Medria Blue-Ellis is an award-winning educator with 25 years of experience working in public and private schools. She has over 15 years of experience as a public-school administrator, nine of those years being a principal of the nationally-ranked Engineering and Science University Magnet School (ESUMS). She is equity and inclusion-focused and is a member of the New Haven Public Schools District Equity Leadership Team.  Medria has been selected to be in the first cohort of Fulbright Global Leaders Singapore 2021 and has been a fellow of the Connecticut Writing Project, Wesleyan Writer's Retreat, and Cave Canem Writer's Retreat. She is a graduate of Howard University and serves as the Greater New Haven Howard Alumni Club president.  She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter, The Links Incorporated, Waterbury Chapter, and the Greater New Haven NAACP. Medria lives in Bethany, CT, with her husband, Malcolm Ellis, who also attended Howard.  They are parents to three wonderful sons and two dogs.

Kendrick Bracey is a proud graduate of Morehouse College.  More about Kendrick to come.

Alice S. Coleman is a proud Magna Cum Laude graduate of Hampton University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Media Arts.  With a Master's of Business Administration-Marketing (MBA) from City University of New York as well as Master's degrees in Education and Educational Administration and Supervision (University of New Haven; University of Bridgeport), Coleman currently serves as Assistant Principal at Hill Regional Career Magnet High School under the New Haven Public School District (New Haven, CT).  A native of Bronx, New York, prior to education Coleman held advertising sales positions ranging from Intern to Vice President at FOX Broadcasting Network, ABC Family Channel, NBC, and Oxygen Media, all based in New York City. As a Founding Member of CT HBCU Alumni Network, Inc., Alice S. Coleman is committed to the uplifting of our youth and promoting awareness of the proven value and unmatcheded impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities throughout the country. 

Alice currently resides in New Haven, CT with her husband, also Alum of Hampton University and two teenage sons, who are currently "HBCU Hopefuls".

Nicole "Nikki" Forbes-Shaw is a graduate of  Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, LA. With a Bachelors Degree in Biology Pre-Medicine (McNair Scholar) she returned home to work at Yale University as a research associate. Over the years, Nikki worked at Yale University in many facets of research from Diatebes to HEP C. While working at Yale University she also worked at Pfizer New Haven Clinical Research center as a Lab Specialist providing lab support for many clinical trials.  In 2012, Nikki completed her studies to become a registered nurse at Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing, where she was awarded the Marian Bowie Award for demonstrated leadership in patient centered care. Nikki went on to hold positions at the Department of Corrections, Cornell Scott Hill Health Center, and Yale- New Haven Health.  Nikki is currently in the process of completing (Spring 2022) her Master's in the Science of Nursing (MSN) at Western Governors University in their Nursing Leadership/Nurse Executive track. She loves spending time with family and friends, traveling and running her eyewear business "ReFramed by Nikki".  Nikki’s mottos is “Saturate yourself in the environment  and around the people who can help motivate and foster the person you want to become.  When things get tough, don’t give any energy to anything or anyone that doesn’t deserve to have it! Focus, execute and leave steps behind you so others could follow!”    

Tanya Hughes is a graduate of Spelman College and SUNY at Buffalo School of Law and is currently Executive Director of the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO). Previously, Ms. Hughes served as the Commission's Interim Executive Director, and fifteen years as the Regional Manager of CHRO's Bridgeport office. Hughes has had a distinguished career at the Commission, including four years as an investigator and staff attorney. Hughes has been very instrumental in increasing staffing levels and improving relations with the public and other agencies. Since her appointment, she has been an active member on the Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Project, leading to CHRO’s inclusion on the notification slip issued to drivers during a traffic stop. Hughes has been recognized for many awards which include a New Haven NAACP award for her work in civil rights and social justice and being named as one of the 100 MostInfluential Blacks in Connecticut. She was featured in the UB Law Journal as a “Changemaker …making the fight for change central to” her life and work. Her affiliations are many: Bethel AME Church, New Haven; Tau Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; The New Haven Chapter of The Girl Friends, Inc.; The New Haven Chapter of The Links, Inc.; The Fairfield County Chapter of Chums, Inc.; National Alumnae Association of Spelman College; Parent Leadership Training Institute and the CT HBCU Alumni Network, Inc.

Tanya is married to Larry Hughes and they are proud parents to three adult daughters, Nikkia, Chelsea and Caitlyn. Tanya has much to be proud of but is most proud of being able to serve as a positive role model and influence on the children. She tries to live by the scripture "What does the law require of you but to do justice, love mercy walk humbly….” (Micah 6:8)

Earle Lobo is a graduate of Hampton University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in English. Throughout his tenure at Hampton, Lobo was heavily involved in student activities serving in multiple leadership positions including Mr. Freshman and Mr. Sophomore. Lobo has worked various roles for New Haven Public Schools from grades Pre-K-12. He has also served as a Job Developer for the Connecticut State Department of Labor, the Youth Service Specialist for the City of New Haven Department of Youth Services and as Student Development Coordinator at Gateway Community College. Currently, Lobo is the Assistant Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards for Yale College. In this role he is responsible for enforcing the Undergraduate Regulations in a fair, consistent and uniform manner. He also serves as Program Manager for Student Affairs supporting Student Organizations, First Year Affairs and programming for the First-Generation Low-Income student population. Lobo is an initiate of the Hartford (CT) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated and a member Widow’s Son Lodge #1, F. & A.M.

Juanita Mazyck is a proud graduate of South Carolina State University. More about Juanita to come.

Sean Mosley is a lifelong resident of Waterbury, CT. Sean is a graduate of Waterbury Public Schools and has obtained degrees from Howard University, Sacred Heart University, and the University of Connecticut School of Law. Since 2008, Sean has worked for Waterbury Public Schools in various capacities, currently serving as an interim Assistant Principal at Crosby High School and Administrator of the Early College High School program. Sean volunteers on various local boards and committees including the Waterbury Board of Police Commissioners and the Waterbury Diversity Committee. Sean is also a board member of Re-Center, an organization which works to dismantle racism and other discriminatory practices in educational organizations. Sean is a disciple of the Grace Baptist Church of Waterbury where he serves on various ministries as well as a brother of the Eta Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Sean has a passion for civic engagement and youth empowerment and is thankful to have been asked to join the CT HBCU Alumni Network Board of Directors.

Operating Room Nurse Manager for Yale-New Haven-Health System.  Born and raised in New
Haven, Shante received her education from New Haven Public and Parochial schools-graduating from  James Hillhouse High School.  Shante received her Bachelor's in the Science of Nursing (BSN) from Howard University in Washington, DC, and her Master's in the Science of Leadership (MSL) from Walden University in 2019 where she graduated with honors.  Shante is a Certified Nurse Manager Leader (CNML).  Shante is a member of Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society, The Golden Key International Honour Society, The National Society of Leadership & Success, Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. (Nursing Sorority); Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN); Southern Connecticut Black Nurses Association (Secretary) and the Howard University Alumni Club of Greater New Haven.  She sits on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council for YNHH, and most recently joined their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Nursing Task Force. A Founding Member of  CT HBCU Alumni Network, Inc., Shante has a fond passion for continuing education within our communities and always finds joy in encouraging our youth to attend an HBCU for “THE EXPERIENCE”!