What better place to start “celebrating our heritage and elevating our world” ­ the theme of this year’s Bolin Reunion in Chicago ­ than the DuSable Museum, named after the Haitian fur trader who was the first permanent settler of the town that began Chicago. On Friday evening, members of Williams Black Alumni Network and the Williams Regional Association of Chicago came together at this museum of African American history to kick off a weekend of dialogue and fellowship in honor of Williams’ first black alumnus, Gaius C. Bolin, Class of 1889. At a reception with President Morty Schapiro, guests heard remarks by Dan Perkins ’78 and Akilah Rogers ’04, and enjoyed a fascinating museum tour.

Next morning at the Westin Hotel, introductions from Sheldon Ross ’82, President of the Chicago Regional Alumni Association, started off a day of enthusiastic conversation and reflection. Following a discussion with President Schapiro on the state of the College, a panel discussion on Blacks in Business featured Kila Weaver ’94, Nate Paige ’91, Steve Rogers ’79, Clarence Otis ’77, Debbie Gould ’76, Elrick Williams ’69, and Steve Rogers ’79. College Trustees and Provost, Cappy Hill ’76 sought advice from guests on how to make Williams more meaningful in their lives. Dan Perkins ’78 brought the morning and afternoon sessions to a close by showcasing impressive work Chicago alumni have been doing in Chicago inner-city Catholic schools.

After a trolley tour of Chicago’s Black history and city highlights, everyone reconvened for the formal dinner, which began with heartfelt words from Gaius Bolin’s grandson, Lionel Bolin ’48. John Rogers, CEO of Ariel Capital Management, gave the keynote speech, which was followed by the presentation of WBAN’s first-ever Achievement Awards to Laylah Ali ’91, Anna Waring ’78, Clarence Otis ’77, Clarence Wilson ’67, Deborah Gould ’76, and John Rogers. After the formalities, everyone enjoyed the evening’s entertainment, singer Alisa Simms and her band.

The Farewell Brunch on Sunday morning began with a panel featuring Greg Avis ’80, Anna Waring ’78, Dan Perkins ’78, John Raitt ’78, and Terri Autry-Williams ’03, all of whom are devoted community service leaders. Linda Tucker ’77 read two poems, one of which was written by Sterling Brown ’22, and then Camille Henderson Zorich eloquently discussed her research on the integration of Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago, and related it to the Williams Diversity Initiative. Valda Christian ’92, chair of WBAN, gave a touching final farewell and good wishes.

Keep an eye out for the next edition of Williams People for more on the Bolin Reunion.