2024 Alumni Recognition, Scholarship, and Networking | Hofstra University
2024 Alumni Recognition, Scholarship, and Networking Dinner
Celebrate, Connect, Dine, and Dance
Saturday, April 6, 2024, 7 p.m. Hofstra University Club, David S. Mack Hall, North Campus
B BLACK NATIONAL ANTHEM B
“Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Lift every voice and sing, till earth and Heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of liberty; Let our rejoicing rise, high as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet, Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered; Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast. God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou Who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou Who hast by Thy might, led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee. Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee.
Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand, True to our God, true to our native land.
James Weldon Johnson, 1900
B MESSAGE FROM THE BHAA PRESIDENT B
Welcome to the 2024 Black/Hispanic Alumni Association Recognition, Scholarship, and Networking Dinner.
The Executive Board wants to thank you for your participation in tonight’s event and for your support during the year of the organization.
As a personal note, as I come to the end of my term as BHAA president, I want to thank all the members of the organization for your support. It has been my profound honor to have served in this capacity.
To paraphrase an ancient phrase, we are living in interesting times.
From the overturning of Roe v. Wade to book banning in our school systems, the need for minorities to band together is needed more than ever. This is why organizations like BHAA need to flourish, to be a voice to combat the noise of censorship and oppression.
As always, it is inspiring to see so many undergraduate attendees.
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor once said:
“When a young person, even a gifted one, grows up without proximate living examples of what she may aspire to become – whether lawyer, scientist, artist, or leader in any realm – her goal remains abstract. Such models as appear in books or on the news, however inspiring or revered, are ultimately too remote to be real, let alone influential. But a role model in the flesh provides more than inspiration; his or her very existence is confirmation of possibilities one may have every reason to doubt, saying, ‘Yes, someone like me can do this.’” (My Beloved World , 2014)
I say to our undergraduates, you are fortunate to hear from our student speaker and our alumni award honorees. Our honorees are Hofstra graduates who are at the top of their professions and, yes, they were once like you.
To our student speaker and our alumni award honorees, let me congratulate you on your accomplishments and thank you for being here this evening. You fill us with Hofstra Pride.
Tonight let us celebrate the Black/Hispanic Alumni Association. Let it continue to be a beacon for our undergraduates and fellow alumni.
Thank you for coming tonight and enjoy the evening.
International Business Major Core Member, BLAC (Black Leaders Advocating for Change) Hofstra University
h Dinner and Dancing h
Presentation of Student
Wilbert K. Davis ‘20
Leadership Awards Vice President, Hofstra BHAA
Annual Scholarship
Jacqueline Fowler ‘07, ‘21
Candidate Presentation Treasurer and Scholarship Chair, Hofstra BHAA
Annual Scholarship Appeal
Frederick E. Davis Jr. ‘85
Member, Hofstra University Board of Trustees
Past President, Hofstra Alumni Organization and Hofstra BHAA
Presentation of Alumni
Recognition Awards
Wilbert K. Davis ‘20
Jacqueline Fowler ‘07, ‘21
Amy Flores ’10, Historian, Hofstra BHAA
Closing Remarks Jamie Whitfield ‘82
Brittany Hinds ‘12 Finance Manager, Johnson & Johnson
Brittany Hinds is a finance manager at Johnson & Johnson. She is responsible for strategically managing and leading various end-to-end learning and development solutions for Global Finance Organization. Brittany has held positions of increasing responsibility, completing rotations within various sectors and functions within J&J Finance for the past 12 years. Brittany graduated from Hofstra University with a BBA in Accounting and Legal Studies in 2012. At Hofstra, she was an active e-board member of the National Association of Black Accountants Inc. and the Zarb Student Leadership Council. Brittany lives in Brooklyn, NY; is a proud dog mom; and is committed to being a positive source of support to those she mentors.
