Posse Alumni Shine at Chicago’s Power of 10
Alumni, donors, board members, staff and partners gathered on October 10 for Posse Chicago’s Power of 10 fundraiser. Thanks to the generosity of supporters, the night was a success, raising over $600,000. The achievement demonstrates the Chicago community’s dedication to the Posse mission and its lasting impact on talented young leaders. Close to 400 guests attended the annual event, including more than 90 dedicated alumni representing all Posse Chicago partner colleges and universities.
First-time attendee Diana Lam—a Middlebury College alum who recently moved back to her home city of Chicago—was excited to celebrate with the community of supporters that uplifted and supported her through her college and postgraduate years.
“Attending my first Power of 10 was a heartwarming experience for me,” Diana said. “My favorite part was reconnecting with alumni from my own posse and college. Seeing everyone come together to support Posse filled me with nostalgia and gratitude.”
The event also featured remarks from Posse University of Wisconsin-Madison alum Jasmia Hamilton, who shared her experiences as a Scholar and the personal impact Posse Chicago made on her life. In her remarks, Jasmia chronicled her experiences as a teen mother and the role that her Posse community played in her success.
“Those without an eye for possibility would have assessed in my senior year of high school that I was not worth investing in, that peril was my destiny,” said Jasmia. “Posse Chicago saw and propelled a possibility within me.”
Jasmia is currently the senior programs manager for The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, a Wisconsin-based organization that works to eliminate health disparities and other barriers impacting the lives of Black women and their families and communities.
After the event, alumni gathered for a Power of 10 afterparty to continue to celebrate the Posse community.
“Power of 10 always provides an excellent opportunity to meet so many outstanding Posse alum and supporters,” said Sam Rodriguez, an alum of Oberlin College and a Posse National Alumni Advisory Council representative. “At the after party, we were able to ensure there was even more time to form valuable connections while continuing the Power of 10 celebration. Our alumni continue to do so many great things, from professional development, volunteerism and more, so it’s important that we have space and time to connect and celebrate with each other.”
Posse Chicago is grateful to its diverse community of supporters who made the event a success.
