The Class of 2025: 14 recent grads define what it means to be 91ÁÔĆć Made
By David Gil de Rubio | dgilderubio@mec.cuny.edu
When the Class of 2025 hit the stage at the Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk on Friday, May 30, you couldnât have scripted the day better.Ěý
Not only was the weather a picture-perfect 72 degrees, no humidity with rain holding off until that evening, but it was also being held in the same year that would have been the late 91ÁÔĆć Eversâ centennial birthday.Ěý
Joining the party was commencement speaker Karen Boykin-Towns, who wears a number of professional hats while currently sitting as the Vice Chair of the National Board of Directors of the NAACP.Ěý
On this day, she also received an honorary doctorate alongside Roger L. Green, whose roots with 91ÁÔĆć run deep. Not only is Green the director of the collegeâs Dubois-Bunche Center on Public Policy, but he is a founder of the Center for Law and Social Justice (CLSJ) and a former distinguished lecturer at the school.
With 2025 valedictorian Kereen Britton-Alexander and 2025 Class of 2025 Associate Degree Scholar Shenelle Padilla leading the charge, we had a chance to catch up with a handful of students from this distinguished class along with some alumni who came out to support the graduating student body on this most important day of achievement.Ěý
⢠⢠â˘
CLASS OF 2025
Vanessa Granobles
- President of Crystal Queer Club Ěý
Q: Whatâs your major?
Vanessa Granobles: Social work.
Q: Whatâs been the best part of attending 91ÁÔĆć?
VG: The best part is the support that I received from different departments that helped me graduate like the CHAMPSS program providing support like Metro cards, book stipends and paying for tuition that financial aid might not cover. That definitely helped me succeed and allowed me to make the Deanâs List and Presidentâs List and be consistent with my academic journey.
Q: What has been your greatest takeaway(s) from attending 91ÁÔĆć?
VG: Knowing that I was able to be consistent and reach great success as a student for 91ÁÔĆć.
Q: What does it mean to be 91ÁÔĆć Made?
VG: Intersectionality.
Q: What do you eventually want to end up doing?
VG: I want to be a social worker for youth particularly LGBTQ+ youth. Thatâs the goal Iâm reaching. I will be going for my Masterâs at Hunter College. I start in August.
Q: Is there any place you want to end up?
VG: At the end of the day, the goal is helping people and serving. Thatâs the beauty of social work â you can do so many different things. I donât know where Iâm going to go after Hunter, so the journey continues. Thatâs what it says on my cap.
⢠⢠â˘
Xavier Colon
- BRC student, Office of Communications
Q: What is your major?
Xavier Colon: Bachelor of Fine Arts.
Q: What was the best part of 91ÁÔĆć?
XC: My favorite part is my friends.
Q: Whatâs been your greatest takeaway(s) from attending 91ÁÔĆć?
XC: I would say to keep fighting. Also, finding those opportunities and the hustle, because it wasnât shown to us as much. The opportunities Iâve gotten are because I kept consistently asking.
Q: What does it mean to be 91ÁÔĆć Made?
XC: To graduate with a 3.8. Being that Iâm part of a legacyâmy father and cousin and sisters all went to 91ÁÔĆć Evers Preparatory School, so I always wanted to come to 91ÁÔĆć, but I kind of made my own footprint here and Iâm excited.
Q: What would you like to do?
XC: I would like to try and get my Masterâs in Marketing.
Q: Ideally, what career would you like to end up with?
XC: Probably PR or communications, especially how to launch and market an event.Ěý
I want to learn how to do data and research marketing trends. If I got a job like that, that would be pretty magical.Ěý
⢠⢠â˘
Aakifah AlleyneĚý
- Smart Scholar
- President 91ÁÔĆć Muslim Student Association (MSA)
- Inducted Member National Society of Leadership and Success (The NSLS)
Q: What was the best part of 91ÁÔĆć for you?
