Since 2022, hundreds of members of the Yale community have gathered in cities across the US and abroad for live events showcasing the people, programs, and ideas that distinguish Yale as a world-class institution and highlight its capacity to improve and enrich lives around the globe.
Each event in the For Humanity Illuminated series has enabled alumni representatives from shared interest and identity groups to forge new connections and promote awareness of issues and topics among fellow Yalies.
Represented groups include the Yale Veterans Association, the Yale Alumni Nonprofit Alliance, the Yale Alumni Journalism Association, Yale Blue Green, 1stGenYale, the Yale Black Alumni Association, and the Association of Asian American Yale Alumni (AAYA), among others.
“It was a chance for the community of Yalies to see ways to get involved, whether in community service or in service to Yale,” says Lt. Josh Clapper ’16, a US Navy nuclear submarine officer who represented the Yale Veterans Association at the event in Washington, DC. “I hope people saw a chance to connect with Yale in a new way, even if that starts small.”
“What jumped out from my conversations with alumni was their commitment to applying their Yale education and experiences in diverse, impactful ways,” says Mike Jin ’13, who represented AAAYA at For Humanity Illuminated in Boston. “Seeing alumni from various backgrounds and decades coming together, sharing ideas, and inspiring each other reinforced my belief in the strength of community-driven change.”
“Whether you were seeing people you hadn’t seen in a while or meeting people for the first time, with Yale alumni there is instant commonality and an inextricable emotional bond,” adds Linda Chin ’81, who leads the Boston chapter of 1stGenYale. “Everyone seemed so genuinely happy to be gathering in person again!”