Celebrating the Black Alumni Legacy: Then, Now, and Our Future

View the recording of this 2021 Black Alumni of Notre Dame event featuring panelists Ben Finley ‘60, Richard Ryans ‘79, Nicole Juntunen ‘99, Shelly Williams ‘07, Kaya Lawrence ‘21, Jeff Musema ‘21 and N’Kaela Webster ‘21 and moderated by Emorja Roberson ‘22.

MODERATOR:

EMORJA ROBERSON ’22

Emorja Roberson is a pianist, conductor, workshop coordinator, composer, arranger and vocalist in world of classical and gospel. In 2016, he debuted “Let’s Just Praise the Lord” with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, which came from his project, Rejuvenate Me (2015). 

Roberson graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance, where he studied with Krzysztof Biernacki. As a young artist, he held lead roles in Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), The Consul, The Mikado and La Bohème with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and performed as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah. 

In October 2016, he recorded solos on Robert Kry’s, Paradiso: Transformation and Transfiguration and Mass for the Oppressed by Emerson Eads. He has premiered Evelyn Simpson Curenton’s “Sweet Lil Jesus” and was featured as the soloist for J.J. Wright’s O Emmanuel with the Notre Dame Children’s Choir. In March 2016, Roberson was casted as Duke Frederick in Roger Steptoe’s world-premiere opera of the Shakespeare’s play, “As You Like It”, under the direction of John Apeitos. Throughout his experience in the Sacred Music Program, Roberson served under the tutelage of Dr. Stephen Lancaster, and has worked with world-renowned soprano, Deborah Voight, Carla Rae Cook, and, J.J. Penna. In 2016, Roberson recorded with Grammy Award Winner, Arturo Sandoval, for the Notre Dame Children’s Choir CD, Christmas at Notre Dame, as a soloist on “Frosty, the Snowman” with Matthew Kelly.

August 2017, Emorja coordinated the Weekend of Worship in DeFuniak Springs, FL for churches of diverse communities, which provided workshops on the liturgical sacred music of the church and the fundamentals of reading music, which concluded with a concert of various genres of music. 

As of May 2017, Roberson was coined as the first African-American to graduate with a Master of Sacred Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Notre Dame. Roberson was a student of Dr. Mark Doerries and was the first African-American student in the Doctor of Musical Arts program to study Choral Conducting with a focus in African-American repertoire.  In addition to piloting the Voices of Courage choir at Madison Primary Center, Roberson served as the Director of Music for Olivet African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Graduate Assistant for the Notre Dame Folk Choir.

January 2018, Roberson’s compositions, “I Need Your Presence” and “Lord, I Am Grateful” were debuted by the South Bend Symphony Orchestra under the batons of Dr. Marvin Curtis and Dr. Alastair Willis. Roberson was the first place winner for the 2018 American Negro Spirituals competition and performed at Severance Hall in Cleveland, OH. In 2019, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra will debuted Roberson’s recently recorded, “God Is My Refuge” and “Trust In The Lord” at the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration. 

As a doctoral student, Roberson hosted the University of Notre Dame’s first Black History Month concert, which featured artists in jazz, classical, and gospel, and included performers: Callie Day, Isaac Cates, J.J. Wright, and Alex Mansour. 

In June 2019, he made his national debut on Season 9 of BET’s Sunday Best competition as a top 20 contestant. In June 2019, he made his national debut on Season 9 of BET’s Sunday Best competition as a top 20 contestant, and in March 2020, his recent composition, “Seek Ye First” from The Evening Musicale (2019), was featured on Sirius XM 64 (Kirk Franklin’s Praise). Roberson is the recipient of the 2020 Song of the Year award and the 2020 People’s Choice Award with Independent Gospel Artist Alliance Award. He is the Director of Voices of Faith Gospel Choir and the Founder and former Host for Black@ND. 

He was awarded with the 2021 Academic Freedom Award from the Department of Africana Studies and is the recipient of the 2022 Sr. Jean Lenz Award for his leadership that promotes a more diverse, inclusive campus community for all students.

