SMITHFIELD, R.I.- This past February, the Bryant women's volleyball team highlighted current and former players in celebration of Black History Month. The Bulldogs featured three active members of their team and four alumni stretching back over the past 30 seasons. 

London Hunt: Class of 2026

"Being a black athlete at the collegiate level means a lot to me, because growing up it was hard to be comfortable and comfortable in environments where I didnt see a lot of people that looked like me. It has made me very grateful to the players that came before me, and paved a way for black athletes. I feel very blessed to be a part of something that carries a lot of meaning on and off the court."

Nadine Abdat: Class of 2027

"Growing up I didn't have any coaches that looked like me or many black teammates. It made me want to be the role model I needed for myself when I was younger along with being a role model for all the other young black athletes."

Brookelyn Talmadge: Class of 2027

"[Being a black collegiate student athlete has] made me become a role model for so many younger black female athletes who look like me."

Alumni:

Brianna Bruny: Class of 2019

"During my time at Bryant I was fortunate enough to make lifelong friends both on and off the court and be a part of several organizations on campus such as WOKE athletes, Psi-Chi, and Black Women's Blueprint.

 After graduating from Bryant, I attended the George Washington University where I completed my post-baccalaureate coursework and obtained a Master's degree in speech language pathology. Currently I am a pediatric speech language pathologist at a private practice in Washington DC.

I help children of all ages with their early language development, children with autism spectrum disorder, speech sound disorders, pre-literacy skills, social communication skills, receptive-expressive language delays, and motor speech delays in a play-based therapeutic approach."

Bunmi Akinnusotu: Class of 2003

Bunmi Akinnusotu is a proud Rhode Island native and child of Nigerian immigrants. She graduated from Bryant in 2003 as a dual major in Computer Information Systems and Marketing, and minored in Sociology. 

Her successful volleyball career and academic life were part of the foundation of her professional achievements. From Bryant, she also gained lifelong friendships, an ever supportive community of coaches, staff and faculty, and developed critical leadership skills she still applies to her professional life. 

Since 2003, Bunmi became an Americorps volunteer, worked as a non-profit fundraiser in Chicago, served in President Barack Obama's administration at the Environmental Protection Agency, and led programs that bring greater diversity to the field of international relations. In her current role at the Aspen Institute, Bunmi uses her experience in domestic and foreign policy to uplift innovative solutions to complex problems coming from mayors and cities around the world. 

Jennifer (Carvalho) Bailey: Class of 1998

Jennifer Bailey was a four-year member of the Bryant women's volleyball team from 1994 to 1997. In 2005, she was inducted into the Bulldogs Hall of Fame as one of the top setters in the program's history. During her freshman year, she was named the Northeast-10 and AVCA regional freshman of the year as she played a pivotal role in leading the Black and Gold to their first NCAA tournament appearance. Off the court, Bailey was a member of the first African American Greek Organization at Bryant; Zeta Phi Beta. She also participated in MSU's Extravaganza Cultural Fashion Show, and was a member of the Bryant Step Team.

"Bryant is, and will always be, so special to me," said Bailey. "It is the home of a family that will forever be frozen in time. Some of my proudest moments live there".

Bailey is now a mother of three and currently works in talent acquisition with Honeywell in Atlanta, Georgia. When asked about her time in Smithfield she said, "The rigor at Bryant has prepared me well for every chapter in my career".

The Honorable Judge Keisha Alleyne: Class of 1996

 Alleyne attended Bryant from 1992 -1996 where she earned a Bachelor of Science, with a concentration in accounting. While attending Bryant University Judge Alleyne was a charter member of the first African American Greek Organization at Bryant, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. in 1993. She was also an active member of the Bryant University Volleyball Team from 1992-1996 where she was the captain in her senior year.  

Judge Alleyne graduated and went to Thurgood Marshall School of Law where she attained her Juris Doctorate Degree. She then achieved a Lawyers Masters Degree in Taxation from New York Law School.  After a 15-year-long career as a defense litigator and watching the civil unrest of 2020, she decided to make a bigger impact by running for New York Civil Court Judge in 2021. 
Judge Alleyne attributes her success to the educational foundation provided to her at Bryant University. As a result, she was able to start her own business Elite Visions Enterprise which provided leadership and development programming for children in schools. Bryant taught her to be an advocate for social justice and the importance of service to others. Judge Keisha Alleyne truly lives by the words of her fellow Brooklynite Shirley Chislom "If they don't give you a seat at the table bring a folding chair."