Ashley Fletcher ’14 believes Salisbury University’s community is stronger when alumni support current students – and each other. After all, that’s the Sea Gull way. That was the initial thought that led her to work with fellow graduates to establish the Black Alumni Association of SU in 2020.
“BAASU was founded to address the continuous need for a network that represents the collective cultural experiences and achievements of Black alumni,” said Fletcher, who serves as the association’s president, noting its mission statement. “Working in conjunction with the SU Alumni Association, we strive to empower SU Sea Gulls of the past, present and future.”
One goal has been to establish and maintain a strong network of diverse alumni. Fletcher, who earned her M.F.A. in graphic design from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) after completing her B.A. in art, with a graphic design track, at SU, realized the benefits of connecting with alumni from similar backgrounds after entering the job market.
Working in conjunction with the SU Alumni Association, we strive to empower SU Sea Gulls of the past, present and future.
– Ashley Fletcher
“I got to witness how strong [MICA’s] network of graduates was,” she said. “I can go on LinkedIn and instantly get career help from MICA alums. Not only is their network great; their career support from Career Development is top notch.
“This brought me to reflect on my time at SU, how, as a Black student feeling underrepresented on campus and in the classroom, I could’ve really used that same support. There are so many barriers to entering the workforce and challenges that students face post-grad. This led me to think about how we could create a network that supports and celebrates Black alumni and students.”
While the SU Alumni Association boasts a wide-ranging community of more than 60,000 former Sea Gulls, its public database of alums does not include data on former students’ heritage.
Since the creation of BAASU, its founding board – including Rachel Obamwonyi ’16, Dominic Williams ’17, Jeremie Davis ’18, Unique Falcon ’17, Julian Nelson-Saunders ’18 and Donovan Mack ’18 – have cultivated a network of some 700 diverse alumni, allowing members from multiple decades to connect through their shared SU experiences.
Last fall, they worked to create new SU memories for many of those, hosting the organization’s first reunion activities during Alumni Homecoming and Family Weekend.
After conducting an alumni survey, they planned a slate of activities including a sold-out cookout, family-friendly bowling session and “Back on the Shore” party, as well as the return of the SU Jazz Brunch, sponsored by SU’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
“We were looking to provide programming and events that speak to the Black experience at Salisbury,” explained Fletcher. “It’s very unique. It’s very dynamic and multifaceted.”
She hopes students introduced to BAASU will see how vast their alumni community is and know that BAASU has saved space for them. And the association is not stopping there.
“We’re just getting started,” she said. “The support that we’ve received from alumni has been incredible. We are super excited for what’s to come!”
She also thanked the organization’s sponsors: Divine Counseling, owned by SU alumna Cara Baltimore ’18, LCSW-C, and Rise Up Coffee Roasters.
BAASU is seeking officers and committee members, as well as information from diverse alumni who have not yet connected with the organization. To express interest, email blackalumsu@gmail.com.
For more information, including social media links, visit linktr.ee/blackalumsu