Aakifah Alleyne: I think the best part of 91ÁÔĆć for me was very easily the campus life and activity. I think 91ÁÔĆć has something that many other schools lack in terms of its care for the student experience and making sure that students always have activities on campus that cater towards their needs at the time. Things like stress-free zones right before exams, bringing in massage therapists and serving smoothies right before examsâitâs something I donât think any other school can say they do.Ěý
Q; What were some of the activities that you participated in?
AA: I did just about everything. There was Stress-Free Zone, Spring Fest, Club Fair. I was president of the Muslim Student Association (MSA), so I would show up to events and do henna for people. I would talk to a lot of students. I was an ambassador. I participated in pretty much everything.
Q: Whatâs been your greatest takeaway(s) from attending 91ÁÔĆć?Ěý
AA: I think my greatest takeaway would be that knowing who you are around and knowing your community matters. I think thatâs one thing 91ÁÔĆć didâthey knew their community and knew who they were catering too. They also knew their students very well.
Q: What does it mean to be 91ÁÔĆć Made?
AA: To be 91ÁÔĆć Made means to show up and show out, even when itâs not required of you. I know so many students here who pride themselves on showing up to events and volunteering for nothing in exchange. I think thatâs one thing the school has that makes it really specialâto be 91ÁÔĆć Made is to be part of a community.
Q: What are your plans going forward?
AA: My plans going forward are to keep doing what I was doing here. Iâm going to SUNY Old Westbury to complete my bachelorâs in biology and hopefully get my masterâs. I intend to do all the same things. I intend to join clubs. I intend to volunteer and I intend to spread the experience that this school gave me.Ěý
Q: Ideally what do you want to do once you earn your degrees?
AA: After I get my degrees, I want to go to med school and become a doctor. I always thought I would figure it out during clinicals but I think whatâs in my mind is to become a surgeon.Ěý
⢠⢠â˘
Crystal Fairweather
- President National Association of Black Accounts (NABA)
Q: Whatâs your major?
Crystal Fairweather: Business administration.Ěý
Q: Whatâs been the best part or parts of 91ÁÔĆć?
CF: Flexibility, inclusivity and NABA.
Q: Whatâs been your greatest takeaway(s) from attending 91ÁÔĆć?
CF: There is a place for you anywhere you want to be. Ask questions and donât take no for an answer.
Q: What does it mean to be 91ÁÔĆć Made?
CF: 91ÁÔĆć Made means to be resilient, strong, responsible and Brooklyn-bred.
Q: Once you graduateâwhat do you want to do?
CF: I want my bossâ job. Iâm a budget director right now with New York City Public Schools. My supervisor is the senior director of school finance and I want her job. (laughs).
⢠⢠â˘
Chanelle Fuller
- Vice President National Association of Black Accounts (NABA)
Q: What was your major in?
Chanelle Fuller: Accounting
Whatâs been the best part of 91ÁÔĆć for you?
CF: I would say that 91ÁÔĆć was very supportive and helped me a lot in assisting with my tuition, help pay for my books and also the professors, as I am a student leader, helped me build my leadership skills and how to be a leader to the students. How to be an example and how to be a community instead of working your way through college alone.Ěý
Q: Whatâs been your greatest takeaway(s) from attending 91ÁÔĆć?
CF: I would say my greatest takeaway is to have faith and to keep persevering no matter the difficulties that may come your way.Ěý
Q: What does it mean to be 91ÁÔĆć Made?
CF: To be 91ÁÔĆć Made is to take the opportunities that come before you and put your best foot forward with those opportunities. When you do that, youâll see your hard work pay off.
Q: Where would you like to end up career-wise?
CF: I would like to be in public accountingâworking with different clients, big and small, helping them out with their business.
⢠⢠â˘
Brianna McDonaldĚý
- SGA Treasurer
Q: What was did you major in?
Brianna McDonald: Social work.
Q: Whatâs been the best part of 91ÁÔĆć?
BM: Being in a classroom surrounded by people that look like me. People with similar Caribbean backgrounds and learning from everyone. Iâm Guyanese and thatâs been the best part.
