Dear Alumni & Friends
A new fiscal year is upon us, and what a start we’ve had already!
First and foremost, I extend an official welcome and congratulations to our newest chapter, the Piedmont-Triad Chapter of DGAF, Inc., under the determined leadership of Mr. Abijah Shealy. How fitting it is to have alumni from Greensboro and the surrounding communities, an area so deeply rooted in our history and legacy, formally represented as a chartered chapter of our organization. This is a significant milestone in our continued growth and commitment to bringing generations of alumni together.
Our outreach throughout the greater Goldsboro community has grown significantly in recent years, and the impact of that work speaks for itself.
Our Summer Lunch Program, made possible by dedicated volunteers and generous community donations, was nothing short of life-changing and affirming. We proudly served as a sponsoring partner of Habitat for Humanity’s Summer Teen Construction Camp, investing in opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and serve.
Earlier this spring, we sponsored a bus trip to Winston-Salem, bringing alumni and supporters together to cheer on our Lady Cougars during their historic run to the Women’s 3A State Basketball Championship. Following their victory, we proudly purchased championship rings for these remarkable young ladies, recognizing their achievement and the pride they brought to our entire community.
Our Alumni Headquarters continues to serve a purpose far beyond Homecoming. We currently provide daily rehearsal space for ArtXecute, a local youth theatre group made up of an amazingly talented group of young people. We are also preparing to host our 3rd Annual Community Christmas Party for our neighbors in Lincoln Homes, an opportunity to give back a small portion of what we sometimes take for granted.
At the heart of our mission, our Scholarship Program continues to award historic levels of financial support to deserving students. Following the tremendous success of our inaugural Scholarship Gala, the committee has announced the 2nd Annual Scholarship Gala for Saturday, February 27, 2027.
Our alumni, chapters, and dedicated supporters remain the backbone of this commitment. Finding new and creative ways to engage, fellowship, and raising funds for future generations strengthens our mission and reinforces that special sense of belonging you can only find at home.
And speaking of fundraising, a well-deserved congratulations to our 2026 Alumni Queen contestants, who collectively raised more than $40,000, including an outstanding $20,000 raised by our reigning Alumni Queen, Keshia Smith! Their dedication and commitment to our mission deserve our sincere appreciation.
These accomplishments tell an important story about who we are and what we can achieve when we come together.
For decades, Dillard/Goldsboro Alumni & Friends, Inc. has invested in the education of our young people, supported our schools, strengthened our community, and preserved the fellowship that connects generations of Dillard and Goldsboro alumni.
We have demonstrated time and again our willingness to give our time, resources, and talents in service to others.
Now, I believe it is time that we made that same intentional investment in ourselves.
Our Alumni Headquarters and H. V. Brown Fellowship Hall are more than a building and a piece of property. They are the physical center of our organization, a gathering place where generations reconnect, memories are made, community partnerships are strengthened, and our shared legacy continues to live.
Yet, as we continue to expand our programs, outreach, and membership, we must also acknowledge our responsibility to maintain and improve the campus that makes so much of this work possible.
Preserving our legacy requires more than celebrating our history. It requires investing in the very foundation that will sustain us for generations to come.
That is why, in celebration of our 72nd Annual Homecoming, I am proud to announce The Legacy Builders Capital Campaign.
Our goal is to raise $61,200 toward much-needed improvements to our campus, including drainage and sodding of our grounds, upgrades to our parking areas, and the eventual construction of a decorative brick and wrought-iron perimeter fence.
We are calling on 216 alumni, graduating classes, organizations, businesses, and friends to join one of three giving circles:
72 Legacy Builders — $500 each
72 Legacy Partners — $250 each
72 Legacy Supporters — $100 each
Each giving level offers an opportunity for recognition, but more importantly, each represents a personal investment in the future of our organization.
Let me be clear: Our Scholarship Program remains our foremost priority. This campaign is not about shifting our focus away from the students and community we serve. It is about strengthening the foundation that allows us to continue serving them.
We cannot continue to build an organization for the future without taking responsibility for the resources and facilities entrusted to us today.
For nearly 70 years, generations before us have made sacrifices, contributed resources, and laid the groundwork for the organization we proudly represent. We are the beneficiaries of their vision and commitment.
Now it is our turn.
Our responsibility is not simply to maintain what we inherited, but to leave it stronger, more sustainable, and better positioned for those who will follow us.
I am asking every member, every graduating class, every chapter, and every friend of Dillard/Goldsboro to consider what this legacy means to them and to take an active role in securing its future.
We have proven what we can accomplish when we invest in our community.
Imagine what we can accomplish when we make that same commitment to investing in ourselves.
Coming Together, Moving in the Right Direction.
Let’s Get to Work
Jamarius D. Coley
National President
Dillard/Goldsboro Alumni & Friends, Inc.