UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
It’s Black Philanthropy Month. Celebrate with us!
Join us all month long as we roll out our third annual Why I Give Series. Follow along for weekly stories of inspiration featuring Black alumni donors.
As you consider your charitable giving this month, we invite you to support the Black Alumni Network Scholarship or any of the University’s Black Campus Initiatives.
This week, we are pleased to introduce Gary Roebuck ’99E. Gary received his Bachelor of Music and Performance Certificate in Voice, as well as the Arts Leadership Certificate, from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in 1999. Gary went on to earn two graduate degrees – a Master of Science in Information Systems from DePaul University and a Master of Public Administration in Public and Nonprofit Management from the University of Baltimore – while working full-time.
From the arts to consulting and trade associations, Gary’s impressive 25+ year career has been spent exclusively working with or within nonprofit organizations. Today, Gary works as the Chief Operating Officer of the Open Technology Fund, a Congressionally-authorized independent non-profit organization committed to advancing global internet freedom through funding development of technologies aimed at counteracting repressive censorship and surveillance. In the midst of this work, Gary has managed to continue as a performing musician, serving as a professional cantor and choir section leader in congregations for 28 years.
Q: Why do you give to the University of Rochester?
A: I think many of us are taught to give back as we progress through life as a way to ‘pay it forward’. Like many, I attended the University of Rochester on scholarship as my parents lacked the financial means to send me to an institution of this caliber. While I cannot directly repay the generosity of those whose gifts to the University funded my education, I can pay that debt forward by assisting those that will come after me so that they too can benefit from the Rochester experience that has so greatly enriched my life and allowed me to find my professional path. I have chosen to contribute specifically to the libraries and Eastman.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish through your philanthropy?
A: As stated previously, the goal is to positively impact the lives of those who will come after me just as the generosity of those who came before did for me.
Q: How did you choose the fund/program/unit you most frequently support?
A: There is a saying that charity starts at home. Since this is a mantra to which I subscribe and ‘home’ for me is Eastman as well as the libraries (where I spent many hours as a student roaming the stacks hoping to serendipitously stumble upon interesting but relatively unknown music to perform), this is where I have decided to direct my gifts.
Q: If you were talking to someone about giving to UR, what would you tell them?
A: To shamelessly borrow from Nike, I would say ‘just do it’. Many of us have been conditioned to believe philanthropy is for the ‘rich’ (however you may define that), but I’ve learned that giving doesn’t have to be a grand gesture to be meaningful or impactful. One can be philanthropic throughout one’s life, adjusting the nature of your gifts as your financial circumstances change. Again, going back to the desire to ‘pay it forward’, I don’t have to necessarily wait until I have reached the pinnacle of my career or the fullness of retirement to begin that process. I can start now.
This week, we are pleased to introduce Dr. Anika Simone Johnson ’18W (EdD). Dr. Johnson received her Doctor of Education in Educational Administration, with a specialization in Higher Education, from the Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development at the University of Rochester in 2018. Prior to that, Dr. Johnson received her Bachelor of Science in Communication from SUNY Fredonia and then her Master of Arts in Education from Fairfield University before launching into a seven-year career teaching in a K-12 setting.
Today, Dr. Johnson is the Assistant Dean of Equity and Inclusion at the Warner School at the University of Rochester. In her current role, Dr. Johnson works to drive institutional change, create more diverse co-curricular experiences, increase EDI education across Warner’s community, and foster a more equitable and inclusive educational and workplace environment. Dr. Johnson is also the Rochester Program Regional Co-Chair of the Black Alumni Network, as well as a member of the University’s Diversity Advisory Council.
Q: Why do you give to the University of Rochester?
A: I give to the University because I have a personal connection to make a positive impact and build community and culture in the lives of students obtaining their degree.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish through your philanthropy?
A: My philanthropic goals are aligned with advancing social justice and equality within educational settings. I hope to contribute to creating educational environments where diversity is celebrated, equity is prioritized, and all individuals can thrive and succeed regardless of their background or identity.
Q: How did you choose the fund/program/unit you most frequently support?
A: I believe it is where I have seen most impactful change while valuing our student’s needs, where they feel seen, heard, protected, and provided for.
Q: What does being a member of the University of Rochester Black Alumni Network mean to you?
A: In essence, being a member of the University of Rochester Black Alumni Network is about fostering connections, supporting each other, advocating for positive change, and leaving a lasting impact on the University’s community and beyond. It’s a way to promote a sense of legacy to the institution while actively preserving alumni ongoing history and honoring our experiences and contributions.
This week, we are pleased to introduce Damian Otsile Rantshabeng ’24. Damian received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Certificate in Actuarial Studies from the University of Rochester in May 2024. During this undergraduate tenure, Damian was actively involved as the Alumni Relations Chair for the National Society of Black Engineers and the Senior Giving Co-Chair for the Senior Class Council. He also served as a Student Alumni Ambassador (SAA) and was a member of the Ma’Frisah African Dance Group.
