Alumni reflect on activism at Voices of Change panel
VCU alumni returned to campus to reflect on activism, identity and creative resistance during the “Voices of Change: Stories from Alumni” panel at Virginia Commonwealth University. Held at James Branch Cabell Library and coordinated by Special Collections, the event created space for open dialogue about how student experiences shape lifelong commitments to justice and community engagement.
The panel was moderated by Vineeta Singh, Ph.D., program director for Interdisciplinary Studies and professor. Singh guided the conversation with questions that encouraged panelists to reflect not only on what they did as students but also on how those formative years influenced the paths they forged to the present. While the discussion centered on activism locally and abroad, it highlighted the value of approaching complex social issues from multiple perspectives, a hallmark of interdisciplinary thinking.
Four alumni shared their stories, each illustrating a different approach to advocacy and cultural change.
Dale M. Brumfield (BFA 1981, Painting; MFA 2015, English) spoke about his work in independent publishing and prison abolition advocacy. He reflected on how storytelling and historical research can challenge dominant narratives and expand public understanding of incarceration and justice.
IBé Bulinda Hereford Crawley (B.A. 1981, English; M.Ed. 1988, Education) explored the role of art and archival practice in preserving marginalized voices. Crawley emphasized the importance of documenting community histories and using creative expression as a form of peaceful resistance.
Krissi Vandenberg (B.S. 1996, Biology; M.S. 2008, Sociology) shared insights from years of grassroots organizing, including feminism and vegan advocacy. Her remarks underscored the power of sustained, local engagement and the importance of building inclusive spaces for dialogue and action.
C. A. P. Ward (BFA 2021, Communication Arts) highlighted the intersectionality of queer visibility through illustration and direct community driven action. Ward described how comics and visual storytelling can shape cultural conversations and affirm identities that are often pushed to the margins.
“This panel grew out of a visit our team made to Special Collections last year that was organized by Christina Draper,” said Vineeta Singh, Ph.D., program director for Interdisciplinary Studies. “That’s where I met Sarah Scarr and Ruth Cody and first heard about the exhibit they were planning. When I later saw it in person, I was struck by how they organized it by medium rather than chronology or topic. It’s an innovative way of presenting history that creates new connections between events and perspectives.”
Throughout the evening, a common thread emerged. Activism rarely fits neatly within one discipline or role.
Instead, it draws from lived experience, creative practice, research and community collaboration. Singh noted that understanding social change requires an openness to different forms of knowledge and expression, a principle that resonates across many academic and civic spaces at VCU.
“Voices of Change” served as both a reflection and a call to action. By sharing personal journeys, the panelists reminded students that meaningful impact often begins on campus and continues long after graduation.
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