The Sumner Academy Black Alumni Network is an alumni organization for black graduates of Sumner Academy of Arts & Sciences. The network’s goal is to build a strong social and professional network of black alumni, and help to facilitate black alumni engagement with Sumner Academy. Sumner Academy black alumni represent an expansive network of individuals with knowledge, experience and other resources that would benefit Sumner Academy students. We encourage all alumni to reach back to engage meaningfully with Sumner Academy and its students.
Sumner Academy Black Alumni Highlights
Sumner Academy Black Alumni contribute meaningfully to their career fields and communities
Nichole Pinkard (Class of 1988), PhD, Associate Professor, School of Education and Social Policy, Northwestern University Pinkard is an Associate Professor in the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University. She is the founder of Digital Youth Network, Continue Reading ...
Earl Cole (Class of ’89), Head of Business Development & Content, North America at Brave Spark, Sole Survivor Fiji Earl Cole is currently the Head of Business Development & Content at Brave Spark. In previous positions, Cole worked as a Continue Reading ...
Dennis Williams (Class of 1990), Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Corporate Social Responsibility, Home Box Office, Inc (HBO) A 20-year HBO veteran, Williams joined the company in November 1997 in Human Resources as an employment recruiter. In September 1998, he Continue Reading ...
Melvin L. Butler (Class of 1988), MA, PhD, Associate Professor of Musicology, University of Miami Melvin Butler is an Associate Professor in the Department of Musicology at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. He specializes Continue Reading ...
Patsy McNeil-Hooker (Class of 1988), M.D., Emergency Physician & Chief of Patient Experience, USACS East Patsy McNei-Hooker works as an Emergency Physician in Maryland, and the Chief of Patient Experience of USACS East. Previously, was a campus partner of MEP Continue Reading ...
Jonathan Bell (Class of 1995), MA, J.D., PhD, Senior Associate Producer, Urban American Outdoors Jonathan Bell is the senior associate producer of the award-winning outdoor lifestyle television show, Urban American Outdoors. A corporate and political communications strategist turned conservation advocate; Continue Reading ...
Dawn Porter, M.D. (Class of 1983), Founder and CEO of Family Renewed, LLC and Board Certified Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist Dawn M. Porter is a Board Certified Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist in practice for over 20 years. As a Continue Reading ...
Rick Ray (Class of 1988), MA, Southeast Missouri State Head Basketball Coach Rick Ray is in his third year as Southeast Missouri’s head coach. Rick Ray, introduced as the 20th head coach in Southeast Missouri men’s basketball history on April Continue Reading ...
Dianna Ward, MA (Class of ’86), Executive Director of Charlotte B-cycle and Owner of Charlotte NC Tours and Greenville Glides An ambitious and successful entrepreneur, Dianna Ward owns the parent company Charlotte NC Tours, LLC, which extends through three states and comprises Continue Reading ...
