Our Mission: Provide collaborative spaces for Black advancement Professionals at independent schools. BANG works to gain further representation and greater professional growth of Black people in external relations, communications and advancement.

Our Why: The Black@ movement has called our schools to account for the impact of the ongoing anti-Black racism that has caused pain and trauma for generations of students. While Black advancement professionals have a unique role to play in helping our schools communicate what we intend to do to right these wrongs, we may find ourselves isolated or called upon to provide DEI services without compensation or even acknowledgement. BANG exists to provide support, connection and meaningful opportunities for leadership for Black professionals in this space.

Our Organization:  Black Advancement Networking Group (BANG) was created by three women, Jan Abernathy, Chief Communications Officer at Browning School, Courtney Archer-Buckmire, Chief Advancement Officer at Grace Church School, and Marjorie Jean-Paul, Chief Community Engagement Officer, Buckley Country Day School, for Black professionals throughout the independent school sector. We host meetings and workshops to discuss how to forge a path that provides greater opportunities, access and support to those in these roles at independent schools. 

Our Co-Founders: Three Black advancement – communications, marketing, alumni relations and fundraising – professionals at independent schools were called to come together to create an organization that supports and uplifts Black professionals in the work they do in independent school communities. We also believe that working collectively will lead to the further representation of Black people in the industry, and greater professional growth for those who are already in it. 

Jan Abernathy, Chief Communications Officer at Browning School

Courtney Archer-Buckmire, Chief Advancement Officer at Grace Church School

Marjorie Jean-Paul, Chief Community Engagement Officer at Buckley Country Day School