Sponsored by the Society of Black Alumni, Black Faculty and Staff Association, and Hopkins at Home
Celebrate community and legacy at the Fifth Annual Black Alumni Weekend, taking place September 10–12 in Baltimore and sponsored by the Society of Black Alumni. This year’s events commemorate Johns Hopkins University's 150th Anniversary and highlight the contributions of African Americans to the university. The weekend includes an interactive virtual panel hosted by Johns Hopkins Retrospective and alumni; a student-alumni discussion on campus; and the Black & Blue Social at Cross Street Market.
Registration details are at the bottom of this event page and all alumni are welcome.
Saturday, September 6th - 7th Annual Billie Holiday Jazz in the Square Concert
- Time - 2pm - 6pm
- Location - 816 North Arlington Avenue Baltimore, MD 21217
- Please register here
Start the celebration on Saturday, September 6th with an afternoon of good vibes at Lafayette Square Park. Get ready to groove to the sounds of talented jazz musicians honoring the legendary Billie Holiday. Bring your friends, family, and a picnic blanket for a relaxing afternoon. This FREE in-person event will have a stellar lineup, food, vendors, and community resources for everyone to enjoy.
Wednesday, September 10th - Exploring the History of African Americans at Hopkins
- Time - 6:30 pm
- Location - Virtual
Join Allison Seyler, program manager for Hopkins Retrospective, and alumni panelists LaMarr Darnell Shields, Ed ’14 (PhD), Leslie Farrington, A&S ’76, Wilbur Wright, SAIS ’61 (MA), Deneen Hendrick, A&S '86, and Lindsai Bland, Engr '12 (MS), for an interactive, discussion about the African American experience at JHU. Moderated by John Green III, Bus '00 (Cert), '04 (MBA), '20 (Cert).
All alumni are welcome.
Thursday, September 11th - What's the Tea with Current Students
- Time - 5:30 pm - 8pm
- Location - Student Center (Located at the intersection of North Charles and 33rd Streets)
- Students please register here
Participate in this annual collab with ILLD,SOBA, current students and alum. Engage in the interactive panel discussions with alumni and students about what matters most in the student experience and after Hopkins. Come share your story and sage advice. Panelist will include Dr. Tanjala Purnell BSPH '12 and Taylor Falls Nii Kwatei Quartey-Papafio A&S '26.
Friday, September 12th- Black & Blue Social
- Time - 8pm - 12am
- Location - Cross Street Market (1065 S Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21230)
Join us for a fireside chat with Dr. Lawrence Jackson and Professor Richard Johnson, two acclaimed scholars and artists whose work deeply connects with Baltimore’s cultural and jazz legacy. Dr. Jackson, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins, is the founding director of the Billie Holiday Center for the Liberation Arts, which celebrates the city’s Black history and fosters connections between the university and local communities. Professor Johnson, a world-renowned jazz pianist and U.S. Musical Ambassador, brings a rich musical background rooted in both Pittsburgh and Baltimore, with ongoing work mentoring students and performing globally. Together, they’ll discuss their personal and professional journeys, their roles as educators, and the influence of Baltimore’s jazz scene past and present. The evening will include reflections on their community engagement and conclude with a Q&A session.
After the fireside chat, keep the energy going as we close out the week with our annual Black and Blue Social. Connect with alumni, students, and friends over games, food and drink, music, and great conversation. Cross Street Market will be a private space with several market vendors and the bar open to Hopkins. Two drink tickets and one food ticket are included in your admission.
Additional Upcoming Events
A portion of this registration fee will serve as a donation in support of future programming and events. If you wish to not have a portion of your registration support such initiatives, you may contact the Office of Annual Giving: oag@jhu.edu.
While participating in off-campus events and meetings sponsored by the JHAA/JHM/JHHS participants must follow all public health guidelines mandated by the local jurisdiction and venue at the time of the event. Johns Hopkins strongly suggests that attendees who join in person receive at least one dose of an FDA- or WHO-authorized COVID-19 vaccine before attending This is subject to change.
JHAA Event Cancellation and Refund Policy
