Community Activities

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WHAT’s YOUR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BEEN UP TO?

The Friends of the 60s/Alton Black Alumni Association (FOS/ABAA) decided to build on the success of our biennial reunion event. We made community involvement our year-round responsibility.  Following are a few 2015 highlights:

  • FOS/ABAA became more broadly involved in community-wide activities
  • Supported opening of new Grassroots Grocery ($120 donation)
  • Participated in Juneteenth
  • Supported National Council of Negro Women 2015 Debutante Ball
  • Participated in A Precious Organization 3rd Annual Sickle Cell Walk and donated $125 to the cause
  • Supported the Miles Davis Memorial Project (high profile participation and financial support – donated $400 for signature granite block at Miles Davis monument site)
  • Brought the community together for fun-filled Trivia Night (scholarship fundraiser) event
  • Recognized / Supported Mr. Richard Johnson –FOS/ABAA was well represented at his 90th birthday celebration

Note:  During the 60’s Mr. Johnson was a mentor/role model extraordinaire to so many of our black male students.  He has attended all of our biennial reunion events.

  • December 2015 – Donated $50 holiday gift cards to 5 needy families (consulted with Alton school administrators)
  • FOS/ABAA conducted our first annual Strategic Planning Workshop
  • Defined our Mission, Vision, Values and Goals
  • Decided to transition from a social-only organization to a civic/community-focused entity
  • Formally changed the name from Alton Friends of the 60’s/Alton Black Alumni…to…Friends of the 60’s/Alton Black Alumni Association…and applied for 501c3 and charitable, not-for-profit status
  • FOS/ABAA established the Leo C. Cox Scholarship Fund – will award 1st scholarship in 2016.

 

Project History and Dedication Program

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MD-musical note platformFOS-ABA MDavis Block-2FOS-ABA MDavis Block

MD Crowd3 Miles Statue_rearview

Miles up close

Miles Davis Sculpture-PrestonJackson_JimKillion_9-12-15

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Carol-Michele State Sen Haine
GeorgeTerry_Miles_crowd

 

Alton Memorial Day Parade – May 2018

 

Shout out to Darryl for driving his car and representing us in the parade!

Shout out to our newest Alumni members!!

Jeanea Class of 2019, Chandler Class of 2018, Savanna Class of 2016 (McCluer North), Diarra Class of 2018.

You helped make our parade venture a success!

Big Thanks to all the Alumni members who helped make this event a success!

 

5th Annual Walk for Sickle Cell  – September 2017

FOS helped raise awareness of sickle cell disease.

 

Sickle Cell Walk-a-thon – 9/12/15

There was a great community turn-out for this worthy event and FOS/ABAA was well represented.

Sep19_SickleCell Walk Sickle Cell Walk-a-thon

 

 

Juneteenth – 6/13/15

FOS/ABAA board member, Lee Barham, worked closely with NCNW to make this annual event a huge success.

 

Grass roots Grocery – Summer 2015

We were a financial donor in support of the opening of this community-focused grocer (Ridge Street )

Grassroots Grocery is:

– A democratically managed by member-owners store, providing the leadership and support to develop the resiliency and collaborative skills we need for a truly inclusive and just community. – An economically viable cooperative grocery that makes healthy food more accessible to all. – A local food distribution system that keeps money circulating in the local economy and supports new sustainable development. – A place of community engagement of diverse stakeholders (neighborhoods, schools, churches, local government, parks, and other groups and individuals) to improve health , self-reliance, community wellness, and shared opportunities.

Youth Scholarship Program – launched in 2015

Our first annual scholarship will be awarded in 2016.