Honoring Our Alumni
Connect with illustrious alumni from the Black and Latino Columbia-Barnard communities
6pm - 9pm
University of the District of Columbia Ballroom
The Planning Committee for the 2023 Columbia-Barnard Jam Weekend is thrilled to welcome Black and Latino Columbia and Barnard alumni from across the country to the Nation’s capital from July 14th through July 16th. An exciting weekend is planned to celebrate each other’s accomplishments and our special connection to that Morningside Heights institution. Reconnect, reminisce, and catch up with friends and classmates … share old memories and create new ones. Take this opportunity to connect with illustrious alumni young and old from the Black and Latino Columbia and Barnard communities and share in their unique and diverse journeys.
Activities will get underway starting from Noon – 3:00 pm on Friday, July 14, 2023 with a book signing session of Columbia/Barnard Authors including former United States Attorney General Eric Holder. The festivities will continue that day, with a reception with hors d’oeuvres, beverages and music beginning at 6:00 PM in the University of the District of Columbia's Ballroom on Connecticut Avenue. At this event we will celebrate the achievements of noted alumni.
There is more!
Saturday begins with a group visit (for the 1st 55 registrants) to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History and Culture at 10 AM and ends with the legendary JAM beginning at 7:30 PM. The weekend ends with our traditional praise and remembrance service on Sunday at 10 AM celebrating and acknowledging the lives of classmates gone too soon.
This event is run by Black Alumni Council of Columbia University.
The complete schedule for 2023 Columbia-Barnard Jam Weekend
Friday, July 14, 2023
Noon – 3:00 PM Book signing with Columbia/Barnard Authors
Omni Shoreham Hotel and Resort 42500 Calvert St., NW Washington, D.C. 20008
6:00 PM– 9:00 PM Reception Honoring Our Alumni
University of the District of Columbia Ballroom
4200 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington D.C. 20008
Saturday, July 15, 2023
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Group Visit
Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture
1400 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20560
7:30 PM – 11:30 PM Black/Latino Alumni Jam!!!
Omni Shoreham Hotel and Resort
Sunday, July 16, 2023
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Worship Service
Omni Shoreham Hotel and Resort
Alumni Representatives:
Nina Shaw is a founding partner of Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bobb & Dang. She specializes in television, motion picture, and live stage areas. A native New Yorker, Nina was born and raised in Harlem and The Bronx, educated in the New York City public school system. She is a graduate of Barnard College and Columbia Law School. Among her clients are successful and award-winning actors, writers, producers, and directors as well as entrepreneurs and entertainment executives. She began her legal career with the law firm of O’Melveny & Myers.
Nina is a multi-year Variety Dealmaker Impact honoree to The Hollywood Reporter’s “Women in Entertainment Power 100” list. She is a recipient of the WIF Crystal Award, has been named Entertainment Lawyer of the Year by the Beverly Hills Bar Association and Essence Magazine awarded Nina with a Black Women in Hollywood Power Award. Nina has been profiled in the New York Times: “She’s the Hollywood Power Behind Those Seeking a Voice.” In recognition of Nina’s professional, social and educational activists’ contributions, Columbia Law School awarded her their prestigious Medal for Excellence Award and the NAACP LDF it’s National Equal Justice Award.
Nina is a long-standing advocate for the education of girls and women. She is a board member of the MPTF, Array and a Barnard College Trustee.
Robert Wisdom graces each of his diverse screen roles with a powerful, profound and cool presence-- from his commercial hits to his bold and proactive performances in a variety of new features. He starred on HBO's The Wire, generating wide critical praise. Wisdom appeared in The Hawk is Dying at the Sundance Film Festival, starring Paul Giamatti, Michelle Williams and Michael Pitt. In addition, Wisdom had a pivotal role in the Oscar-Award winning film Ray starring Jamie Foxx. Wisdom's versatility can be seen in films such as Storytelling opposite Selma Blair, Duplex opposite Drew Barrymore and Ben Stiller, Barbershop 2: Back in Business with Cedric the Entertainer and The Forgotten starring Julianne Moore. Wisdom has also appeared in the independent feature, Coastlines, directed by Victor Nunez. He also spent five months doing improvisation work to shape his character for director Michael Radford's Dancing at the Blue Iguana co-starring Daryl Hannah and Jennifer Tilly. Wisdom's success can also be seen on the television, including the critically acclaimed series Cracker, opposite Robert Pastorelli. His other credits include If These Walls Could Talk with Demi Moore and Sahara. His guest appearances include ER, NYPD Blue, Dharma and Greg, Judging Amy, and Boomtown.
Wisdom was raised in Washington, D.C., the middle of three children of Jamaican parents. He attended St. Alban's School in D.C., then graduated from Columbia University in New York with a degree in history and economics. Wisdom's passion is world music and he plays several percussion instruments, including Cuban drums, and has traveled the world following his passion.