Building upon the strong foundation he developed during his time as Alumni Relations Chair and Senior Giving Co-Chair, Damian has accepted a position within the Office of Alumni Relations and Constituent Engagement as a Development Specialist. In this role, he will support the Volunteer Engagement and Programs and Affinity Networks and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion teams.
Q: Why do you give to the University of Rochester?
A: The journey of an international student is a very special and unique one. I don’t think it can ever be fully prepared for and anticipated. It would be an injustice to believe that my success is a result of solely my individual efforts. During my undergraduate career, I saw how different departments and offices at the University of Rochester moved to support me in my life overseas. If I named all of them, we would be here until next year. I give back to the University of Rochester because of each form of support that got me through challenging times. For me, academics were not my biggest adversity, it was everything else that made my college experience, especially after starting my first year remotely, and moving across an ocean during COVID. A lot of people before me crawled so that I could walk, and for as long as I can, in whatever capacity possible, I give so that many coming after me can run.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish through your philanthropy?
A: In my native language, Setswana, there is a saying that goes, ‘Motho ke motho ka batho’ which translates to ‘A person is a person, because of other people.’ This proverb emphasizes the interconnectedness of individuals within a community, and I want to continue creating endless ripples of this principle through my philanthropy. The goal is for everyone to do something, and not someone doing everything.
Q: What made you decide to make your first gift?
A: During my final year of my undergraduate studies, I took on the rewarding role of being the Senior Giving Co-Chair for the 2024 Senior Class Council. This gave me an opportunity and platform to unite my peers through philanthropy and introduce them to the power of giving. My first gift to the University of Rochester was because I wanted to lead by example. If I were to rally my class to give to an area that matters most to them, I needed to walk that talk, and they needed to see me embody this spirit. Now, finding an area that had been instrumental in my college experience was a no brainer because of my meaningful involvements. My first gift to the University was to the National Society of Black Engineers Chapter, where I served as the Alumni Relations Chair. This is where I learned how to best represent and communicate my professional identity.
Q: If you were talking to someone else about giving to UR, what would you tell them?
A: I know that giving can be a difficult topic, moreso that everyone’s experience is different. I’m not sure how many times I reiterated this when I was running the Senior Giving Campaign with Julia Chrisbacher, but I know that it is something that helped me change the narrative of giving. “You can give directly to an area of your choice so that when you look back, you cannot imagine a University of Rochester experience without it.” This way, you are making an immediate impact in the corner of the community that has been a tremendous support and catapulted you in the direction of your dreams. Pay it forward, Yellowjackets!
To kick things off, we are thrilled to introduce you to Krystalyn Jones Broughton ’19S (MBA). Krystalyn received her Bachelor of Arts in French Language and Literature from the University of Virginia in 2007. Subsequently, she forged a 10+ year career at several New York City-based companies before making her way to Rochester.
In 2019, Krystalyn received her Master of Business Administration from the Simon Business School at the University of Rochester. During her two years as a full-time graduate student, Krystalyn was actively involved as the Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion for the Graduate Business Council (GBC) and Vice President of Marketing & Communications for the Simon Health Sciences Club. She was also a member of the VISON Consulting Club, Simon Women in Business (SWiB), the National Black MBA Association, and Uncorked.
Today, Krystalyn is the Owner & President of Orange and Clove, a professional residential and commercial cleaning service based in Houston, TX. She has stayed connected to Rochester as a member of the Black Alumni Network Philanthropy Committee and the Simon Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Alumni Council. Additionally, Krystalyn is committed to philanthropy through the University’s George Eastman Circle where she gives directly to the Simon Consortium Scholarship Fund.
Q: Why do you give to the University of Rochester?
A: Civic duty – I believe we all have a moral obligation to give back to whatever causes are important to us. The University of Rochester is an important place for me because the University has invested so much into my life with opportunities and access to transformational skills and information. My education at the Simon Business School has fundamentally changed the way I approach and solve problems and systematically implement solutions.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish through your philanthropy?
A: I give back to the University of Rochester and Simon Business School to give other deserving individuals like me the same or better opportunity to improve their life through the Simon experience. My donation directly expands the impact and efficacy of the school’s education.
Q: What made you decide to make your first gift?
A: My first gift was to the George Eastman Circles as a young alumnus. The young alumni level provides the ability for recent graduates to give back to the University while amplifying the benefits. In addition to giving access to the University, the George Eastman Circle connects like-minded alumni through events and activities. Additionally, giving as an alumnus helps to increase the school’s ranking by showing student satisfaction.
Q: What does being a member of the University of Rochester Black Alumni Network mean to you?
A: The University of Rochester Black Alumni network allows me to connect with and provide support to other alumni from similar backgrounds, socioeconomic status, and mindset. It fosters a network for personal and professional connections and provides a sense of community that is not often available in other professional or corporate settings. Given the recent attacks on programs that benefit African Americans in corporations and academia (e.g. – SCOTUS affirmation action decision, Diversity & Inclusion programs dissolutions and Critical Race Theory attacks, etc.), it also serves as a space for psychological safety.