Chicago Area Fisk University Alumni Association, Inc.

10/12/2026

Congratulations to alums
Judith Morris ‘07 (CAFUAA President) & Torey Cohen-Boseman ’09 on completing the
Chicago Marathon!
🥇🥇

10/09/2026

Fisk University, Legacy Through The Lens of Art took place on October 4, 2026. The event was produced by the Plans & Programs Committee of the Chicago Area Fisk University Alumni Association (CAFUAA). The space was filled with Fiskites, Friends and art specific examples of Fisk’s rich history. In addition to a display of pieces that were generously loaned and donated, there were also original works for auction, prints, postcards, books for sale as well as book signing.

The event was culminated by the presence and expertise of our speaker, Jamaal Sheats ‘02, Associate Provost for Art and Culture and Director of the Fisk University Galleries and Co-Author of “Many Ways of Seeing: Georgia O'Keeffe, Fisk University, and the Alfred Stieglitz Collection”. Jamaal shared priceless information and stories about artists and works that are woven into the fabric of Fisk as it relates to art. He also provided an update on Fisk University Galleries, the Art Department as well as its accessibility to and involvement with Fisk Art students.

During the question and answer period, Jamaal was asked what we can do to support him, the Fisk Art Galleries, its legacy and the students. His response, “Talk about it, tell the story!”.

Thank you to everyone who attended, supported and made a contribution to this event in any capacity. A special thank you to Saint Ignatius and specifically Tina Bobor and Joe Malatesta and the Operations Department, Quest Food Management, Gina Toole Saunders (Graphic Designer), Geo Cooper (Music) and Shaun Harris.

We are grateful for the support of our current committee’s inaugural fundraiser.

Fisk Forever!!

Kris Smith ‘75
Leslie Dowdell-Cannon ‘76
Janelle Caldwell-West ‘81
Vorricia Glasper- Harvey ‘87
Erin Toole Williams ‘91

Plans & Programs Committee of
CAFUAA

Please continue to support the Chicago, Area Fisk University Alumni Association (CAFUAA). There are a limited number of pieces that are still available for sale. Please inquire if interested.

Support CAFUAA:
https://www.cafuaa.com

Sponsors:
Rhonda Blackshear ‘71
Vorricia Harvey ‘87
C. Jeffrey Wright ‘75
Grant Walker
Vernon Smith
Ann Collins ‘59
Andrea White ‘74
Randle Smith
Margo Smith
Anthony Laurent
Barbara Bowles ‘68
Blanche Toole ‘59
Leslie Dowdell Cannon ‘76
G. Kris Smith ‘75
Lawrence Drake II ‘76
Cynthia Coleman
Lydia Mason ‘75
Paula D. Anglin
Voris Glasper ‘90
Challis Lowe
Donna Taylor

Donors:
Daphne Driskell ‘76
John Simmons ‘74
Barbara Bowles ‘68
Marla Bernard ‘92
Lundynn S.V. Porter ‘20
The Family of Dianne Hemphill McDonald ‘62
The Family of Theron C. Toole ‘58
Kris Smith ‘75
Leslie Dowdell-Cannon ‘76
Janelle Caldwell-West ‘81
Vorricia Glasper- Harvey ‘87
Erin Toole Williams ‘91

📸 Lundynn S.V. Porter ‘20 &
Erin Toole Williams ‘91

10/06/2026

💛💙October 6, 1871 💛💙

Happy Jubilee Day!!

THE FISK JUBILEE SINGERS®
The tradition of excellence at Fisk has developed out of a history marked by struggle and uncertainty. Fisk's world-famous Jubilee Singers® originated as a group of traveling students who set out from Nashville on October 6, 1871, taking the entire contents of the University treasury with them for travel expenses, praying that through their music they could somehow raise enough money to keep the doors of their debt-ridden school open.
The singers struggled at first, but before long, their performances so electrified audiences that they traveled throughout the United States and Europe, moving to tears audiences that included William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips, Ulysses S. Grant, William Gladstone, Mark Twain, Johann Strauss, and Queen Victoria.
To this day, each October 6, Fisk pauses to observe the anniversary of the singers' departure from campus in 1871. The contemporary Jubilee Singers perform in a University convocation — and conclude the day's ceremonies with a pilgrimage to the grave sites of the original singers, where once again, the old songs are sung at the burial places of their first performers.

