Our office looked for ways to be creative for engagement with our alumni. The climate on COVID-19 and death of George Floyd heightened the nation’s attention on health professionals, educators, and African Americans. It was decided to detail and tell the stories of Miami University Black alumni in healthcare and education professions on our social media platforms.
Dating back to late March when work was being done remotely, I highlighted 178 Black alumni in both professional fields on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. The profiles included presidents of universities, medical doctors, professors, clinical researchers, nurses, etc. We received great feedback within our Black alumni community and the greater Miami University community. It created great excitement within the Black alumni community. They take pride in their professions. Those who were highlighted were able to learn of other Black alumni who do similar work. This was important and significant because Blacks are one of Miami's underrepresented groups. The community comprises of around 2.3 percent of the total alumni population.
One of the most popular posts was Dr. Deena Chisolm. Chisolm, who received a bachelor’s degree in education, was appointed to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's task force to examine health disparities of minorities who were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. She also chairs the Ohio Commission of Minority Health. I described her story of how she was influenced to attend Miami in part because of her grandfather, who played baseball for Miami in the 1940s.