In April 2022, he premiered his oratorio, BE-SPOKEN, which highlights the experiences of the Black experience through jazz, hip-hop, and gospel. The premiere included artists, such as, Anthony Walker, King Chav, HarRell D. Young, Donishisa Ballard, and Grammy-Award winner, Ledisi. Making history once again, on June 30, 2022, Roberson became the first African-American to receive a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Notre Dame.

Roberson is a 2022 recipient of the Future of Music Faculty Fellowship with Cleveland Institute of Music and the Assistant Professor of Music and African American Studies at Oxford College of Emory University.

PANELISTS:

BEN FINLEY ’60

Ben celebrated his 60th reunion this past June. He graduated from ND with a BS in Electrical Engineering which was enhanced with a with a Master Degree in Electrical Engineering from New York University in 1965. He spent 39 exciting and fun-filled years in the aerospace industry developing multiple weapon sub-systems and gaining expertise in program management, business development, line management and electronic systems design. Throughout his career he was the only African American in the room where it happened.  In the past 60 years, Ben’s technical career afforded him the opportunity to change the lives of countless African Americans.

At Notre Dame:  In 1957 Ben launched the Nu Nu Delta fraternity which, with support from the black South Bend community, was dedicated to establishing a social life for the 20 black males encamped in the sea of salt.  In 1959, Ben organized ND’s first Civil Rights Committee a multi-racial group recognizing and supporting of the student sit-ins going on in the South. this committee led a march from campus to the steps of the South Bend city hall.  In 1987, with the support of Fr. Ted, he co-founded the Black Alumni of Notre Dame (BA) as a sub-committee of the Alumni Association. BA became the cornerstone for the formation of the other “Affinity Groups” now prevalent within the Alumni Association. Ben also credits BA with being the catalyst which led to the diversification of the faces of the ND’s administration, staff and faculty under the Presidency of Fr. Monk.  In 2000 Ben was honored with the Alumni Associations Reynold’s Award in recognition of his efforts in recruiting and mentoring, over the course of 15 years, 150+ black students from Southern California through their 4 years in the ND cauldron.  Ben’s son Ben graduated in 1992 with a degree in Finance and his son Micah is currently enrolled as an Engineering major in the class of 2023.

At Hughes Aircraft:  In 1987, he co-founded and lead the Hughes Aircraft Black Professional Forum, an organization dedicated to the positive career development of its constituents.

In the world of exciting adventure: In 1966, Ben co-founded and led 4 Seasons West Ski & Snowboard Club in Los Angeles. An organization which, over the course of 54 years, has introduced thousands of black Angelinos to the thrills winter sports.  In 1973, under Ben’s leadership, 4SW conceived and directed the first Black Summit, a gathering of 11 black ski clubs which has now swelled to become the largest ski convention in America.  This first Black Summit resulted in the founding of the National Brotherhood of Skiers (NBS), a non-profit corporation, whose primary purposes are to promote the sport within the community and to guide and fund the development of black youth aspiring to the U.S. Olympic Ski Team.  • In 2020, Ben and his friend Arthur Clay were the first African Americans to be inducted into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame in recognition of their nearly 50-year vision which has created tens of thousands of snow sports enthusiasts, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue across the winter sports industry. The NBS’ annual gathering is one of the largest ski events in America.

RICHARD RYANS ’79

Richard Ryans has served in various capacities as it relates to the University of Notre Dame. He is one of the Co-founders of the Black Alumni of Notre Dame, and served two terms as Chairperson. In addition, he is a former member of the Notre Dame Diversity Council, Alumni Association Board of Directors, and the College of Business Administration’s Advisory Council. In 2017, he was awarded the Alumni Association “Volunteer of the Year” award. He has also been featured in the book, “Black Domers: Then and Now: Seventy Years at Notre Dame”.