Fisk Forever!! 💛💙

10/03/2026

We appreciate all of the support that has already been given and look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!
💛💙✨💫

The Plans & Programs Committee of Chicago Area Fisk University Alumni Association (CAFUAA) presents…

Fisk University, Legacy Through The Lens of Art!!

Please join us on Sunday, October 4, 2026
1:00-4:00 PM at Saint Ignatius College Prep
1076 W. Roosevelt Road ~ Chicago

✨Sponsorships are available.
All proceeds go to scholarships for Fisk students.

Join Chicago Area Fisk University Alumni Association, Inc. (CAFUAA, Inc.) for Fisk University Legacy Through the Lens of Art

10/02/2026

Happy Fisk Friday!!
💛💙✨💫

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend.

The Plans & Programs Committee of Chicago Area Fisk University Alumni Association (CAFUAA) presents…

Fisk University, Legacy Through The Lens of Art!!

Please join us on Sunday, October 4, 2026
1:00-4:00 PM at Saint Ignatius College Prep
1076 W. Roosevelt Road ~ Chicago

✨Sponsorships are available.
All proceeds go to scholarships for Fisk students.

Join Chicago Area Fisk University Alumni Association, Inc. (CAFUAA, Inc.) for Fisk University Legacy Through the Lens of Art

09/28/2026

Fisk University, Legacy Through The Lens of Art!!✨💫

Are you a lover of Art? Have you purchased your tickets? Would you like to be a sponsor?

Something out of the ordinary is coming to Chicago this weekend. Come and learn about Fisk’s dynamic and rich history as it relates to Art.

Jamaal Sheats, Director and Curator of Galleries & Assistant Professor of Art will be our speaker.

Please join us on Sunday, October 4, 2026
1:00-4:00 PM at Saint Ignatius College Prep
1076 W. Roosevelt Road ~ Chicago

09/25/2026

Did you know that Georgia O'Keeffe gifted 101 modern art pieces from her late husband Alfred Stieglitz’s Collection and estate in 1949?

These works included pieces by O'Keeffe (Radiator Building — Night, New York), Pablo Picasso, Paul Cézanne, Marsden Hartley, and 19th-century African masks.

The pieces served as an essential teaching resource for decades, influenced by prominent Fisk faculty like Aaron Douglas and David C. Driskell.

O'Keeffe distributed Stieglitz's massive collection to six institutions, making Fisk University the only academic recipient.

We are excited to create a space where we can learn more about Fisk University and its contribution to Art. Please join us!

The Plans & Programs Committee of Chicago Area Fisk University Alumni Association (CAFUAA) presents…

Fisk University, Legacy Through The Lens of Art!!

✨Sponsorship opportunities are available.
CAFUAA2026ART.eventbrite.com

Please join us on Sunday, October 4, 2026
1:00-4:00 PM at Saint Ignatius College Prep
1076 W. Roosevelt Road ~ Chicago

Chicago Area Fisk University Alumni Association, Inc.

09/22/2026

Are you following our page on Instagram?

The handle:

361 Followers, 144 Following, 225 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Chicago Fisk Alumni Assoc. 💙💛 ()

09/22/2026

Did you know that Fisk University Galleries include the Carl Van Vechten Gallery, The Aaron Douglas Gallery, and the Aaron Douglas murals as well as possesses three centuries of art?

We are excited to create a space where we can learn more about Fisk University and its contribution to Art.

The Plans & Programs Committee of Chicago Area Fisk University Alumni Association (CAFUAA) presents…

Fisk University, Legacy Through The Lens of Art!!

✨Sponsorship opportunities are available.
CAFUAA2026ART.eventbrite.com

Please join us on Sunday, October 4, 2026
1:00-4:00 PM at Saint Ignatius College Prep
1076 W. Roosevelt Road ~ Chicago

Join Chicago Area Fisk University Alumni Association, Inc. (CAFUAA, Inc.) for Fisk University Legacy Through the Lens of Art

07/04/2026

“If you want to see far ahead and plan for the future, you need to find a high vantage point—like a steeple.”

Happy Fisk Friday!! 💛💙✨💫