Excerpt from an interview with Audrey M. Peterson

Teanu Reid ’16 began supporting her school and fellow students shortly after she arrived at Brooklyn College. She has continued giving back and engaging with her alma mater as she works on her Ph.D. at Yale.

Teanu Reid came to Brooklyn College undecided about her major, but she ultimately earned a bachelor’s degree in history. She also began giving back to her school as early as her freshman year, applying for and being hired for the school’s annual phonathon fundraiser. A joint Ph.D. student in history and African American studies at Yale University, Reid tells us about her time at Brooklyn College, how she began her “career” of giving back, and how, as an alumna, she continues to support her alma mater.

As an alumna you have been integral in giving back to Brooklyn College, but even as a student you started giving back.

I worked on the phonathon all four years while I was there. I had never had a real job before as a freshman. I came straight out of high school, I signed up for it, and I got it. And I went back every semester after. It was fun working with Patty Allen [director of the annual fund]. I also worked at a couple of the BC galas (Best of Brooklyn) and other fundraiser events. Since I graduated, I’ve come back for a career panel about graduate school education and postgraduate studies. I’ve also been called by the phonathon and given then, and to the emergency fund during the pandemic.

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