Greetings WAAD Members!
We hope you had a great summer filled with relaxation and fun times! The WAAD Governing Board has also enjoyed the summer respite and are excited to enter this new season of engagement and commitment to our WAAD mission and the WAAD Big Three.
The WAAD Travel Program is affordable, accessible, (mindful of your PTO usage – that part!) and focuses on programming that celebrates the Black experience. WAAD launched our groundbreaking Travel Program this summer with the domestic destination to Martha’s Vineyard. The upcoming inaugural international travel to Kingston, Canada fulfills two components of our WAAD Big Three, offering an Afrocentric experience and supporting WAAD entrepreneurs.
This trip is specially crafted by, and in partnership with WAAD entrepreneur Martha Williams ’89, owner of Pedal Works Cafe & Studios. Martha has curated a relaxing wellness travel experience, infusing activities at her studio and hiking, dining experiences at Black restaurants, and enriching tours of the area. Please check out this beautiful snapshot of what Kingston will look like during this trip. If you are interested in participating in this 5-day 4-night travel experience from October 10-14, 2025, the time to secure your spot is now! You will find registration information in this newsletter.
This summer, WAAD also hosted its 2nd Annual WAAD Virtual Summer Send-Off for matriculating
students of African descent. We are thankful for our partnerships with the Office of Admission and
Parent and Family Programs to establish this staple WAAD program connecting alums to students as
we wish them well at the top of their Wellesley journey. Also, we have gained some traction with the
mentor program and hope to pair students and mentors who have signed up to participate.
We have so much more to look forward to, including our WAAD Virtual Meet-Ups every second
Saturday, WAAD Open House, and local programs offered both in person and virtually by our
outstanding Regional Reps. If you are interested in hosting an event in your region, please don’t
hesitate to reach out to any of us.
Happy Fall!
If you want to go quickly, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together.
~ African Proverb
With WAAD Love,
Azizah Yasin ‘94
President, Wellesley Alumnae of African Descent
2024 Keynote Speaker, Wellesley & Harambee House Black Excellence Gala
2023 Alumna Recipient, Wellesley & Harambee House Black Excellence Award
2022 Recipient, WCAA Sed Ministrare Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service