Columbia Welcomes the 14th Cohort of A’Lelia Bundles Community Scholars

On Oct. 27, the 14th cohort of A’Lelia Bundles Community Scholars gathered on Columbia University’s campus to be celebrated by past cohorts, faculty and staff, community leaders, and program namesake A’Lelia Bundles herself.

Bundles Scholars are members of the Upper Manhattan community who receive a three-year affiliation with Columbia and access to campus resources while they work independently on a project or skill that relates to or benefits their community. The scholars join an intellectual community with the other participants in the program and have opportunities to connect with life and learning across the University.

This year’s cohort includes: Sanayi Beckles-Canton, Dario Calmese, Alvin Irby, Derrick Johnson, Magalie Kalukula, and Tyron Pope. 

Scholars from multiple cohorts mingled over small plates as the newest scholars excitedly shared overviews of their projects. 

Remarks were given by Virginia Lam Abrams, Senior Vice President of Communications in Columbia’s Office of Public Affairs; Deborah Sack, Vice President of Operations in Columbia’s Office of Public Affairs; and George Calderaro, Director of Community Relations at Columbia’s School of Professional Studies. 

Also in attendance was New York State Assemblymember for the 71st District Al Taylor (representing Harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood, and Hamilton Heights in Manhattan). Taylor shared impromptu words of support for the scholars and affirmed the significance of their work and its benefits to the larger community. 

A’Lelia Bundles (JRN’76), Columbia Trustee Emerita and program namesake, also shared words of encouragement and excitement for the newest class of scholars. 

Columbia Neighbors had the chance to connect with each scholar and hear in their own words what their projects entail and what they’re looking forward to over the next three years.

Interested in what they had to say? Watch here:

Here are just a few photos from the festivities, capturing the collective energy and excitement for the new scholars at the outset of their work. 

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