November 2020 Connections
Coke Scholars Friendsgiving
Coke Scholars brought their favorite beverage and met virtually for some inspiring words and meaningful discussions with their Coke Scholars family at the Alumni Advisory Board’s first Friendsgiving events.
Virtual #CokeScholarsPro Classes
Led by Coke Scholars for Coke Scholars
Coke Scholars Coke Breaks
An Alumni Advisory Board initiative, Coke Scholars Coke Breaks randomly pairs 2 Scholars for a 15 minute chat each month.
The SIP Podcast: Season 2 and Instagram Lives
In the first episode of season 2, Chantelle George (2006) interviews Derrius Quarles (2009) about becoming the Million Dollar Scholar, the hurdles and rewards of entrepreneurship, and how he’s financially empowering Black communities through his latest social enterprise, BREAUXCapital.
The host of season 2, Ericka Jones (2011) went live on Instagram with Derrius to take questions and further discuss his initiatives.
In episode 2, Sue Suh (1992) and Steven talk Jazz and how it relates to politics, bond over the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, and discuss how to be true to yourself when others try to put you in a box.
Sue and Steven went live on our Instagram just days after election day to talk further about his quest to rehumanize politics and he showcased his musical talent, too!
Kevin Shen interviews fellow 2000 Scholar Lillian Singh, who shares her journey growing up in south central Los Angeles to getting a masters degree from Stanford University. Lillian reflects on how a key investment from the USC Leslie and William McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative in the 6th grade completely changed the trajectory of her life, and how she’s determined to build similar bridges for more people of color.
Kevin and Lillian also discuss the Black Lives Matter movement, the intersectionality between race and economics, and their intriguing and different answers to the same essay question in their sociology class at Stanford.
Kevin and Lillian also went live on our Instagram to talk about the effects of gentrification, how they learned the projected results of the presidential election while recording their podcast, and more.
Alumni News
February 2024 Connections
Alumni virtually interviewed our Regional Finalists across the country and got together in person around the US.
February 2024 Accolades
Heather Bowerman (2002) and her company, Dot Labs, was featured on NASDAQ’s iconic billboard in Times Square; Eric Veal, Jr. (2022) was accepted to the Institute for Responsible Citizenship’s Class of 2025; and Kristina Skrela Gisonde (1999) was inducted into her company’s Hall of Fame
January 2024 Connections
Scholars gathered virtually for the first learning event of the year, “An Inside-Out Approach to Goal Setting,” and in person around the world.