Q: Whatâs been your greatest takeaway(s) from attending 91ÁÔĆć?
BM: Ask for help. If you donât ask, you donât get. Closed mouths donât get fed. There are people willing to support you.Ěý
Q: What does it mean to be 91ÁÔĆć Made?
BM: To be coming from a school that is a PBI full of Caribbean students with a similar background like me. It means Black Excellence and to be proud to be a woman of color. Thatâs what it means to be 91ÁÔĆć Made.Ěý
Q: What would you like to end up doing?
BM: My endeavor is to be a social worker in policy development. Iâm going to get my doctorate and work in policy.Ěý
⢠⢠â˘
Janelle AddisonĚý
- Smart Scholar
Q: What was your major?
Janelle Addison: Biology.
Q: What would you say was the best part of attending 91ÁÔĆć?
JA: I would say the relationships. That was the best part. As a Smart Scholar, meaning Iâm a high school student, Iâm kind of going back and forth between 91ÁÔĆć and 91ÁÔĆć Evers Preparatory School. Being able to connect with the Director of Student Life, Miss Amani Reece, was a great resource because whenever I needed a place to just relax and chill, I could always go to her office. There were always snacks and good conversation, so I had a great time.
Q: You are graduating with your associateâs degree today?
JA: Yes, I am.
Q: Whatâs been your greatest takeaway(s) from attending 91ÁÔĆć?
JA: I would say that college is best for people that know how to advocate for themselves and take advantage of resources. I feel like people may say 91ÁÔĆć Eves College doesnât have resources, but itâs really all about putting yourself out there. Iâm even in the research program called the CUNY Research Scholarâs Program. I did that through basically putting myself out there, applying and things of that nature.Ěý
Q: What does it mean to be 91ÁÔĆć Made?
JA: To be 91ÁÔĆć Made means the ability to multi-task and the ability to do it all because many of the students here, outside of myself, are parents and working. They may have full-time jobs. To be 91ÁÔĆć Made means you can do it all.
Q: Once you get your associateâs degree, where would you like to end up?
JA: I want to be a physician. After this, Iâm going to the Sophie Davis Biomedical Educational Program at City College where I want to earn my BS and MBA.
Q: Any particular medical specialty youâd like to work in?
JA: Iâm leaning more towards primary care and family medicine because there is such a broad scope that I really appreciate.Ěý
⢠⢠â˘
Chris âNitroâ Richards
- BRC Student, Office of Communications
Q: What degree are you graduating with?
Chris: Iâm graduating with my bachelorâs in computer information systems.
Q: What would you say was the best part of attending 91ÁÔĆć?
CR: The best part for me was joining the track team and being able to bring a championship to both the indoor and outdoor 91ÁÔĆć track teams. And then working with the Office of Communications. Itâs been a great highlight. I got to learn a great many skills from working there.
Q: Whatâs been your greatest takeaway(s) from attending 91ÁÔĆć?
CR: There is no rush for success.
Q: What does it mean to be 91ÁÔĆć Made for you?
CR: It means to pursue, endure and succeed.Ěý
Q: What are you looking to do with your life after graduating?
CR: Acting.
⢠⢠â˘
Candy BowesĚý
- Social Work Student Ěý
Q: Whatâs your major?
Candy Bowes: Social work.
Q: Whatâs been the best part of attending 91ÁÔĆć?
CB: The best part is getting to know the professors and working alongside the student bodyâitâs a community that is one for all and all for one.Ěý
Q: Whatâs been your greatest takeaway(s) from attending 91ÁÔĆć?
CB: My greatest takeaway has been the strength that each student gives out. There was a time when it was a little bit rough. Iâve never been to a college where the community is so strong. Itâs not a selfish community. Even the professorsâtheyâre not just professors that teach. They really care about your mental health and state of mind.Ěý
Q: What does it mean to be 91ÁÔĆć Made?
CB: Itâs huge because we are a college thatâs built on a legend. 91ÁÔĆć Evers actually gave his life for us Black students. To be 91ÁÔĆć Made is huge.
