The Culverhouse African American Alumni Network (CAAAN) Conference will be held on February 28, 2025, on The University of Alabama campus. CAAAN is designed to provide a platform for engagement and connection between African American Culverhouse alumni and current Culverhouse students and to recognize early Culverhouse graduates and outstanding achievements among African American alumni.
The Alumni Recognition Luncheon will be held in conjunction with the CAAAN Student Development Conference on Friday, February 28 at 11:00 a.m. on The University of Alabama campus. The luncheon will highlight and celebrate the professional and societal contributions of exemplary alumni of the Culverhouse College of Business.
Proceeds from the event support the Culture and Success Support Fund. This event is targeted outreach that supports recruiting and academic success. It is open to everyone. The content is beneficial for all students and professionals.
Culverhouse African American Alumni Recognition Luncheon is an annual gathering to highlight and celebrate the professional and societal contributions of exemplary alumni of the Culverhouse College of Business and is held in conjunction with the Culverhouse African American Alumni Network Conference.
Conference Schedule
Coming soon!
Confirmed panelists. Session order is tentative.
Alston Hall, Rm 30
12:15 – 12:45
2024 Alumni Honorees
Nan Baldwin, Vide President, Chamber Operations, Birmingham Business Alliance
Lt. Gen. Gwen Bingham, 3-Star General, U.S. Army, Retired
Wiley Mullins, President and Owner, Wiley’s, Inc.
Moderator: Dr. Alice Holloway, Entrepreneur and Clinical Instructor, Culverhouse Management Department
1:00 – 1:50
What I Would Tell My College Self
Calvin Dunning II, SVP, Director of Community Development, FirstBank
Arielle Hurst, Senior Consultant, IBM
Brittney Galloway Malone, International Marketing and Communications Representative, Lockheed Martin
Moderator: Nick Givens, VP of Cybersecurity Engineering/Architecture/Product, Walmart
2:00 – 2:50
Navigating Career Choices
Cara Weaver Fields, VP & General Manager, Southeast States at AT&T
Daryl Grant, Principal, Financial Services, KPMG Advisory Services
Kimberly L. Jackson, Government and Community Relations Manager, Alabama Power Company
Moderator: Leigh Davis, Culverhouse Women’s Initiative Advisory Board Member, SVP Marketing & Economic Development, Alabama Power Company
3:00 – 3:50
Preparing Yourself to Manage People
Andre Anderson, First VP and Chief Operating Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Samuel Moses, VP of Corporate Systems at The Home Depot
TK Smith, Head of Business Execution, Citi HR, Global Diversity & Talent Management
Moderator: Tracy Croom, Director of Financial Management, Federal Reserve Bank
4:00 – 4:50
Insights from Owners/Entrepreneurs
James Kemp Jr, Vice President of KMS Family of Companies
Rashada LeRoy, President and CEO at LRY Media Group
Thomas Walker, Enterprise-Level Account Manager, DoorDash
Moderator: Dr. Theresa M. Welbourne, Executive Director of the Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute
5:00 – 6:00
Networking Session: Appetizers and Other Refreshments Provided
Alston Parlor, 4th Fl, Alston Hall
1:15
Honorees Speak at First Conference Session
General Admission | $100
General Admission | $50
UA Student Admission
(ID Required) | $25
Support a student by sending them a ticket to the 2024 CAAAN Conference.
Donation Cost | $25
General proceeds go to the Culture and Success Support Fund.
National Black MBA Association Manderson Graduate School of Business
Black Alumni Association
Contact Franny Jones about sponsorship opportunities or questions.
Organization Fair tabling fee proceeds go to participating student organizations.
General proceeds go to the DEI Support Fund.
Ed Fields, Senior Advisor and Chief Strategist for the City of Birmingham Mayor’s Office
Mildred Black, Founder and CEO, People Optimum Consulting, LLC
Ryan Coleman, Senior New Logo Program Manager, Salesforce
Tracy Croom, Director of Financial Management, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Alesia Jones, Former Chief HR Officer, University of Alabama – Birmingham; Principal Consultant and Owner of AMJ HR Solutions, LLC
Kenneth Kelly, Chairman and CEO, First Independence Corporation and First Independence Bank
James Kemp, Co-founder & CEO, Frameworq and Director, Kemp Management Solutions
Larry Lewis, CEO, BizTech and President, PROJECTXYZ
Kelsi Long, Attorney, Balch & Bingham, LLP
Kelly Mehrtens, Executive Director, The Trust (Powered by the NFLPA)
Del Smith, Co-founder and CEO, Acclinate
Isaiah Young, Associate Director of Career Services, Manderson Graduate School of Business at The University of Alabama