of Maryland at College Park
                                  Griffin 3              

* In the early 1970s a colorful mural was painted by artist Jerome Meadows on the walls of the BSU (Black Student Union), then located in the lower level of Mears House. At the time Jerry, as Jerome was fondly known back then, was married to student Jacqueline Strachan Meadows `75.  Although Jerry graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design, he was as much a part of the Williams community of color as was any officially enrolled student. Jerry’s mural of powerful, voluptuous figures, reflecting a community of survivors and solidarity, kept many of us strong and motivated to succeed.

When the BSU moved to Rice House in the early 1980’s, the mural was painted over during a renovation project to repurpose the Mears House lower level. Upon hearing about the plans for renovation, Mike Reed ’75 (who was back on campus working) rushed over with his camera in hand to capture Jerry’s powerful and beautiful images. Thanks to Mike, these images can now be remembered and shared.

We invite Jerome back to campus during Career Mentor Weekend to celebrate his legacy to early Williams’ students of color and to commission him to recreate a portion of the lost mural on the walls of the Multicultural Center.

Read article on Jerome Meadows: Portraits of U.S. Artists in the Southeast: Jerome Meadows. 

                               - Future: What's Ahead: Our Place at the Purple Table
                                 Discussion with Mike Reed '75,
                                 Vice President of Strategic Planning and Institutional Diversity
                                 Griffin 3