Journey to Becoming:
The Start of the CCU Black Alumni Chapter
Alumni, Tabitha D. James (BS, ‘13) and Ryan Wilson (BS, ‘10), share memories of the origins of the Black Alumni Chapter and how at its core, it continues to be a work of heart.
An affinity group holds a meaning of value and significance in just its connotation. The Coastal Black Alumni Chapter, the first officially recognized chapter and affinity group of the Coastal Carolina Alumni Association was fueled by the proverbial “hope and a dream” of several devoted and passionate alumni from its very beginning. These alumni carried within themselves a fervent desire to advance efforts of supporting and celebrating Black students on the campus and fellow alumni around the world.
With appreciation and much gratitude given to the Coastal African American Professionals (CAP)—an earlier group of Black alumni that formed in the late 90s to early 2000s, and who also dedicated themselves to providing mentorship and 
networking to Black students and alumni—the Coastal Black Alumni Chapter endeavors to expand its reach, and live out a fundamental mission as it heeds the call to inspire and engage its members, one meaningful step at a time.
Tabitha D. James ’13 and Ryan Wilson ’10, know about much of the work that had to be done to make the Chapter a reality. As founding members, they along with fellow founding members including Woody Ford ’05, Dr. Treda Smith Grayson ’99, Keri McKelvey ’09, Amber Campbell-Moore ’04, Rahiem Burgess ’17, Octavia Drummond ’14, Meghan Delaney ’13, and Thomas Squire ’11—were involved in building the foundation and laying the groundwork for the affinity group—taking it from a point of interest to an authentic collective of individuals, focused on fostering meaningful and engaging experiences for Black students and alumni.
James earned a degree in Hospitality, Resort, and Tourism Management, and while a student, found was very involved in campus life. “I immersed myself in activities on campus and in the surrounding Conway, Horry County community,” she says, “I was a member of Leadership Challenge, NAACP, Snap Mentoring Program, Dalton and Linda Floyd Mentoring Program, Eta Sigma Delta National Honor Society, and the CCU Young Democrats Club. There were a few others as well, but as you can see, I really loved being involved!”
Wilson earned a degree in Recreation and Sports Management, transferring from the University of South Carolina. “Being a transfer student, at times it was difficult to get the full-on experience of campus life because you’re transitioning from one institution to another,” says Wilson, “But a hobby and love for radio and media, ignited an opportunity in broadcasting for me. I helped to launch WCCU Radio at Coastal, which was really exciting! I had a show on the station for about two years, and those were very fun times.”
Their love for their alma mater kept them connected to campus life beyond graduation, routinely returning to Conway for events and engagements, including annual Homecomings. It was at one of those Homecoming talks for creating the
Black Alumni Chapter began. “I think it was a 2016 Homecoming,” recalls James, “I was not involved with the initial conversations for forming a Chapter but was looped in shortly after. I had the pleasure of working alongside an amazing group of Black alumni to officially bring the vision to life.”
Wilson’s recollections of the Chapter’s origins go a few months back, prior to the 2016 Homecoming. “Tensions were high amongst many in the Black community and police officers around that time,” says Wilson, “Our campus is our family and community, so we felt it important to find more substantial ways to have representation and support for Black students.”
Inspired by a conversation and meeting with Travis Overton, Vice President for Executive Initiatives/Chief of Staff at Coastal, Wilson and others were encouraged to form a Black Alumni Chapter. Subsequent meetings with Overton and then Director of Alumni Relations, Jean Ann Brakefield, turned a chance meeting into a beneficial opportunity. “I officially, yet unofficially, became the liaison and spokesperson for the development of the Chapter,” Wilson says with a smile, “We created a Group Me thread and I would relay information from talks with Mr. Overton and Ms. Brakefield to the group. I was ultimately nominated and voted in to become president and accepted the role. Thankfully I had Tabitha’s help, which was tremendous. We were like co-presidents.”
