Mission

To improve the community by providing Black students, staff, faculty, and others with the opportunity to volunteer

Objectives

• To help the volunteer programs of established Black organizations on campus to identify appropriate opportunities for service
• To provide Black students, staff, faculty, and others, regardless of their affiliations to other organizations, with opportunities to volunteer for service through network
• To serve the community through a concerted effort. BVN aspires to efficiently and effectively address the needs of the Black community first, and then assist in addressing the needs of the multi-diverse community

History

The Black Volunteer Network was founded on December 8, 1994 by Andre Hewitt, Trinity Townsend, Rick Turner, Deborah Chenault, and Greg White from their vision to unite the Black community by establishing a method for Blacks to identify appropriates service options. They believed that volunteering was a direct approach to breaking down ideologies that separate society socially, economically, and racially. These values were displayed in the plethora of service opportunities that BVN was involved in. The Ronald McDonald House, Stepp, Bethel A.M.E. tutoring, Teach Rising Youth, the Father Patrick Jackson House, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Sunrise Nursing Home are just a few of the past sites of the organization. BVN has continued the legacy of its founders through its mass events and group sites. It established itself as a h2 entity on campus through its large community events, MLK Weekend and Hoops Hoopla. More recently, Soul on Ice was instituted as a staple event and is used as a fundraising effort for a community cause. Additionally, BVN has expanded its network to areas outside of the Michigan community by participating in Alternative Spring Break. With outstanding support and determined leaders, BVN has been able to address the needs of many communities and will continue to thrive through the dedication of its members and the University of Michigan community.

Executive Board

• President

  
  Ryanna Robinson, Junior (ryannacr@umich.edu)

• Vice President

  
  Adrienne Pack, Junior (apack@umich.edu)

• Secretary

  
  Semhar Tesfai, Junior (stesfai@umich.edu)

• Tresurer

  
  Erika Sherman, Junior (ensherm@umich.edu)

• Historian

  
  Ronye Craft, Junior (ronyejc@umich.edu)

• Community Service Coordinator

  
  Dia Bright-Johnson, Junior (diabj@umich.edu)

• Community Service Coordinator

  
  Alexandria Gardner, Junior (alexsg@umich.edu)

• MLK Coordinator

  
  Ariam Abraham, Sophomore (airamabe@umich.edu)

• MLK Coordinator

  
  Alex Smedley, Sophomore (asmedley@umich.edu)

• ASB Coordinator

  
  Shannon Smith, Junior (shansmith@umich.edu)

• ASB Coordinator

  
  Tegest Walker, Sophmore (tegest@umich.edu)