Black Alumni Council
Founded in 1976, the NIU Black Alumni Council supports Black students at NIU and serves as a resource for NIU's Black alumni. Between 1988 and 2022, the BAC has given more than $130,000 in Fanny Ruth Patterson Scholarship Awards, which is named for the first Black student to graduate from NIU. The BAC hosts a variety of events each year, including networking events, football watch parties, and the annual Black Alumni Council Weekend.
**UPCOMING EVENTS**
Join us for Radiant and Rooted, this year's Homecoming Weekend brought to you by the Black Alumni Council!
Check back for updates and check out all upcoming alumni events on the NIU Alumni Association events page.
Mission of the Council
The mission of the NIUBAC is to support the recruitment, retention, and graduation of black students attending NIU by providing resources for their academic support, financial assistance, and career development. It is also our mission to serve as a bridge between the university and NIU black alumni and provide social activities and networking opportunities. The Talented Tenth Program (with the assistance of BAC committee members) has exposed over 10,000 African-American high school students to NIU. On average, 25 to 30 of these students are accepted for admission to NIU each year. BAC has given out approximately 12 Outstanding Black Alumni Awards to distinguished NIU black alumni.
Council News
NIU Black Alumni Council Newsletter - June 2023
NIU Black Alumni Council Newsletter - August 2023
NIU Black Alumni Council Newsletter - February 2024
NIU Black Alumni Council Newsletter - May 2024
NIU Black Alumni Council Newsletter - August 2024
NIU Black Alumni Council Newsletter - June 2025
Get Connected
Interested in volunteering to help plan activities alongside the Black Alumni Council Leadership Council? We'd love to hear from you! Email volunteer@niu.edu.
Philanthropy
Check back here for future fundraisers supported by the Black Alumni Council. Interested in making a gift to NIU? You can make your gift here.
BAC Leadership
Leadership Council
Michael Johns, President; Michael Pattrick, Vice President; Marlon Haywood, Events Chair;Howard Hill, Communications Chair; Eric Lindsay; Scholarship Chair; James Alford, Student Engagement Chair; At-Large Members: Antoinette Bryant, Michael Crawford, Richard Hart, Toni Minter, Howard Hill, Eric Lindsay, Lewis Powell III, Kweli Kwaza
Homecoming Committee
Jamie Anderson, Monique Bernoudy, Amon Brooks, Sinaria Brown, LaBrian Carrington, Taricka Clinton, Tenille Drayton, Marci Haynes, Marlon Haywood, Michael Johns, Berkley Julun, Anikka Martin, Chris Mitchell, Chi Chi O., Jocelyn Watson
Student Engagement Committee
James Alford, Zachery Bills, Chris Daniels, Stepfanie Johnson, Tyler Lawson, Caprisha Neal, Shakaria Smith, Jaelyn Logan
Social Media Channels
Check out our photos and connect with us via our social channels:
NIU Black Alumni Council Facebook page
BAC Flickr Album