“It was important for me to lend efforts to creating the Chapter because I felt it would be a great addition to our alumni association,” James adds, “I was confident that our formation would help to support the unique needs and challenges of Black students, alumni, and their families. As a past leader and engaged alumni, I was ready and eager to be involved in the work.”
Months and a few years of planning, meetings, and strategizing, led to significant milestones that both James and Wilson are still proud of today. “The most significant milestone was the Chapter being chartered,” James says, “It was wonderful to see that our efforts did not go in vain.” The Chapter that became an official affinity group in Spring 2017, 
with the first official board meeting and adoption of bylaws taking place in the Fall of 2022 in the Allen Ballroom of the Singleton Building.
“Coming together and forming the vision is actually a milestone I hold dear,” Wilson adds, “It was hard work, but many of us persevered and we did not relent to see it through. The bylaws coming to fruition and Black Alumni Weekend were also significant moments.”
“Black Alumni Weekend was definitely another milestone we made,” says James, “Also, supporting the efforts to help get the Pat Singleton-Young scholarship endowed was a huge achievement. In 2022 we held our first Black Alumni Chapter Meeting and Bylaw adoption in Singleton. It was huge for us.”
Pat Singleton-Young, who retired from CCU in 2018 after 38 years of service, served as Director of Multicultural Student Services, now known as Intercultural and Inclusion Student Services. A beloved figure for many of Coastal’s students, especially its minority population, Singleton-Young was also honored by the University with a residence hall named after her.
“Having Ms. Pat’s scholarship become endowed was a goal of mine, and I was not going to step down until that dream was realized,” Wilson adds, “Everyone that knows Ms. Pat, knows she was like a mom to so many of us. We were able to
get donors inside the Chapter and from the community to support the scholarship, so it really speaks volumes towards Ms. Pat’s legacy.”
Homecoming hosts a number of signature events for the Chapter and affiliated campus organizations and departments. The annual Black Alumni Weekend takes place during Homecoming and provides Black alumni an opportunity to celebrate alongside their fellow Chant family as they take in tailgating festivities, an annual Chapter meeting and awards event, and a step show, hosted by the National Panhellenic Council (NPHC). “We also partner with the Intercultural and Inclusion Student Services (IISS) Summit during the Spring semester, and the Donning of the Kente ceremony, an event held in honor of each semester’s Black graduates,” says James.
Graduates honored at the Kente ceremony are then welcomed to the Black Alumni Chapter. “We recognize the achievements of our Black graduates, and we are honored to have them become members of the Chapter upon graduation,” says James, “Their CCU journey continues to flourish within the Chapter as they network, engage, and support the alumni association at large, and the initiatives of our affinity group.”
The Chapter ultimately becoming a reality also culminated into an honor for James and Wilson’s commitment to its development. The Tabitha D. James Black Student Leader of the Year and the Ryan Wilson Black Alumnus of the Year award were installed during the 2022 annual Black Alumni Chapter 
meeting and Bylaw adoption. Its formal name was proposed and adopted by the Chapter’s board and kept secret from James and Wilson for its unveiling. The awards are open for nominations annually to students and alumni who would like to nominate exceptional students and/or alumni they believe to have made significant contributions on campus, in their industry, through philanthropic efforts, or in their community.
The Chapter continues to abound and go forth in developing new initiatives and ideas for engaging and supporting Black students and alumni. Enriched experiences and moments of inspiration will serve it well into the future.
“I hope to see the Chapter continue to attract a diverse team of leaders from a variety of ages and industries,” says James, “We would also love to see a mentoring program and ultimately an endowed scholar program. From a global perspective, ambassadors for the Chapter could represent its mission and initiatives in their respective country, state,
or city. I really cannot wait to see what the future holds!”
“It’s about giving back and making a difference,” Wilson adds, “We should not only remain connected as graduates but reach back and mentor the current Black students attending Coastal. We can come back to our alma mater, even outside of Homecoming, to participate in panels, symposiums, and activities, that will help others realize and reach their full potential.”