COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) -The 5th annual Aggie Impact Weekend brought together former students and supporters to celebrate the achievements of former Black students and fund scholarships for future Aggies. Organized by the Black Former Student Network (BFSN) at Texas A&M, the event has grown from a single gala to a weekend-long celebration.
“Aggie Impact Weekend really started with the gala,” said Erica Rouse, founder and chair of the Aggie Impact Gala. “It’s grown from just a Saturday night event to a full weekend—from the Scholarship Gala on Saturday night to the Breakfast of Champions on Saturday morning, and Gospel Brunch on Sunday. We’ve evolved in our fifth year into a full weekend of events.”
The event raises scholarship funds to address the absence of the Presidential Achievement Award, a scholarship that previously supported many Black Aggies.
“There’s never enough scholarships,” Rouse said. “In waiting for the university to prayerfully, hopefully, bring it back, it didn’t happen. So when something doesn’t happen, you make it happen. And so what we’ve done is that we’ve created this event to raise those funds so eventually we can have a scholarship as robust as the award that many of us received.”
The weekend highlighted the achievements of several Aggies, including Dr. Renee Jones, recipient of the Rising Star Award, recognizing her academic and community accomplishments.
“I’m receiving the Rising Star Award to recognize students and alumni who have achieved a multitude of accomplishments,” said Jones, who earned her master’s in 2020 and completed her Ph.D. this year. “To be recognized on a great campus like this and with amazing individuals feels amazing,” Jones said.
Other honorees included Terrance Murphy Sr. ‘05, David K. Butler, MD ‘94, Kellie Sims Butler, PhD ‘94, Hon. Don Scott ‘87, Chidi Blyden ‘02, Mayphous Collins ‘94, Mark Boudreaux ‘91, and Felicia Hall-Boudreaux ‘94.
Dr. Jones emphasized the importance of organizations like BFSN, particularly for unity and mentorship.
“It means honoring those who have come before you. It means showing leadership and loyalty,” she said, adding, “But most of all, I feel like it means reaching back to help others.”
Jones has contributed through philanthropy, community volunteering, and support for local businesses.
“No matter what I do, I always make sure I try to inspire those that come after me,” she said.
For Tashara Robinson, program chair for the Aggie Impact Gala Committee, the event represents legacy and community.
“To me, being an Aggie means that I embody selfless service, integrity, leadership, and love for my community,” Robinson said.
Having served since the gala’s start in 2019, she sees it as a family reunion and a chance to pass on Aggie values to her children.
“It’s called legacy building. And I’m intentional about exposing all of my children. I have four. I’m intentional about exposing them to greater opportunities and greater environments so that they can say to themselves, hmm, I can do that.”
Aggie Impact Weekend concluded with a Gospel Brunch featuring Grammy-nominated gospel singer Kurt Carr, whose performance and message resonated with attendees. Proceeds from the weekend’s events will support scholarships and resources for Black students at Texas A&M, ensuring future generations have the support they need to pursue higher education.
📸Honor the past. Applaud the present. Fund the future. The Aggie Impact Gala on Saturday was a beautiful celebration of…
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