Thank You and Farewell

A Note from HBAS President Monica Clark (2022-2025)

When I attended Harvard College, the Black community was a meaningful source of support, friendship, and fun. It may be why I never questioned whether I belonged. I joined the HBAS Board in 2014 to hold on to this feeling of community, and I have succeeded in doing so! What I didn’t expect was how the experience broadened my knowledge of, and appreciation for, Harvard and my fellow alums. This role has required me to pay attention to the University’s tremendous progress, which provided context for the backlash we saw in 2023 and 2024. Serving as HBAS President also gave me the opportunity to develop friendships with, and be inspired by, alums from different Harvard schools, class years, SIGs and Clubs.

When I began my 3-year term as President in 2022, our goals were to 1) boost membership engagement, 2) raise $50K by 2023 and 3) program a Black alumni weekend for the Fall of 2024, finishing the term with a strong, highly engaged, well-funded HBAS. I’m leaving proud of what this Board has accomplished during this period:

  • Membership: We’ve boosted our followers on Instagram and LinkedIn, launched or relaunched 4 new local chapters, brought back our annual reunion reception, nurtured our relationship with students, and have hundreds of dues-paying members.

  • Fundraising: an angel by the name of Chris-Tia Donaldson helped us reach our fundraising goals, bequeathing us a gift in 2023. This combined with our Giving Tuesday efforts, memberships and of course Black Alumni Weekend left us in a good place financially.

  • Summer Community Service Fellowships: This wasn’t a stated goal, but I’m proud that we were able to triple the number of fellowships we provide to Harvard undergrads working on projects consistent with HBAS’ mission.

  • HBAW: In September, the Global Changemakers Conference was beyond what I ever could have imagined both because of the series of high-profile events that preceded it and the sheer talent and commitment of the conference Co-Chairs. It reminded me (and many of you) of what we loved about Harvard – US!

I didn't expect when I accepted this role that a College and HLS grad would become the first Black, female Supreme Court Justice; Harvard would commit $100 million in reparative efforts for its legacy of slavery; 4 Black undergrads would be the target of a swatting call; affirmative action would be declared unconstitutional (well, maybe I did expect that); Harvard would appoint its first Black and second female President in nearly 400 years, and then that President would resign a few months later.

It’s been a lot, but these events have also had the effect of unifying the Harvard Black community – students, alums, staff and faculty - and reaffirmed the need for organizations like HBAS. To that end, as one of the final acts of the year, the National HBAS Board sent a letter to President Garber and FAS Dean Hoekstra (who appoints the College Dean) with questions and considerations for the candidates for Dean of the College, HGSE, and the Law School, which you can read here. Thanks to those of you who provided your wise counsel.

As you scroll through the attacks on Harvard from every direction, I urge you to remember that the University also gave you this community of Harvard Black alums, which is a source of both support and power. Please use it. Continue to push the University to honor its commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion and the recommendations from the Legacy of Slavery initiative. Get involved with HBAS and HAA. Make a year-end donation to HBAS! 

It’s been an honor to serve you. Thank you and farewell!

Monica Clark AB '06

 

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