Alumni Culture & Community Celebration

Join us for our Alumni Culture & Community Celebration!

Join us on Friday, February 27, from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. for a special celebration in honor of Black History Month!

We are proud to host an Alumni Insights Panel: Navigating Life & Career with an HBCU Education.

This event is a wonderful opportunity for the ESD community to come together, connect, and learn more about the value and impact of an HBCU education through the experiences of our panel.

The Details

• When: Friday, February 27 | 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
• Where: North Dining Room, The Episcopal School of Dallas
• Food: Breakfast bites will be served

Meet The Panel

• Moderator: Dr. Michael Sorrell P’29, President of Paul Quinn College
• Panelists: Kayla Andrews ‘17 (Howard University) and Blayre Riley ‘20 (Spelman College)

Additionally, we are thrilled to feature delicious treats from Jamila Jenkins ‘13 and her business, Donna Faye’s Bakery. Based in Washington, D.C., Donna Faye’s is a family-inspired bakery specializing in nostalgic Chicago-style butter cookies, pound cakes, and cozy homemade sweets crafted from recipes passed down through generations.

Read more about the achievements of our moderator and panelists below. We look forward to celebrating their achievements with our community!

About Dr. Michael Sorrell P’29

Dr. Michael J. Sorrell is the longest-serving President in the 153-year history of Paul Quinn College. During his 18 years of leadership, Paul Quinn has become nationally celebrated for its ability to continuously identify innovative ways of addressing the needs of today’s students and their communities.

Fortune Magazine named Dr. Sorrell one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders. He is the only three-time recipient of the HBCU Male President of the Year Award, has won Education Dive’s Higher Education’s President of the Year award and was listed by Time Magazine as one of the “31 People Changing the South”. He also has been named “Father of the Year” by the City of Dallas and received the President George W. Bush Institute’s Trailblazer Award.

Michael received his J.D. and M.A. in Public Policy from Duke University and his Ed.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated from Oberlin College with a B.A. in Government and captained the men’s varsity basketball team twice.

About Kayla Andrews ‘17

Kayla Andrews is a strategic leader and Development and Partnerships Lead at The Movement Cooperative, where she drives impact through progressive nonprofit technology. After graduating from The Episcopal School of Dallas in the class of 2017, she went on to earn a B.A. in Africana Studies from Howard University. During her time at Howard, she served as President of the Young AfricanA Leadership Initiative, traveling to South Africa and Ghana, and became a proud initiate of the Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc

Her professional background includes three years in corporate social responsibility, notably serving as Creative Lead for the award-winning Education Equity Action Plan Coalition. This work earned her top honors at the 2022 U.S. Agency Awards for Best Integrated Campaign and Best Event. Today, Kayla leverages her expertise in external affairs and strategic partnerships to empower nonprofit organizations and foster systemic change.

About Blayre Riley ‘20

Blayre Riley is a strategic communications professional and alumna of The Episcopal School of Dallas, where she graduated in 2020. Blayre’s journey led her to Spelman College, where she earned her B.A. in English Language and Literature.

During her time at Spelman, Blayre was recognized for her leadership and commitment to service, becoming a Spring 2022 initiate of the Mu Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Her undergraduate experience provided a strong foundation for her career, blending a deep appreciation for storytelling with the unique perspectives gained from an HBCU education.

Currently, Blayre serves as a Specialist Consultant in Public Relations at AT&T. In this role, she leverages her expertise in media relations and corporate communications to help drive the narrative for one of the world’s leading telecommunications companies. Blayre is passionate about navigating the intersection of culture and career, and she looks forward to sharing how her education has shaped her professional trajectory.