Ana Ledo ‘00
News
Reporter, Telemundo 47/WNJU
Ana Ledo is a news reporter for Telemundo 47/WNJU. As a member of the Noticiero 47 Telemundo news team, she reports breaking news and general news coverage for tri-state viewers.
In 2022, Ana received two Emmy Awards for her team coverage Primary Night for Governor Race and the news special Sandy 10 Years Later. In 2021, Ana’s commitment to broadcast excellence was recognized by the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which honored her with an Emmy for her COVID-19 reporting in Telemundo 47’s 2020 Coronavirus Special. She also received an Emmy in 2020, with her reporting recognized as part of Telemundo 47’s award for “Best Weekend Newscast.”
Ana joined the Telemundo 47 team in September 2018. She previously spent more than a decade at Univision 41 New York, where she worked as a reporter and presenter. Ana covered many of the most memorable stories in the tri-state area during her years at Univision 41, including the 2016 presidential elections, Superstorm Sandy in 2012, the landing and rescue of the “Miracle on the Hudson” in 2009, and Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to New York in 2008.
Prior to joining Univision 41 in 2005, Ana served as the head of the New York City Mayor's Office for El Diario/La Prensa and covered the governmental and political affairs of the administrations of Rudolph Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg. She also reported on the terrorist attacks of September 11, the blackout in New York in 2003, and the Republican National Convention in New York City in 2004.
Ana earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Hofstra University. In addition, she was honored as "Madrina" of the Puerto Rican national parade in 2009.
To read more about Ana Ledo, please visit her Facebook page and Twitter @AnaLedoT47.
Stevens J. Martinez ‘19
Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs on Long Island, NYS Governor Kathy Hochul
Stevens Martinez, Hofstra Class of 2019, currently serves as the deputy director of intergovernmental affairs on Long Island for New York State Governor Kathy Hochul. The Intergovernmental Affairs team serves as the direct liaison between Long Island stakeholders and the Executive Chamber, where Stevens directly manages a team of regional representatives. Stevens was the Nassau County regional representative for the governor before he was recently promoted to deputy director.
Prior to joining the Governor’s Office, Stevens was part of the Government Affairs team at NBCUniversal, and from 2019 to 2021, he was with the Nassau County Comptroller’s Office.
The son of El Salvadoran immigrants, Stevens has dedicated his career to addressing the needs of working-class Long Islanders – having grown up in a working-class household himself. He earned a BA in Public Policy and Public Service from the Peter S. Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs at Hofstra University. Stevens lives on Long Island in the great City of Glen Cove with his friends, and enjoys spending time trying new restaurants, lounging out by the beach, and most importantly, creating new memories with his loved ones.
Tony Roche ‘00
Global Head of Quality Assurance
Shared Services Operations, Wells Fargo
Tony Roche is the global head of quality assurance for Wells Fargo’s Shared Services Operations. He is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of operational excellence and regulatory compliance by driving a consistent application of quality strategies while applying critical risk management.
Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Tony spent seven years with JPMorgan Chase, with his most recent role as the global head of insurance and retirement services operations for Asset & Wealth Management (AWM). During his tenure at JPMorgan Chase, he was responsible for applying process improvements, implementing governance models, executing large-scale initiatives, and driving strategies across major lines of business. In addition to business responsibilities, he is an advocate and champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion and served as the sponsor and chair of many committees.
Tony has 20+ years of experience and multiple responsibilities within the finance and insurance industries, including his time at Chubb as the head of process improvement and business development and in different capacities at State Farm.
Tony earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Hofstra University and a Master of Business Administration in Corporate Finance from Dowling College. He also holds the Lean Six Sigma certification in Process Improvement and Project Management.
Outside of his professional life, Tony is actively involved in his community and is a member of a variety of organizations, including the National Black MBA Association, American Insurance Association, National African American Insurance Association, and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
B DEANNA HUNTER LEGACY AWARD B
Deanna Hunter was a dedicated and beloved member of the Hofstra University administration for 21 years, as well as an alumna who received her BA and MS in Counselor Education. She was a founding member of Hofstra’s Black/Hispanic Alumni Association in 1990, as well as an active member of Hofstra’s Alumni Senate and Alumni Organization. In 1995, Deanna was honored and received the Alumni Achievement Award.
