2025

Culverhouse African American
Alumni Network

Student Development Conference & Alumni Recognition Luncheon

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 28rd 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

February 28, 2025, 11:00 a.m.

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

Meet The 2024 Honorees

Baldwin headshot

Nan Baldwin

Business Administration, UA

President, Chamber & Advocacy, Birmingham Business Alliance

Bingham

Lt. Gen. Gwen Bingham

Commerce & Business Administration, UA (1981)

Lt. Gen. United States Army (ret.)

Wiley-Mullins-2021-Pic

Wiley Mullins

Commerce & Business Administration, UA

Founder & President, Uncle Wiley’s Specialty Foods, Inc.

Conference + Lunch

General Admission  |  $100

Conference Only

General Admission  |  $50 

UA Student Conference

UA Student Admission
(ID Required)  |  $25

Donate a Ticket!

Support a student by sending them a ticket to the 2024 CAAAN Conference.

Donation Cost  |  $25

Sponsorship Opportunities

General proceeds go to the Culture and Success Support Fund.

Inspiration Level

$ 5,000 +
  • Podium Time to Speak as Overall Sponsor
  • Name and/or Logo on Website, and Event Materials
  • Name and/or Logo on Signage
  • Eight Complimentary Tickets to Luncheon

Mentor Level

$ 2,500-4,999
  • Name and/or Logo on Website, and Event Materials
  • Name and/or Logo on Signage
  • Six Complimentary Tickets to Luncheon

Support Level

$ 1,000-2,499
  • Name and/or Logo on Website, and Event Materials
  • Three Complimentary Tickets to Luncheon

Engagement Level

Up to $1,000
  • Name on select event materials
Kenneth Kelly
Sherrie LeMier

National Black MBA Association Manderson Graduate School of Business

Black Alumni Association

Contact Franny Jones about sponsorship opportunities or questions.

Organization Fair Tables

$ 100
  • Placed in networking area (Hewson Atrium) from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
  • One Conference Registration

Organization Fair tabling fee proceeds go to participating student organizations.

General proceeds go to the DEI Support Fund.

CAAAN Advisory Board

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

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