Belmont Hill Celebrates 10th Multicultural Alumni Partnership Dinner

Alumni, trustees, parents, and students gathered on the evening of September 22 for the annual Multicultural Alumni Partnership (MAP) dinner to celebrate diversity at Belmont Hill. This year’s dinner was significant in a number of ways including the celebration of the group’s tenth year. In his opening remarks, Caleb Collins ’93, Director of Community and Diversity, noted that MAP, and its numerous initiatives, will continue to build networks between current students and alumni in the years to come.  

Randall L. Kennedy, Michael R. Klein Professor of Law, Harvard Law School, delivered an engaging and thought-provoking keynote speech about the legacy of President Barack Obama’s two terms in office. He stressed that while current turbulence may include alarming setbacks, “none of the challenges, none of the obstacles, none of the dangers we face, will constitute the end of the story. Progress is by no means inevitable, but under the sway of intelligent, brave, ethical, and persistent collective struggle, continued progress toward a freer, more just society, is surely possible.”

This year’s recipient of the MAP Achievement Award was Head of School, Dr. Richard I. Melvoin. Will Forde ’05 and Groom Dinkneh ’09 were the members of MAP who presented Dr. Melvoin with the award and shared moving remarks recognizing Dr. Melvoin’s commitment to addressing issues of diversity, openness, multicultural enrichment, and social equity – which are key elements of MAP’s mission at Belmont Hill.

In a particularly poignant moment, Mr. Forde shared a quote about Dr. Melvoin that he received from Kai Bynum, the current Head of Hopkins School and himself a prior MAP Award recipient who was hired by Rick Melvoin in 2007 in the newly-created position of Community and Diversity at Belmont Hill.

“Rick Melvoin is the reason why MAP exists,” said Mr. Bynum. “He is the single most important person behind the growth and evolution of our mission over the past 10 years because his leadership, vision, and guidance from the beginning have been a guiding force for our efforts.”
 

About MAP:

Belmont Hill’s Multicultural Alumni Partnership (MAP) strengthens relations among all of Belmont Hill’s alumni to enhance the diversity, openness and climate of the greater school community. MAP realizes these objectives through targeted programs, networking events and community outreach, all in collaboration with past and present students, parents, faculty, staff, and trustees.