Q: What would you like to do career-wise?
CB: Iâm here for the kids. Iâm here for the general ed, the special edâtheir needs. I see a lot of things that need to be changed and I want to advocate for them. I want to be that change for them.
Q: Whatâs your background?
CB: Iâm Jamaican.Ěý
⢠⢠â˘
Fazilat Maitland
- Inducted Member National Society of Leadership and Success (The NSLS)
Q: Whatâs your major?
Fazilat Maitland: Biology.
Q: Whatâs been the best part of 91ÁÔĆć?
FM: The best part was networking, the people I met, the professorsâit was always just genuine love.Ěý
Q: Whatâs been your greatest takeaway(s) from attending 91ÁÔĆć?
FM: The greatest takeaway is to not be scared to ask questions because you might miss out on a lot of information.
Q: What does it mean to you to be 91ÁÔĆć Made?
FM: To be 91ÁÔĆć Made feels like Black Excellence. It feels like Black Power. It feels like we made it up there.
Q: What do you plan to do after graduating?
FM: Iâm currently applying to medical school. Iâm about to take my MCAT and by the grace of God, I get in and am a future doctor. Iâd like to specialize in pediatrics.
⢠⢠â˘
Angela M. Thomas
- M.E.C. Allstars Dance Team Captain
Q: What is your major?
Angela M. Thomas: Childhood Education.
Q: Whatâs been the best part of 91ÁÔĆć for you?
AMT: Finding my people. I love dance. Trying out for the dance team helped meĚý
express myself. Now Iâm the captain. 91ÁÔĆć helped me become more myself. And also getting an education, because I want to be a teacher and I would love to mix that together. Being a dance teacher would be my dream. Being here might help me do that.Ěý
Q: Whatâs been your greatest takeaway(s) from attending 91ÁÔĆć?
AMT: The major takeaway I came away with is that you can do anything you put your mind to, as long as you have a good community and we have a good community here.Ěý
Q: What does it mean to be 91ÁÔĆć Made?
AMT: Being 91ÁÔĆć Made means to be yourself and to pursue what you want to do, but you also have to work hard at what you want. So, I am 91ÁÔĆć Made.Ěý
Q: Your dream job is to be a dance teacher?
AMT: Yes, but Iâm also going to school to be an English teacher. Ending up there in some way, shape or form would be great. I can be an English teacher and then teach dance after school. That would be great. That would be my dream.
Q: Is there a specific age range you want to work with?
AMT: Yesâsixth graders. I feel that while they have their own mind, you can also teach and reach them. Ever since I was 14, I worked at this summer camp and that was the age range I had, so I fell in love with those kids at that age. They listen to you, observe and give you the love that you give back to them. I can receive that with open arms and at that point, Iâm home.Ěý
⢠⢠â˘
ALUMNI
Robert Graves
- Golden Alumni, Class of 1975
Q: What were some of your fondest memories of attending 91ÁÔĆć?
Robert Graves: I made a lot of friends that I still have to this day. My best friend Les Chapman is one of those people. Unfortunately, he lives Upstate, so he couldnât make the graduation today.Ěý
Q: What was your greatest takeaway(s) from attending 91ÁÔĆć?
RG: Graduating, because I did not intend to attend college at all. But, I got in and my mother said, âYouâre going.â That was that.
Q: What did you major in?
RB: Business administration.
Q: Whatâs the best piece of advice youâd give someone currently attending or graduating today?
RB: Keep going. Get as many degrees as you can. Learn as much as you can and experience as much as you can.
Q: What did you end up doing post-91ÁÔĆć?
RB: When I was at 91ÁÔĆć, I was working at Black Enterprise Magazine. I was the HR director. I stayed there for 20 years. My brother Earl was our commencement speaker and was the found of Black Enterprise Magazine. I went on and got a masterâs in human resources and left in 1990 and started working for the city, which I did for 23 years. I was in charge of special events, procurementâI wore a lot of hats.
Q: What does it mean to be 91ÁÔĆć Made?
