Bennett Belles
Belle Highlights
As Bennett College celebrates 100 years as a women’s college, this testimonial collection honors the voices, experiences, and legacies of the Belles who have shaped our past and are leading our future. From alumnae and students to faculty and friends, these stories reflect the transformative power of a Bennett education, the strength of sisterhood, and the enduring impact of a community committed to women learning, leading, and serving with purpose.
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Assistant ProfessorKiyona Brewster ’01Kiyona Brewster joined the Centre College faculty as an Assistant Professor of Sociology in 2017. Her teaching and research interests include race and ethnicity, gender, qualitative methods, family studies, and religion. -
Board ChairCassandra Jones Havard ’78Cassandra Jones Havard joined South Carolina Law as a professor of law in Fall 2022 after serving on the faculties of the Temple University Beasley School of Law and the University of Baltimore School of Law. -
AlumnaDebra Clark Jones ’84Debra Clark Jones ’84 served as Interim Executive Vice President and Chief Institutional Advancement at Bennett College. -
AdvocateYvonne Johnson ’64For more than four decades, Yvonne Johnson ’64 has been at the forefront of advocacy and public service in Greensboro, dedicated to advancing social justice and uplifting marginalized communities. -
21st Century BelleShayla Raye Sommerville Toulon ’06Shayla Raye Sommerville Toulon’s journey reflects the intersection of ambition, service, and the pursuit of excellence—a path forged through her time at Bennett College. -
SenatorSen. Gladys Ashe Robinson, PhD ’71Senator Gladys Ashe Robinson, PHD, a 1971 graduate of Bennett College stands as a testament to the power of education,leadership, and community service. With a career that spans over four decades, she has dedicated her life to advocating for those who are often left voiceless. -
21st Century BelleJennifer Sharron Campbell ’97As a senior manager of global leadership development programs at a Fortune 500 company, this Belle has truly redefined what it means to lead on a global scale. -
21st Century BelleDr. Briana Barner ’12Dr. Briana Barner ’12 received her doctorate in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas at Austin in 2021. -
Forever DeanMary R. Scarlette ’54Loving. Learning. Leading. Three words used to describe the legacy of “Forever Dean” Mary Ann R. Scarlette throughout her time at Bennett College. -
21st Century BelleCarmesha Blackmon ’22Carmesha Blackmon ’22 a Greensboro, NC native and Bennett College alumna, currently serves as a Senior Talent Development Specialist at ABC News and its eight owned-and-operated local stations. -
21st Century BelleAdiagha Faizah ’01As a Barrymore-award winning actress and playwright, Adiagha Faizah ’01 is the Visionary Founder of TheBlackHERthePen, a multidisciplinary writers collective for women of color. -
21st Century BelleTakema Keyes, MSW ’18Elected as the Head Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner of Washington, DC, this Belle has stepped into a powerful role driven by a deep belief in the power of change and the importance of representation.