AAAC Summits and Reconnect to Pitt Receptions
Events designed to connect and reconnect alumni, students administrators, faculty and others. Held in conjunction with the university and regional affiliates.

Annual Board of Directors Planning Summit
Each June, the Board of Directors of the AAAC conducts a two day strategic planning summit to evaluate the past year’s activities and to chart an action plan for the upcoming year.

Appleseed Community Service Project
Giving to others is a basic spiritual principle that enriches everyone’s life. In 2005, AAAC developed the Apple Seed Community Service Project a program designed to give back to the community by providing an opportunity for the University of Pittsburgh family to partner with the Pittsburgh Public Schools.

By promoting reading and writing skills and re-enforcing the value of a strong education, Appleseed volunteers plant seeds of hope and inspiration in the lives of students to nourish the mind and to introduce students to a new world of possibilities through books and educational/career discussions. AAAC Affiliates are encouraged to implement the Apple Seed Project in their local jurisdictions.

Sankofa Homecoming
The homecoming activities are designed to connect alumni to the University and to raise funds for the AAAC endowed scholarship program.

RISE Mentoring Program
In 2006, the AAAC developed with the Office of Student Affairs, a student mentoring program called “RISE” Reaching within your Soul for Excellence. RISE is a relationship building program matching alumni with students to provide opportunities for alumni to share experiences with students in areas such as college transition, career development, personal growth, role modeling and character, social and leadership development. A key component of AAAC’s involvement is RISE Connection, an internship, career shadow day, e-mentoring and career coaching program.

Student Programs Outreach to Pitt students is a major goal of the AAAC. As such, the AAAC has established permanent seats on its Board of Directors for student leaders, including the President of the Black Action Society, President of the National Panhellenic Council and four student-at-large seats.

During the 2005-2006 year the AAAC established the following student programs and activities:

• Annual Baccalaureate Interfaith Service
• Annual Student Dialogues
• Partnership Programs with the Black Action Society including the Senior Dinner, Indaba Ceremony, Mr. and Ms. Black Pitt, etc
• The Welcome Freshmen to Pitt Cook-out and Send-off
• RISE Connection

Race in America: Restructuring Inequality

June 3–6, 2010

Pittsburgh, PA

Keynote Speakers: Julian Bond and Julianne Malveaux

The University of Pittsburgh's School of Social Work and the Center on Race and Social Problems will host "Race in America"—designed to be the most solution-focused national conference on race ever.

Seven key areas will be explored during "Race in America": economics, education, criminal justice, race relations, health, mental health, and families, youth, and the elderly. There will be two keynote speeches and a panel discussion, all open to the public, as well as 20 sessions for conference participants. 40 of the nation's most prominent experts on race will give presentations in the conference sessions.

Conference participants—a multiracial group of researchers, policy makers, students, and community leaders—will be asked to identify the most pervasive instances of racial inequities, explore the factors that contribute to them, and work on actionable steps that can be taken at the federal, state, and local levels to help build greater equity in our society.

"Times of challenge provide the opportunity to create change," says Larry E. Davis, dean of the School of Social Work, Donald M. Henderson Professor, and director of the Center on Race and Social Problems at Pitt. "As the nation continues its efforts to recover from an economic downturn, there has never been a better time to reexamine and correct racial inequalities in American society. It is our intent to make this the best conference ever on race in America. More importantly, it is our goal to make it the most useful one."

Click here to view the full conference brochure.

The early bird discount has been extended until April 23!