University of Bridgeport Association of Black Alumni (UBABA)
Our history
The Organization of Black Students at the University of Bridgeport was formed in 1969, following the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As a class gift, the graduating class of 1969 created the initial Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship. Six African American students resolved to continue the work of Dr. King by successfully implementing a 12-point plan to improve the status of African Americans at the University of Bridgeport. The plan, developed in the 1968-1969 academic year, included increasing the number of African American students and faculty, the number of course offerings in African American studies, and the collection of African American literature and research resources in the library. Later renamed the Black Student Alliance (BSA) and revitalized in the early 2000’s OBS/BSA continues to promote the interests of African American students with the University community.
In Dr. King’s last book, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? published in 1967 and republished in 2010, he discussed pressing social issues which still needed to be addressed. In 2019, the University of Bridgeport Association of Black Alumni (UBABA) was founded primarily to revive, renew, and restructure the scholarship as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Endowment Scholarship Fund to further honor his life’s work and legacy by providing a more stable source of financial assistance to undergraduate students of African American descent. The Endowment continues to receive financial support from all sectors of the University community and is administered by the University in close cooperation with its founders, the University of Bridgeport Association of Black Alumni.
The OBS/BSA Alumni received recognition from the University in 2018 as the first group to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award for Achievement in Philanthropy.
Scholarship description
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Endowment Scholarship was established by the UBABA Board to further honor his life’s work and legacy by providing a more stable source of financial assistance and support the success of undergraduate students as they approach completion of their University of Bridgeport studies. The scholarship is awarded to deserving undergraduate student(s) of African American descent as identified within the awardee eligibility criteria.
Make a gift
As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and UB students, you can be a part of this success story by donating online at Make A Gift (select Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Endowment Scholarship from the designation dropdown). Or with a check made payable to the University of Bridgeport while designating for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Endowment Scholarship and mail to the University of Bridgeport, Office of Advancement 126 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604.
Want more options? Give by phone at 203-576-4801.
Questions? Please contact the Advancement office at 203-576-4525.
Meet UBABA leadership
James Swain, JD LLM, ’75
Attorney and Author
Georgia
Lorraine K. Taylor, ’76
Project Management, Customer Service & Creative Vision for Product Implementation (Retired)
Maryland
UBABA reunion events - join us!
Every two to three years we like to host a reunion gathering to reconnect with UB friends and alumni, and to focus on growing the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Endowment Scholarship. We have held events in Poconos, PA, Philadelphia, PA, Bridgeport, CT, National Harbor, MD, and Miami, FL. To connect with UBABA and be added to the communications list, send an email to Lorraine at or contact the UB Advancement Office.