She was a passionate advocate for her students. Deanna often looked high and low for internships, job opportunities, and scholarships, and always had a listening ear to help students move forward in their educational and career pursuits. She also served in the local community as co-chair of the Hempstead Neighborhood Advisory Counsel and as a member of the Hempstead/Uniondale Regional Parochial School Board. Deanna was recognized in Who’s Who Among Black Americans
Deanna was the former assistant dean for special programs, and the executive director of Hofstra’s Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) and the New York Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP). The CSTEP and STEP programs help economically disadvantaged students and underrepresented minorities succeed in their chosen fields. The programs foster a cooperative learning environment with support services that enhance each student’s academic growth and professional potential. STEP is an academic enrichment and career preparation program for students in grades 7-12. CSTEP is a program for undergraduate students that provides a number of academic and preprofessional support services.
THE AWARD
The Deanna Hunter Legacy Award was created in memory of the late Deanna Hunter. To be considered for this award, Hofstra’s Office of Student Leadership and Engagement and Intercultural Engagement and Inclusion recommended active, deserving students who demonstrate high academic achievement, possess clear career goals, and are strong contributors to Hofstra University.
2023-2024
Recipients
Olamide Oluwafemi ‘24 Vice President, African Student Association
Jonas Fredonis ‘25
President,
The Pride Network
B STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARDS B
African Student Association (ASA)
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
Ballroom and Latin Dance
Black Student Union (BSU)
Black Leaders Advocating for Change (BLAC)
Caribbean Student Association (CSA)
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Hispanic Public Relations Student Association
Hofstra Gospel Ensemble
Hofstra’s Organization of Latinx Americans (HOLA)
Minority Association of Pre-Health Students
Multicultural Fraternity Sorority Council
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Hofstra Chapter
National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)
National Association of Hispanic Journalists
National Society of Black Engineers
Queer and Trans People of Color Coalition
Strictly Steppin’
B BHAA SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT B
Congratulations!
The Hofstra Black/Hispanic Alumni Association commends your commitment to academic excellence.
2023-2024
Endowed Scholarship Recipient
Angeline Giselle Dishmey
Major: Biology (Pre-Med)
Help us continue to provide scholarships to deserving students by scanning the QR code below:
B SUPPORTERS B
Charlane Brown
Tonya Bryant
Julie E. Byrne
Stephanie Cooper-Smiley
Cornell L. Craig
Solange and Frederick Davis
Wilbert K. Davis
Donna Drayton
Tricia M. Ferrell
Amy Flores
Jacqueline Fowler
Charles J. Goodman
Tricia J. Griffith
Martine C. Hackett
Margo N. Hadley-Bell
Michele D. Hart
Sara Hendricks
Brittany A. Hinds
Kevin Hinds
Myrna Hinds
Marta G. Holliday
Adam T. Hornbuckle
Audrey L. Jones
Lawrence Herbert School of Communication
Ana M. Ledo
Yvette Mack
Stevens J. Martinez
Kim P. Mayo
Mark A. McCaw
Aishah McKenzie
Tony Roche
Claudia Schrader
Rudene Scipio
Charmaine Sherriff-Wilson
Beverly G. Thomas
Janiece Todman
Emma P. Walthall
Rondell J. Wescott
Patricia D. White
Jamie L. Whitfield
Laurelle Williams
Charmise P. Woodside-Desire
WRHU Radio Hofstra University
congratulates Ana Ledo '00
NY Emmy Award-winning Telemundo reporter and all of the 2024
Black/Hispanic Alumni Association
Honorees
Black/Hispanic Alumni Association Executive Board
President ......................................................................Jamie Whitfield ’82
Vice President .............................................................Wilbert K. Davis ’20
