Celebrating Carolina’s Diversity
The Alumni Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity (ACRED) is dedicated to serving Carolina’s multi-cultural communities by engaging all alumni in the life of the university, and forging deeper and lasting relationships between Carolina and its racially and ethnically diverse constituents. For more information about ACRED, please send a message to acred@unc.edu.
The Alumni Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity is open to all Carolina alumni.
A message from ACRED chair Dwight Jacobs
Alumni and Friends,
Welcome to this edition of the newsletter from the UNC Alumni Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity (ACRED). I’m Dwight Jacobs, and I am honored to serve as chair of a group dedicated to engaging diverse alumni in the life of our University.
ACRED proudly supports initiatives across campus, contributing to a wide range of schools, centers and programs at Carolina. Just as importantly, we stay connected with alumni and friends, sharing what we’re learning about the University and its future. Through these efforts, we aim to strengthen engagement and expand support for Carolina.
This past year, ACRED members have been actively sharing the Carolina story:
Latino Subcommittee: Members supported the Carolina Latinx Center’s first alumni reunion, Nuestra Reunión, Tar Heels, held November 7–8, 2025, during Homecoming. The weekend, organized with the Carolina Alumni Nuestro Network, brought alumni and students together for family-friendly festivities, including drinks and dancing, an open house at the Carolina Latinx Center, and other celebratory events.
African American Subcommittee: On November 18, 2025, the subcommittee hosted an Icons Living virtual program highlighting African American women who have made their mark in the military. Alumni from across the country joined to view a panel featuring CW5 Traci A. Goodwin ’85, U.S. Army (Retired); Lt. Col. Pamela B. Lucas ’86, U.S. Army (Retired); and Col. Sandra Fay Wilson ’80, U.S. Air Force (Retired). The discussion explored how their Carolina experiences shaped their leadership journeys, the challenges they faced and why they remain deeply engaged with the University today.
Asian American Subcommittee: Spearheaded and sponsored by members Jeff Huang, Hans Huang (current chair), and former chair Oliver Pau, the group hosted a high‑energy pop‑up reception ahead of the January 17, 2026, Journey Into Asia showcase at Memorial Hall. Catered by Luche Tigre, the event drew more than 50 alumni and a strong turnout of student leaders for food, Carolina swag and cross‑generational fellowship, with special and exclusive VIP seating reserved for attendees. The reception also highlighted collaborative fundraising for the Asian American Student’s Union and the Asian American Center (AAC), which offered an exclusive advanced preview of its Southern Voices 2.0 traveling project. The strong response established alumni desire and commitment while setting the foundation for this pop‑up reception to become an annual signature event in addition to expanding to cities nationwide to strengthen ties between alumni, students and the AAC.
American Indian Subcommittee: Now in its fourth year, the subcommittee’s breakfast social welcomed its largest gathering yet of alumni, students and friends. Held prior to the Carolina Indian Circle Powwow, the event provides University updates and meaningful connection time as alumni and others prepare to participate in the annual student-run celebration of Native American culture through traditional dancing, drumming and singing. At the breakfast, we honored the late Dr. Joey Bell ’82, ’86 (MD), a member of the American Indian Subcommittee, who passed away June 16, 2025.
GiveUNC: We are looking forward to March 24, 2026, when Carolina celebrates GiveUNC, our ninth annual day of giving. This 24-hour event unites Tar Heels everywhere in support of the causes that matter most to them and inspires generosity across our community. Several ACRED members are participating in giving challenges, and we hope you will consider helping them meet — and exceed — their goals.
We always enjoy reconnecting with Carolina, and we hope the stories in this newsletter help you reconnect as well. To learn more about ACRED, visit acred.unc.edu or email us at acred@unc.edu.
As always, Go Heels!
Dwight Jacobs ’87
ACRED Chair