The Black Alumni Association for the University of Central Missouri (UCM), formerly Central Missouri State University, will host its 3rd Black Alumni Reunion Weekend during Homecoming Weekend in Warrensburg, MO, October 12–14.
The Black Alumni Committee, which is headed by Latonia Collins-Smith, Mychal Bridges, Antoinette Cousins, Curtis Bledsoe and Melita Ware, have organized for the past five years to bring together UCM Black Alumni from all over the country. Nestled in Warrensburg, MO, just 200 miles away from St. Louis and 50 miles outside of Kansas City, UCM unsurprisingly has a large St. Louis and Kansas City, MO alumni population.
The alumni committee, which is comprised of proud UCM graduates, has built and dramatically strengthened the post-baccalaureate network amongst black alumni for the past five years through a number of programming, social networking and community outreach efforts.
One of the group’s proudest accomplishments to date is the creation of the Black Alumni Scholarship program. The Alumni Committee presented a $10,000 scholarship to the university on behalf of the Black Alumni Association following the 2010 Black Alumni Reunion Weekend. The efforts of the Black Alumni committee have been recognized and well-received by the University of Central Missouri.
This year’s reunion agenda has been finalized and the committee hopes to raise enough funds through alumni reunion registrations to continue making college possible for future area students who chose to attend UCM.
In addition to serving on the Black Alumni Committee, Latonia Collins serves on the Alumni Board of Directors for UCM. Antoinette Cousins is a dedicated staff member in the Ward 27 Community office, where the late Greg Carter served as Alderman.
In addition to their professional careers, Mychal and Curtis are dedicated members of Kappa Alpha Psi and serve in various ways in the community.
Some of the distinguished graduates of UCM include David Steward, founder of World Wide Technologies, attorney Jerryl Christmas and countless other business professionals, politicians and athletes. The committee hopes to continue to expound upon and publicize the rich legacy UCM’s Black alumni.
The alumni committee has designed a weekend packed full of fun and service for all interested former UCM students and graduates. For more information, please contact the UCM Black Alumni page on Facebook or contact Antoinette “Toni” Cousins at 6085 West Florissant St. Louis MO 63136 Monday- Friday between 9-5, or call Toni Cousin 314-382-6001.
