In late spring 2020, in the wake of George Floyd's death and against a backdrop of growing solidarity with calls for racial justice across the U.S. and around the world, approximately 50 members of AAP's alumni came together to discuss issues of equity and inclusion with AAP Dean J. Meejin Yoon. As key contributors to a renewed college-wide conversation around anti-racism and belonging, the alums shared unique insight and ideas informed by their collective experience as students of color at AAP. This cohort of alumni who graduated in the 1990s and 2000s, have been colloquially dubbed the OMEA Alumni Group (OMEA alums), as a nod to the former Office of Minority Educational Affairs. Their candid dialog helped to form and develop plans for immediate and sustainable action. In addition to their critical contributions to the ongoing conversation at AAP, OMEA alums and other supporters recently gifted $100,000 to the college to advance programming for historically underrepresented students throughout their time at Cornell.

The OMEA Alumni group all state that they "benefited immeasurably" from the later disbanded Office of Minority Educational Affairs while AAP students. In their discussions with the Dean, OMEA alumni emphasized the importance of a dedicated, well-supported office and staff to ensure that AAP students from historically underrepresented backgrounds receive the support needed for academic and professional success from enrollment to graduation and beyond.

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