40th Anniversary Commencement Celebration

The week of July 26th was one of celebration for National Urban Fellows. Amid much pomp and circumstance, the Class of 2010 prepared to end their days as Fellows, but begin their new lives as Alumni.

The Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, (pictured left) President of SUNY College at Old Westbury, and Pastor of the nationally recognized Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York, was the 40th Anniversary Commencement speaker for the graduating class of 2010. Among the most resonating remarks made by Dr. Butts to the graduates, was the reminder of the imminent “rising tide of color,” that challenges today’s change agents to lead with respect and appreciation for diversity and inclusiveness, and that all people are created equal. Dr. Butts also described his new acronym for the word “U R B A N,” describing it to mean “Using Real Brains to Advance the Nation.” To view video of the Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts’ keynote commencement address to NUF graduates click here

NUF held its first annual Rite of Passage Pinning Ceremony on Wednesday, July 28. An important part of the National Urban Fellows experience, the rite of passage is meant to instill in new Alumni, a sense of pride and accomplishment, and re-enforce the life-long relationship between National Urban Fellows and its Alumni. Presiding over the pinning ceremony were NUF Chair, Ben Reyes and President, Paula Gavin. Representing the four decades of NUF Alumni who shared their experiences, as well as best wishes were speakers, Mary Wong Lee, Class of 1978, Member Board of Directors, National Urban Fellows; Dr. Carolyn N. Graham, Class of 1986, Deputy Chief Administrator, Office for Human Services, Richmond, VA; Dr. Debra J. Perez, Class of 1997, Senior Program Officer, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Gerick T. Smith, Class of 2003, Deputy Director, Construction Division, Department f Real Estate Services for the District of Columbia.

NUF Announces Mentorships for Class of 2011

To see mentors listing click here...

40th Anniversary Appointments
to NUF Board of Directors



Flora M. Castillo
To read more click here...
40th Anniversary Benefit Event in Chicago

NUF will host a 40th Anniversary Benefit Event to honor three outstanding Chicago leaders on Tuesday, September 14, 2010. The benefit event includes the Chicago White Sox vs. Minnesota Twins game, and is sponsored by Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Best Buy. For more information, to RSVP and purchase tickets click here.