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Grinnell Black Alumni Network. Image: A white and black stylized bird on a red, black, and green flag. The Grinnell College logo sits below the text.

Grinnell Black Alumni Network

Grinnell Black Alumni Network (GBAN) aims to create community and facilitate relationships between Black alumni, Black students, faculty, and staff by empowering members through each stage of their Grinnell journey

Save the Date

Black Alumni Weekend returns to Grinnell College, October 3-5, 2025. Theme: Rooted in Excellence: Reawakening our Legacy, Rebuilding our Community.

Leadership

Ope Awe ’15 and Noel Green ’94 – Co-chairs

Jeffrey Fields ’90 – Member Engagement Lead

Kari Bassett 98 and Langston Thomas ’20 – Student Engagement Committee Leads

Aziza Mabrey-Wakefield ’25 – Student Representative

Get Involved

What is an affinity group?

Affinity groups create space for Grinnellians of shared identities to connect on meaningful levels beyond the traditional class and regional structure. GBAN will increase opportunities for you to get involved and meet other black Grinnellians, foster a sense of community, build a medium through which you can network and share information and resources, engage in relevant, targeted fundraising activities, and create a sense of community and shared values. GBAN will create spaces where you can share your stories with each other and students, and add to the collective narrative of the College. GBAN will not only create another avenue for you to engage with each other and the College but, through your participation, will strengthen the College’s mission by fostering bonds between yourself and the campus.