The Ties That Bind: Family, Legacy and Spelman Homecoming 

With Four Spelman Women in Her Family, Brooke Spiva, C’2030, Carries a Legacy of Excellence into Her First Year 

Spelman College takes pride in its rich history and the intergenerational family legacies that are honored and celebrated. For first-year theater major Brooke Spiva, C’2030, who has four Spelman women in her family across multiple generations, the College is woven into her familial legacy, making annual events like homecoming a time-honored tradition. 
 
Spiva's mother, Dr. Yolanda Watson Spiva, C '91, was the first to establish their family’s Spelman legacy. Spiva’s aunts, Dr. Tenaya Watson, C’96, and Dr. Natasha Ball, C '2001, followed in Yolanda’s footsteps shortly after. Later, Brooke’s sister, Gabrielle Moore, C’ 2015, continued to carry the legacy forward before she enrolled in 2026. 
 
“Being part of a family with such a longstanding connection to Spelman fills me with immense pride, excitement, and gratitude,” said Spiva. “One of the most meaningful aspects of this legacy is knowing that I have four women in my family who understand the Spelman experience and whom I can turn to for advice, encouragement, and support. Whether I need guidance navigating college life or simply someone who understands what I am experiencing, I know that support is never far away. Sometimes, it is just one phone call or one knock on a door away.” 
 
HBCU homecomings, already filled with teary reunions and joyful celebrations, look different for families like Spiva’s, where multiple family members join together for the same Homecoming celebration.   


“Spelman Homecoming has always been one of the most meaningful experiences in my life, even when I was as young as six or seven years old. Our biggest homecoming tradition is making sure that we attend together, especially the tailgate,” said Spiva. “My family has connections to several tents, so walking around campus together, visiting familiar faces and wearing matching family T-shirts feels like attending a family reunion. It might be a little corny, but I absolutely love it, and I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything in the world.” 
 
Spiva expressed that her family's connection to Spelman is rooted in both proximity and the strength of the relationships they have built through the college. Though Spiva’s family has a history of attending Spelman, there was no set expectation of keeping the family tradition of going.  
 
Choosing Spelman was an individual choice, and Spiva felt that it would be the best choice for her future goals and growth as she automatically felt connected with the campus. 
 
“My decision to attend Spelman was entirely my own. I toured several universities, including other HBCUs, but there was something about Spelman that stood out to me,” said Spiva. “I chose Spelman because I wanted to be here, not because anyone expected me to be. That makes continuing my family's legacy especially meaningful. I am carrying it forward while still embracing the freedom to define my own future.”  
 

Spiva related the decision to her own aspirations. Despite many of the women in her family pursuing doctoral degrees, Spiva’s love for the performance arts was always respected and encouraged. Growing up, her family stressed the importance of excellence, which included academic achievement, high standards, and taking pride in one’s work. 
 
According to Spiva, growing up in her family meant growing up surrounded by accomplished women, which taught her the importance of working hard, pursuing her goals relentlessly, and striving to be the best version of herself.  Along with a commitment to excellence, Spiva was also taught the importance of sisterhood.  

“To my family, sisterhood represents dignity, loyalty, respect, admiration, and a deep sense of responsibility toward one another. What I especially admire about Spelman sisterhood is that it extends beyond simply being kind or supportive. It means holding one another accountable. It means loving someone enough to tell her when she is wrong, while also being intentional about recognizing and celebrating her when she is right. It requires honesty, compassion, and a genuine desire to see other women succeed. 
 
That is one of the most beautiful aspects of the Spelman experience to me. Sisterhood is not simply about having people who will stand beside you when things are easy; it is about having women who will challenge you to become better while reminding you that you are loved throughout the process,” said Spiva.