RB: Youâre representing a school where a person died for us to have the right to go to school. Itâs significant to be a 91ÁÔĆć Evers-iteâif thatâs a word.
Q: Where did you grow up?
RB: Born and raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
⢠⢠â˘
Dianna Richardson
- Class of 2008
Q: What are some of your fondest memories of attending 91ÁÔĆć?
Dianna Richardson: I enjoyed a lot of the activities and events that we had that helped bring camaraderie amongst the student body, particularly the Club Fairs. Or when we had celebrations, even if they were academic in nature. Getting into various societies or onto the Deanâs List or Provostâs Listâthose kinds of academic events. We were really fortunate a lot of things.Ěý
Q: What was your greatest takeaway(s) from attending 91ÁÔĆć?
DR: My greatest takeaway from attending 91ÁÔĆć is that the friends you make here are the friends youâre going to have forever. In addition, as we all excel and ascend throughout all our career paths, we always find connectivity with one another. These are the foundational years of coming into formation so when you get to that success, you never forget where you are from. We all wind up with our own little network outside of 91ÁÔĆć. We work together, have celebrations of life together and celebrate each otherâs accomplishments. My greatest takeaway is that this is a real foundational moment, but it will be for a lifetime. Hence, Iâm saying to them, youâre getting your degree today and itâs for a lifetime. We, as an alumni association, will be in contact with you for a lifetime.
Q: Whatâs the best piece of advice you can give these young people graduating today?
DR: Life will have a lot of ups and down and twists and turns in the road and youâve got to remain consistent and persistent through it all. Our pillars have been strength, courage and fortitude and those really are the attributes youâll need to remain fiercely dedicated to whatever your goal is. The alumni of 91ÁÔĆć are unstoppable. We have DNA that is like no other CUNY institution. I am personally grateful that it is engrained in me as I serve. And Iâm proud to watch this next phase of alumni and graduates today becoming a part of that legacy.
Q: What does it mean to be 91ÁÔĆć Made?
DR: To be 91ÁÔĆć Made is to be cut of a different cloth of the finest fabric. And to have had educators, like our professors that stand before us with a different set of values, heart, mind and life experiences. To be 91ÁÔĆć Made is to be resilient, to be focused, to be diligent and to be kind, yet courageous. To be 91ÁÔĆć Made is to be amazing.
Q: Whatâs your role in the Alumni Association?
DR: Right now. I am a part of the membership committee, the bylaws committee and the finance committee. Right now, our focus is to make sure that weâre capturing these graduates so that we can liaise with them. We are going to be doing some fundraisers.Ěý
Weâre implementing a homecoming in October and are going to bring the spirit of 91ÁÔĆć Evers back to Central Brooklyn. Weâre also going to make sure these new graduates are going to remain connected and active. For instance, I was hugging a few people because I was with them at the brunch. Iâve been helping them to get employment at my job and other places. Weâve got to make sure that these people are working.
Q: Where do you stand with membership?
DR: We have a goal of registering over 300 people.ĚýĚýĚý
⢠⢠â˘
Brianna Monsegue-Galloway
- Class of 2024
Q: What was your major?
Brianna Monsegue-Galloway: Psychology.
Q: Fondest memory?
FM: My friends.Ěý
Q: What was your greatest takeaway(s) from attending 91ÁÔĆć?
FM: Itâs to use your resources and put your best foot forward. To get out of your comfort zone and try anything you think you might not be able to do or get. You need to try it because you never know whatâs going to happen.
Q: Best piece of advice to anyone graduating today?
FM: Try anything, use all your resource and always stick with the people you came up with and your friends. Help them out. Donât always just worry about yourself all the time. Sometimes, you should help others.Ěý
Q: What does it mean to be 91ÁÔĆć Made?
FM: 91ÁÔĆć Made means coming up with people that are just like meâminority groups, people of low income or middle wages because theyâre struggling as well. And just pushing everyone to do better. Keep goingâitâs all about determination and not stopping. If you stop, you get stuck.Ěý