2024 Wrap: Twelve Months, Twelve Pics

By David Tarverbiking, events, family, travel

2024 will be over in a few hours. Kishna, Nadiyah, and I are on a year-ending trip to visit family and friends. As always, I feel moved to reflect upon and summarize the year, but this year the summary consists of just 12 pictures, one for each month. I hope you enjoy my brief review, and that it inspires you to take a moment to reflect on 2024 from your own vantage point.

Wishing you many blessings and much happiness in the coming year.

Let’s Stay Together.

David

January

2024 began with a bang as Aaron and I were able to experience a Michigan Rose Bowl victory together. That was a first for both of us! Click for related article.

February

Had an absolutely marvelous week in Singapore. Icing on the cake was that Aaron and Lesley and the grandkids met Kishna, Nadiyah, and me there. This picture was taken atop the spectacular Marina Bay Sands Hotel, our home for the week.

March

Probably the best evening of 2024. Talented keyboardist/singer Joana Rodrigues invited me to sing with her at K Bueno Steakhouse in Cascais, Portugal. It was a magical night.

April

Nadiyah turned 16 in April, and she has developed to be the beautiful, intelligent, thoughtful young lady we hoped she would be. She and we are truly blessed.

May

Had a great time visiting Milan with Kishna in May. A wonderful opportunity to spend time with our hosts, longtime friends Tony and Gianna Genovese. Really enjoyed riding my Brompton folding bike around central Milan to see the sights up close and personal. The visit with Tony and Gianna was the first of several “colleague reunions” I experienced in late May to late June. Click for related article.

June

In the 1970s, the first wave of black engineers and scientists established a presence at what was then the world’s foremost telecommunications research and development organization, Bell Telephone Laboratories. In June we held a Bell Labs Friends Reunion that included many of those pioneering engineers and scientists along with friends and colleagues who supported our work. We had a great time reminiscing and celebrating important career accomplishments. Thanks to Wale and Jackie Akinpelu, Marian Croak, and Dean Harris for co-sponsoring the event with me.

July

On July 17, this young lady and I celebrated 20 years of wedded bliss. We had a delicious dinner at Takoi restaurant in Corktown, then posed for this picture.

August

Time for a family vacation in paradise. Kishna and I hosted (l-r) nephew Yasin, brother Mikal, niece Maryam, sister-in-law Stephannie, mom Tanya, Nadiyah, and brother Jamal at the incomparable Villa Lolita, located in the Tryall Club, Sandy Bay, Jamaica. The week went by entirely too quickly.

September

This aging engineering alum received the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) department’s Alumni Merit Award during homecoming week. This was on top of receiving the Distinguished Alumni Service award from the College of Engineering back in 2016. I felt moved to add a couple of special wrinkles to my acceptance “lecture,” with the help of one very talented musician. See related article.

October

In addition to teaching my Urban Entrepreneurship Practicum class at U-M, and in addition to leading the Urban Entrepreneurship Initiative (UEI), in October I got down to work as a coach for entrepreneur teams associated with the U-M Ross Impact Studio in the School of Business. My bandwidth is just about depleted now, but working with the talented students, staff, and fellow coaches makes it worthwhile. (Colleagues l-r: Moses Lee, Erica Yang, Nicolle Gusz, Julia Maddox)

November

Kishna, Nadiyah, and I served as volunteer Democratic Party voter canvassers this Fall. Here we are, looking hopeful and confident the weekend before the election. Boy, were we in for a disappointment! Never mind, though – we shared an experience of community service and political activism with Nadiyah that we hope will benefit her throughout her life. We intend to be tough and to stand strong, come what may.

December

A quick trip to New York to see my two older children and my grandchildren. Time is flying! Alia (the littlest one) is already 1, and Naijah (big boy) is almost 3. Any day I can spend with these two is a good day. Adult family members, l-r: son-in-law Corey, Aaron, Stacy, daughter-in-law Lesley.

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14 thoughts on “2024 Wrap: Twelve Months, Twelve Pics”

  1. Hi David
    I was thinking of you today and decided to do a little checking up.
    Loved your 12 months of pictures of the neat places and wonderful family. Also, reading about your continued success!
    Keep up the good work! Your old neighbor/ tennis buddy Pat

    Reply

    1. Hi Pat! Great to hear from you. Hope you and JoAnne and the “girls” are all doing well. And I remember that you’re not just a neighbor and tennis buddy, but also landlord for the early days of TAS! I’ll never forget your father’s advice, because I quote it all the time: “Never sell something unless you need the money!”

      Reply

  2. Mr. Tarver,

    The pictures are beautiful. I had a front row seat when you, Charles and Steve were navigating uncharted waters by starting your own tech company, designing and manufacturing innovative test equipment in Monmouth County, NJ.

    I am nostalgic for those days and forever grateful to all my TAS colleagues for the incredible experience. Can’t wait to tell Steve B. and Kim that you wrote a book about us 😉

    Reply

    1. Bill, you were definitely there when the grease was still hot – our first “marketing cat.” Really appreciate the great work that you and Steve B. did in those early days, and had great fun on our early marketing foray to Japan. Hope all is well with you and your family.

      Reply

  3. Thank you for sharing this wonderful album of all your adventures for 2024. Your energy and and enthusiasm for life is truly awe inspiring! Love to you and your beautiful family. Warmly, Marian

    Reply

  4. David,
    What a lovely depiction of your life in 2024! You and your family continue to amaze me.
    Warmly,
    Marian

    Reply

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