Entrepreneur and Leader Powers Citywide Celebration
Wheaton Rallies Bulldogs for Historic HBCU Classic at Wrigley Field
Alabama A&M University is set to make history at Wrigley Field, and Chicago alumna Connieve Wheaton is making sure the moment reaches far beyond the ballpark.
As the Chicago Cubs and Black Baseball Media host the first HBCU Baseball Classic at Wrigley Field, with Black Baseball Media also organizing a slate of alumni-centered events throughout the week , Alabama A&M will take part in a nationally significant celebration of HBCU culture, legacy and excellence. For Wheaton, the moment is both historic and deeply personal, and she has mobilized alumni across the country to ensure the Bulldog presence is felt throughout the city.
“We are excited to welcome Alabama A&M alumni from across the country to Chicago,” Wheaton said. “This historic moment is about more than the game — it’s about experiencing the pride, connection and hospitality that define the Bulldog family.”
Wheaton, a Chicago native, serves as president of the AAMU Chicago Alumni Chapter, regional vice president for Region 6 and chair of the Council of Presidents for the National Alumni Association. Her leadership has transformed the Classic from a single game into a weeklong experience rooted in connection, pride and visibility for Alabama A&M. Her connection to the University spans generations, including a sister who is a two-time alumna and a daughter, Tyra Kettle, who is currently a sophomore psychology major at Alabama A&M.
Her journey to “The Hill” began with a defining decision. As a high school senior, she applied to three historically Black colleges and universities, but a full Presidential Scholarship from Alabama A&M made the choice clear.
“My dad informed me that I would be going where I was fully covered — AAMU,” she said. “I had never been to the campus before. I am forever grateful for my choice.”
At Alabama A&M, Wheaton built the foundation for her career and leadership. A business management major, she was active in the Honors Program, A&M Gospel Choir, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and helped found the sixth chapter of House Arrest II (HA2) Dance Team, Inc., leaving a legacy that continues to shape student life today. She continues to give back to the University, including helping to establish a scholarship supporting students through the HA2 Dance Team legacy.
“My best memories of my time on The Hill come from being a member of the HA2 Championship Dance Team,” she said. “I am proud to have assisted in being a co-founder and leader of this organization that is still present today.”
After graduating in 2007, Wheaton advanced through management roles with Walgreens before transitioning to the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, where she rose to a GS-12 disability claims examiner. Following a recent layoff, she leaned fully into entrepreneurship, launching a business focused on custom button design and VHS digitization services.
“With digitizing VHS tapes, I get to bring the memories of others to life,” she said. “Seeing past footage from historical events and loved ones who came before us is pure medicine you never knew you needed.”
That same passion for preserving memories and building community now fuels her work around one of the most significant moments in Alabama A&M athletics.
The week builds toward the historic May 2 matchup, when Alabama A&M will face Prairie View A&M at Wrigley Field. In addition to organizing events across the city, Wheaton will take part in the game-day ceremony, performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” with the HBCU Alumni Choir, a group she also helped found.
The Chicago HBCU Baseball Classic Week includes:
- April 26: HBCU Alumni Softball Game at Englewood STEM High School
- April 30: HBCU Welcome Mixer at the SpringHill Suites host hotel
- May 1: HBCU and Greek Mixer in downtown Chicago
- May 2: Alabama A&M vs. Prairie View A&M at Wrigley Field
- May 1 and May 3: Additional Alabama A&M games at Wintrust Field
- May 2: HBCU Classic Day Party and HBCU Reunion at Brickhouse Tavern
Wheaton said the week is about more than events. It is about legacy, visibility and ensuring the next generation of Bulldogs experiences the same sense of pride and opportunity that shaped her journey.
“I am looking forward to seeing thousands of HBCU supporters coming together to celebrate this movement here in Chicago,” she said. “Moments like this remind us why we stay connected, why we give back and why we continue to build for the next generation.”