Celebrating 10 Years of BALANCE

When BALANCE Co-Founder Jessica Huertas ’94 made the Lehigh alumni affinity group’s Facebook page public on a Friday in June 2010, she was thrilled when there were nearly 50 followers by the end of the weekend. Now, the Black and Latinx Alumni Network for Community and Equity (BALANCE) group has more than 600 registered members and is celebrating its 10-year milestone with goals to grow, engage and give. The initiative is known as BALANCE 2020 and includes special regional and campus events throughout the year.

“BALANCE is only as strong as its membership, and the level of impact that we can have on Lehigh will strongly depend on our overall level of engagement,” said Mario Paredes ’11, co-executive director of BALANCE. “If BALANCE increases the size of its network and leverages the strength and resources of our community members, then Lehigh stands to win.”

There are many ways to be involved with BALANCE, but becoming a member or updating membership contact information is the first step (very important so that each person is counted in reaching BALANCE 2020 goals!). Those who are already a member are encouraged to share the membership link with other alumni and encourage them to join. Alumni can stay connected through BALANCE’s Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram pages and join Lehigh Connects, a platform to build a person's Lehigh network through mentoring and purposeful connections.

Watch for information on regional BALANCE alumni activities being planned for 2020 to commemorate the milestone, such as the kickoff celebration held in Northern New Jersey on February 29. The evening included a networking reception and a program with Donald Outing, vice president, equity and community; Jennifer Swan, interim director, Africana Studies; and Hugo Ceron-Anaya, director, Latin American and Latino Studies. Guests enjoyed a special performance by Valarie Adams and the Dimension Band. More information will follow about upcoming BALANCE events in Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; and on campus during Reunion Weekend, June 4 to 7, and the BALANCE banquet in fall 2020.

Be a Lehigh ambassador and attend events that welcome or support Lehigh students of color and aid in their success. Past events include BALANCE members meeting first-year Lehigh students at summer Sendoffs, participating in milestone events such as the 30th anniversary of the university’s Umoja House, co-sponsoring the Donning of the Kente ceremony for graduating seniors, networking with first-gen students, serving as panelists during Diversity Life Weekend for high school seniors, and hosting a dinner with student leaders of Lehigh University multicultural organizations.

Another way to support students is to make a gift to the Lehigh Fund which provides vital financial aid or make a gift of choice at give.lu. Ensuring access and success for talented students is the top priority of GO: The Campaign for Lehigh. Every gift — regardless of size — given by a BALANCE member is counted toward the goal.

“BALANCE plays an essential role in making Lehigh a more welcoming place. Get involved, get engaged, and share your talents and treasures to help realize a more inclusive and equitable Lehigh,” said Reginald Jennings ’70, co-executive director of BALANCE. “Once our goals are obtained, the partnership we envision will help actuate Lehigh’s diversity efforts in new and exciting directions.”

 Story by Dawn Thren ’21P