Celebrating Black Alumni – 2026

Keith Reeves earned his degree from Swarthmore College in political science with a focus on Black Studies and public policy. He is now a professor of political science whose scholarship examines incarceration and justice issues at the intersection of race, criminal justice, and public policy. Reeves has published widely on mass incarceration and its disproportionate impact on Black communities, pairing rigorous academic research with actionable policy recommendations for reform.

Sabrina Martinez graduated from Swarthmore College with a B.S. in engineering and later earned an MBA with a focus on organizational behavior and human resource management from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. She is currently the Workforce Analytics and Reporting Manager at Memorial Hermann Health System. As a co-author of three books, she brings extensive experience in healthcare workforce management, with her work emphasizing the use of data analytics to enhance healthcare delivery and workforce development. Her publications cover topics related to healthcare management and organizational development.

Dr. Justene Hill Edwards is a scholar of African American history whose work focuses on the history of slavery in the United States, with particular attention to the lived experiences of enslaved people and the enduring legacy of slavery in American society. She earned her Ph.D. in History from Princeton University in 2015, holds an M.A. in African New World Studies from Florida International University, and received her B.A. in Spanish from Swarthmore College. Her scholarship includes numerous articles and book chapters on slavery and its aftermath. Her first book, “Unfree Markets: The Slaves’ Economy and the Rise of Capitalism in South Carolina,” examines the economic worlds created by enslaved people and their central role in the development of American capitalism.

Paul Cato, a 2014 Swarthmore graduate in Religion, was an active member of the Black Cultural Center, helping foster community for Black students. He remains engaged with Swarthmore through alumni events and student mentorship. Now a Black feminist scholar, his work explores Black traditions of love and religion, including a current book on James Baldwin, and he is active in efforts against racism and ableism, with writing published in The Los Angeles Review of Books and The Point.

Tracey Patillo Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree with honors in economics from Swarthmore College and is currently Vice President for Financial Planning and Analysis at the Urban Institute, where she leads budgeting, planning, forecasting, and financial management. She previously held senior leadership roles at the World Wildlife Fund and the World Resources Institute, spent nearly 20 years in financial planning and analysis for global nonprofits, and currently serves on the board of the Anacostia Watershed Society.

David Arthur earned a B.A. in environmental studies from Swarthmore College and holds a second bachelor’s degree in philosophy, politics, and economics from Balliol College, University of Oxford. He has more than 15 years of experience in Washington, D.C., including work on Capitol Hill and at the Environmental Protection Agency, and is a member of the American Association of Blacks in Energy and the Washington Government Relations Group.

Kennette Banks ’06 earned her B.A. in Linguistics and Education from Swarthmore College and her M.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania. She is the founder of Consulting with Kennette, where her work centers on operational excellence and inclusive leadership. Passionate about equal access to education, she supports leaders and organizations committed to equity-driven impact. Kennette provides 1:1 strategic coaching for directors and executives in edtech and philanthropy, designs high-impact professional development and leadership retreats.

Taylor Tucker earned her degree in Education and Black Studies from Swarthmore College. She later pursued a master’s degree and teaching certification at the University of Pennsylvania. At Swarthmore, she served as SASS Co-President and was a founding member of STAR (Students for Transformative Justice, Abolition, and Reform), helping to launch student efforts focused on criminal justice reform. Her academic work centers on the intersection of mass incarceration and education, particularly the experiences of Black women with incarcerated family members — research that began with her senior thesis and continues to shape her scholarship and advocacy. She now serves as an English teacher at Archmere, the same school she once attended as a student.

Charmaine earned her bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College in Special Education and Sociology/Anthropology and a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. As an experienced educator, coach, and school leader, she brings expertise in curriculum development, educational research, public speaking, and nonprofit leadership. Her work is rooted in a strong commitment to social justice and student-centered teaching and learning.

Dakota holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Philosophy from Swarthmore College. With experience supporting diverse youth, advancing social entrepreneurship initiatives, and working across arts and academic institutions, he currently serves as Assistant Director of the Center for Innovation & Leadership (CIL) at Swarthmore College. Dakota is an accomplished musician with extensive experience in performance, composition, and audio recording.

Dr. Delvin earned his bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Swarthmore College. He earned his Master of Arts from the University of Michigan and his Doctor of Education from the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in Educational, Organizational Leadership, and Administration. With nearly three decades of experience in education, he has served in a range of teaching and leadership roles within the Tredyffrin-Easttown School District, including English teacher, assistant principal of Conestoga High School, principal of Valley Forge Elementary School, director of electronic learning, and director of assessment and accountability. He currently serves as Head of School at Gill St. Bernard’s School, where he continues to lead with a deep commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and student-centered learning.

Fania Davis is a world-renowned social justice activist, scholar, civil rights trial attorney, restorative justice practitioner, and writer. She earned her B.A. in French Literature from Swarthmore College, her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law in 1978, and her Ph.D. from the California Institute of Integral Studies in 2003 with a concentration in African Indigenous Knowledge. A leading national voice on restorative justice, Dr. Davis focuses her research on the field’s African indigenous roots and its transformative potential. Her work advances restorative justice as a powerful framework for mediating conflict, strengthening community, and repairing harm.