He has been a CPA for over 40 years and is currently an entrepreneur in the travel industry. He is a husband, father of four, father-in-law of one, and resides in Columbia, MD.

“As a co-founder of BA, I’ve spent over 30 years building and supporting this organization. Just like any parent feels about their child, I will always love and support this organization in any way possible.”

NICOLE JUNTUNEN ’99

Nicole is a senior sales, marketing, and business development executive with over 20 years of diverse experience, and currently serves as Vice President of Commercial and Business Development for AeroFlexx, an Innventure portfolio company.  Nicole has worked with PE backed, family owned, and Fortune 50 manufacturing companies throughout her career. She has broad consumer packaged goods industry experience, including food & beverages, health and beauty care, and sustainable packaging. Nicole’s roles have spanned leadership positions in Mars Inc., Wrigley, L’Oréal, PepsiCo, and General Mills. Prior to Aeroflexx Nicole was the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Be Green Packaging, and spent over 13 years at Mars, Inc in various sales, marketing and business development leadership roles before moving to the PE/ VC sector. She is a member of the Network for Executive Women and Global Women Procurement Professionals, serves on the Pullman Foundation Scholarship Selection Board, led the Wrigley African American Sales Council, and served previously as the Vice-Chair and Chair for the Notre Dame Black Alumni Board. A Chicago native, Nicole is a ’99 graduate of the University, and double majored in Marketing and Government with a Concentration in International Business. During her time at Notre Dame, she was active in the Black Student Union, Committee Chair on the Student Union Board, a member of The Chorale, a founding member of First Class Step Team, and was the Building Manager of LaFortune for several years. 

SHELLY WILLIAMS ’07

Williams is the Executive Director of Access Academies, a non-profit organization in St. Louis, Missouri that propels underserved middle school students through high school and on to college and career success with enrichment, counseling, and scholarships. Her work is deeply rooted in the ethos of community engagement and guided by her drive to be a catalyst and inspiration for others. She received her B.A. in Anthropology from Notre Dame in 2007. While there, she volunteered as a Robinson Community and Learning Center tutor and youth director. Her passion for helping communities improve youth outcomes guided her to the Nine Network of Public Media, where she served PBS stations and local communities as the Initiative Director of American Graduate. Her efforts garnered multiple honors and awards, including an EMMY from The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. She later became the Director of Marketing and Community Engagement for LUME Institute, a non-profit organization improving society by transforming the way children are inspired to learn and grow. She was elected Board Chair for the Black Alumni of Notre Dame/Notre Dame Alumni Association in June 2020-July 2023 after serving as the board’s Director of Communications for five years.  

KAYA LAWRENCE ’21

Kaya Lawrence graduated from Notre Dame in 2021 with a degree in Political Science and Global Affairs with a concentration in International Peace Studies. She is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana and is a former resident of Badin Hall. On campus, Kaya was involved with Shades of Ebony for three years and served as President. Kaya also served as the Director of Diversity and Inclusion in Student Government. Additionally, Kaya has been avidly involved in Class Council and served as Secretary her first year. Previously, Kaya also served as a Senator and a Multicultural Commissioner for Badin Hall. Following graduation, Kaya hoped to attend law school to pursue a JD degree. 

JEFF MUSEMA ’21

Jeff Musema, Class of 2021, was the President of Wabruda and the Multicultural Pre-Medical Society (MPMS). Originally from Granger, IN, Jeff double majors in Neuroscience and Economics and attended medical school after graduation. 

“I’m truly excited for what the future of BA of ND holds! I’ve been fortunate to be friends with, work alongside, and learn a lot from black student leaders during my time at Notre Dame, and I believe our collective ambitions will surely carry BA of ND forward if we remain united in our efforts towards better tomorrows.”

N’KAELA WEBSTER ’21

N’Kaela Webster is a class of 2021 undergrad from Newark, New Jersey with a double major in Political Science and American Studies. N’Kaela was a member of several clubs on campus while serving as the secretary for ND Troop Dance Team and the president of the Black Student Association.