Brunonians from across the globe came together to support the people, programs, and promise of Brown.
On November 30, alumni, students, parents, and friends showed their love for Brown. Nearly 3,500 supporters came out for Giving Tuesday, raising more than $4 million in gifts to the Brown Annual Fund.
Financial aid, medical education, public health programs, engineering research, diversity and inclusion initiatives: Brunonians gave back to causes closest to their heart.
See what areas they supported, preliminary results, and leaderboards for Giving Tuesday at Brown.
In celebration of this special giving day, we shared stories of some remarkable students whose Brown experience was made possible in part by the generosity of Annual Fund donors.
Camille Aquino ’24
financial aid recipient
For members of the Class of 2024, their first year at Brown was anything but ordinary. They began their college journey during a global pandemic when distance learning was the norm and in-person events were non-existent. It could have been a lost year—but not at Brown, and not for Camille Aquino ’24.
“To me, Brown just stands apart as a college that promotes self-actualization by guiding, not dictating, how students cultivate their passions and skills,” she says. “The opportunities for expression and self-exploration are endless at Brown.”
Gisel Bello MD’22
Warren Alpert Medical School student
The daughter of Dominican immigrants and a proud first-generation college graduate, Gisel Bello MD’22 has kicked in her share of figurative doors. If there’s one thing she’s learned during her journey from the housing projects of Harlem to medical school, it’s that if you kick in a door, you must help someone else through.
“My passion for supporting first-generation and underrepresented students like me comes from the outpouring of support I’ve received from mentors throughout my circuitous path to medical school. I know that without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It’s a no-brainer to support those who come after me,” she says.
Yesenia Gomez ’25
School of Engineering student
Yesenia Gomez ’25 was in a summer engineering program in high school when she heard a concept that stuck out to her: the struggle in engineering isn’t to support the average person, but the extremes—the people who are different.
“As a low-income, queer, first-generation, Chicana student, the groups that I identify with are severely underrepresented in engineering,” she says. “I want to be the change I wish I saw in this field.”
Esteem Brumfield MPH’22
School of Public Health student
To say that Esteem Brumfield MPH’22 had a nontraditional childhood would be an understatement. His mother gave birth to him while incarcerated. His father was wanted by law enforcement for his involvement with the Black Panther Party during the 1960s and 70s. They lived off the radar and on the run. Without formal education, he didn’t overcome illiteracy until he was an adult.
“My decision to enter public health emerged through these experiences,” he says. “I have a strong focus on systems-level change to address social determinants of health and other health disparities because I have lived through these system-level failures.”
Giving Tuesday is a global day of philanthropy, bringing people together around the value of giving back. The Brown community celebrates this day with a 24-hour fundraising drive on November 30, 2021. Gifts made on Giving Tuesday support our students where it’s needed most, including the financial aid that makes the Brown experience possible for our many of our students.