Hulon Willis Association (HWA)
Hulon L. Willis Sr. M.Ed. ’56 was the first Black graduate of William & Mary and served as a pioneer for those who have followed in his footsteps. To honor his legacy and memory, the Hulon Willis Association was formed in 1992. The Hulon Willis Association, as a part of the William & Mary Alumni Association, is dedicated to continued and sustained engagement of alumni of Black or African descent. It seeks to provide alumni opportunities to build community through connection with fellow alumni, students and alma mater. To this end, the Hulon Willis Association engages alumni through programmatic, leadership and philanthropic efforts.
Asian Centennial Celebration Events
William & Mary will celebrate the Asian Centennial commemorating the admission of Chen Pu-Kao '23, the first student from Asia, and celebrate the contribution of the preceding generations of students of Asian, Pacific Islander and Middle Eastern descent during the 2021 - 2022 academic year. This auspicious milestone allows us to reflect on the onset of inclusion amidst the overwhelming exclusion of African Americans from matriculating in the university.
Engage Online
Looking to connect with fellow alumni on social media? Be sure to like and follow the Hulon Willis Association page on Facebook! You will receive updates about upcoming events and have an opportunity to make connections with alumni near and far.
Scholarships
This Hulon L. Willis, Sr. Memorial Scholarship is named in honor of Hulon L. Willis Sr. M.Ed. ’56, the first African-American student to attend William & Mary. It provides undergraduate scholarship assistance to students with a record of leadership and/or service to the multicultural university and/or local community with a preference for need-based support.
Leadership
The Hulon Willis Association operates through a strong collaboration between a board of volunteer leaders and the alumni association.
Upcoming Events
Stay connected and in the know about upcoming events.
W&M is proud to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month. Please join the William & Mary community as we celebrate Latinx heritage month. For more information, visit: bit.ly/WMLHM2021
More InformationThrive wherever life takes you with this series of programs designed for Young Guarde alumni (Classes 2011-2021). Join us Sept. 8-30 for a series of virtual and in-person events to help you transition to life after W&M.
Register for this EventArt & Art History's Studio Art 2021 Senior Exhibition "Collective Imagination" NOW ONLINEGraduating Seniors, Abigail Daniel, Leah Moyer, Jorden Solet, Evan Squires and Iris Wu
More InformationMeet remotely to learn about and engage with the effects of historical and present-day education segregation in America. We will read a variety of resources and engage with experts. Opportunities for action and advocacy will also be shared.
Register for this EventDr. Emily Wilcox of the William & Mary Department of Modern Languages and Literatures will present her research on movement, Third World Unity, and decolonization. Please email [[jdcarlson]] for Zoom link.
Women's Law is honored to partner with Here for the Girls (H4TG), a local nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of young people impacted by breast cancer. On 9/29 at 1pm, join us to hear from the H4TG team and learn more about their mission.
Join Professor Heymann, Prof. Hamilton, and Dean Shepherd for First Generation Student Alliance’s virtual program on the “Hidden Curriculum” of law school.
More InformationJoin Elyas Bakhtiari, assistant professor of sociology at William & Mary, for a presentation about how to incorporate Middle Eastern and North African Americans into health disparities research.
Register for this EventCarlos Rivera Santana & Robin Ellis"Unpacking Indigenous Acknowledgement: A Decolonial Discussion Revolving around the 1723 William & Mary Brafferton 'Indian' School"Also streamed on Zoom
More InformationJoin Dr. Coralis Solomon, clinical assistant professor in the W&M School of Education, for a virtual Healing Circle designed to support the Latinx community at the university.
Register for this EventMeet up with the W&M community in South Hampton Roads!
Register for this EventCSO's annual fall culture show and dinner.
As part of our month-long Oystober celebration, we invite you to attend a special Oyster Tour at VIMS!
Register for this EventYou won't want to miss this opportunity to reconnect with friends and celebrate alma mater.
More InformationStop by the main foyer of the Alumni House to browse and purchase exclusive W&M gifts and gear from the William & Mary Alumni Association! We hope you enjoy wearing, giving and displaying these exclusive items as much as we enjoy bringing them to you.
More Information"Sacred 'Manumissions' and Sanctuaries" title of our Annual Lee Lecture to be given by Professor Elizabeth Meyer , University of Virginia.
Reconnect during a pre-game tailgate with the Hulon Willis Association, representing alumni of Black and of African descent. We will gather outside of the newly renovated Alumni House for great food, good music and an all-around great time!
More Information
On-Demand Webinars
Intersection of Race and Covid-19
Recorded on July 16, 2020
The Intersection of COVID-19 and Race is an honest discussion surrounding health disparities and the ways in which COVID-19 effects marginalized populations. We will be joined by three panelists.
Mo Barbosa is the director of community engagement at Health Resources in Action (HRiA).
Professor Iyabo Obasanjo teaches public health courses at William & Mary. She has a Ph.D. in epidemiology from Cornell University, a master’s from University of California, Davis and a veterinary degree from University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Professor Angela Odoms-Young is an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition and associate director of research and education for the Office of Community Engagement and Neighborhood Health Partnerships at University of Illinois at Chicago.
Invisible Racism
Recorded on October 7, 2020
Join author of Daughters of the Dream: Eight Girls from Richmond who Grew Up in the Civil Rights Era, Tamara Copeland '73 and moderator Viola Baskerville '73 as they discuss issues of race and invisible racism.
Adjusting Your Crown: The History of Black Hair and the Crown Act
Recorded on December 7, 2020
The CROWN Coalition established the CROWN Act in 2019. This is a movement to eliminate discrimination of race-based hairstyles.
Have you ever felt the need to change your natural hair texture to fit a professional “norm”? Has your natural hair ever been ridiculed for its texture and appearance?
We will be joined by three panelists for a discussion of the history and language around black hair. We will also discuss the CROWN Act and its implications for people of color in America. Interested in learning more about the CROWN Act? Visit https://www.thecrownact.com/.
Giving Opportunities:
Hulon Willis Association Operating Account (2101) - W&M Alumni Association
This fund supports the programming of the Hulon Willis Association, including alumni events and regional programming.
Hulon L. Willis, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Endowment (1695) - William & Mary Foundation
This fund is named in honor of Hulon L. Willis Sr. M.Ed. ’56, the first African American student to attend William & Mary. It provides undergraduate scholarship assistance to students with a record of leadership and/or service to the multicultural university and/or local community with a preference for need-based support.
For more information:
- Valerie Wilkins , Associate Director Alumni Admission & Inclusion Initiatives
- (757) 221-2514
- vtwilkins@wm.edu