Embracing the Power of our Differences
A Message from the Founder
Since 2023, the Village of Belonging has enriched Northeastern’s global community, welcoming people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Today, we remain resolute in our founding values, harnessing the strength of our differences to foster a culture of care, respect, and acceptance—at our university and around the world.
This is a time to reaffirm the Village’s mission to ensure that everyone feels seen and welcomed, and to intentionally support those who need it most. We’ll continue to deepen connections throughout our community by leveraging Northeastern’s many resources, from our cultural centers to student organizations, from our regional events to immersive global experiences. The Village is a place for all of us to come together, bridge gaps, and further meaningful collaborations and relationships.
You are a valued partner in the Village’s work. Whether you make a gift to a scholarship, club, or cultural activity, your support matters. When you attend a Northeastern event, you build lasting connections. Your actions can spark a life-changing impact for you—and for those around you.
Thank you for joining the Village and Northeastern in making a positive difference.
Sincerely,
Jennifer D. Barrymore
Vice President, Advancement Resources
Support the Village of Belonging
Philanthropy is a powerful catalyst for change. By making a gift to an area at Northeastern that aligns with your values, you signal your commitment to creating opportunities for all students and enriching pathways that help each person thrive. Importantly, your contribution will also fuel lasting positive change at Northeastern and in communities near and far.
We invite you to support one of Northeastern’s
cultural centers:
Or, you may make a gift to a featured funding opportunity:
Fundraising
Through the generous support of our valued donors, we continue to foster a culture of care, respect, and acceptance.
Village of Belonging Fund and the John D. O’Bryant Ghana Dialogue Fund
Pledge Commitments*
Outright Gifts*
*as of 5/22/2025
“Northeastern University is a vibrant community powered by rich connections, and we are united in the belief that we all emerge stronger when every individual is welcomed and supported. The Village of Belonging is a vital link to people, programs, places, and experiences that empower our students and alumni with a sense of connection and community across our dynamic global network.”
—Diane Nishigaya MacGillivray
Senior Vice President for University Advancement
Reconnect, Inform, Elevate
We all want to be part of a community where the whole is greater than the individuals. That is what the Village of Belonging does at Northeastern: We connect and reconnect people, provide a supportive space where we fit in, and use the power of Northeastern’s centers and institutes to help foster awareness and acceptance.
The Village of Belonging celebrates the uniqueness of our community. It nurtures relationships between alumni, and between students and other members across the Northeastern network from different backgrounds and groups. The Village also increases the visibility of opportunities for students within the university ecosystem and beyond.
Here are ways you can engage with the Village of Belonging:
Join our email list
Sign up to receive the Village of Belonging newsletter! Get news about resources, events, opportunities for engagement, and more, right in your inbox.
connect with us
Stay up to date with the most recent happenings in the Village of Belonging by following us on LinkedIn.
Wear your support
We are now selling Village of Belonging T-shirts. Get yours today!
Upcoming events:
Check back soon for upcoming events.
Our Community
The Village of Belonging offers a variety of experiences that bring our community together. From intimate cultural celebrations to global excursions, from meaningful graduations to vibrant pop-up gatherings, we create opportunities for connection across our dynamic network.
Members
Four Key Community Events
Black Alumni Weekend on Martha’s Vineyard (August 2023-2025): A summer gathering become a tradition bringing together Black alumni to reminisce, celebrate, and empower one another in the prestigious coastal setting of Martha’s Vineyard.
Cultural and Spiritual Life Graduations (May 2024 and 2025): Meaningful ceremonial celebrations honoring graduates’ academic achievements while embracing their cultural heritage and spiritual journeys through specially curated commencement experiences.
Cultural Excursions: Immersive international experiences including a heritage journey to Ghana (2024) exploring ancestral roots and cultural connections, followed by a dynamic London expedition (2025) celebrating global Black excellence and historical significance.
Village of Belonging Pop-Ups: High-impact regional gatherings designed to strengthen alumni networks and foster meaningful connections—Boston (March 2025), New York City (April 2025), and London (May 2025).
“As Chief Belonging Officer, I thoroughly enjoy collaborating with the Village of Belonging. As we look to the future, we are excited to continue to energize our alumni network and greater community. The Village showcases Northeastern’s commitment to nurturing a welcoming environment where everyone has a strong sense of belonging. Together, we will continue to work to create a space where every member of our community feels valued and can succeed.”
—Richard O’Bryant
Chief Belonging Officer and Director of the John D. O’Bryant African American Institute
Resources to Support You
Northeastern’s cultural centers embrace the experiences of all individuals in our community and empower connections as we work together to facilitate learning, discovery, and acceptance.
Asian American Center
Individual growth is at the core of the college experience. This center provides an environment where students explore all facets of their social identity and take an active role in shaping their time at Northeastern.
Center for Intercultural Engagement
This center fosters a sense of belonging for all students at Northeastern, building socially conscious communities through student-centered workshops, programs, and more.
Center for Spirituality, Dialogue, and Service
This center offers transformative experiences for spiritual exploration, interreligious dialogue, and service learning for all people in Northeastern’s global network.
John D. O'Bryant African American Institute
For more than 50 years, the institute has provided resources to further a culture of belonging, community, excellence, and service through programming, engagement, mentorship, and partnership.
Latinx Student Cultural Center
This center provides a home where students can celebrate their achievements and challenges, and it advocates for their academic, personal, and professional development.
LGBTQA+ Resource Center
Established in 2011, this center provides information, support, community space, programming, and resources that empower students to explore their identity.
Mills Institute at Northeastern University
Created to preserve and advance the legacy of Mills College, the Mills Institute supports leaders and helps all students become agents of change in a global, multicultural society.
Office of Global Services
The Office of Global Services (OGS) is an active resource to more than 20,000 international students and scholars who hail from nearly 150 nations.
Social Justice Resource Center
An innovative hub of collaboration, leadership, and action, this center builds relationships, develops partnerships, and creates spaces to elevate all students.