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Honorees Recognized at Black History Month Gala and Awards Ceremony

02/23/2024

SLU's second Black History Month Gala and Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Cross Cultural Center for Global Citizenship and co-sponsored by the Office of Alumni & Donor Engagement and Graduate Student Association, took place Saturday, Feb. 17. Nine awards were given out during the event. 

The event also featured performances from Spirit of Angela West African Dance & Drum, a local Black performance group that also teaches classes on West African dancing traditions. Food was catered by Black-owned business Pure Catering St. Louis. 

Award Recipients

Three Emerging Leaders awards were handed out. The awards were given to rising undergraduate students for demonstrating exceptional leadership ability and contributions on campus. The winners were:

Outstanding Graduate Award

An Outstanding Graduate award was given to graduating students (undergraduate or graduate) who have exemplified excellence, leadership, service, and character throughout their time at Saint Louis University. This year the award was given to Julius Agongo, a Ph.D. Candidate in Chemistry.

Game Changer Award

The Game Changer Award was given to  a Black student-athlete for demonstrating excellence within their sport. This year's recipient was Kennedy Calhoun, a member of SLU's women's basketball team.

Dr. Jonathan C. Smith Faculty/Staff Appreciation Award

The Dr. Jonathan C. Smith Faculty/Staff Appreciation Award, named after SLU’s late inaugural vice president for diversity and community engagement, was given to faculty and staff members who have shown tremendous dedication and commitment to supporting the Black community at Saint Louis University while facilitating major social change on campus and within the St. Louis Community. The winners were:

Black and Bold Award

The Black and Bold was awarded to Manisha Ford-Thomas, Ph.D. The award is designed to recognize a member of the SLU community who has lived their truth without limits to their Blackness at this institution and through their actions, have encouraged others to be their truest selves as well.

Mkeka Award

In Kwanzaa cultural celebration traditions, the Mkeka (The Mat) is symbolic of the Black tradition and history and therefore, the foundation on which we build. This award recognizes long-term faculty/staff members of SLU for their service on campus and paving the way for the rest of the Black community to thrive at SLU. This year the recipient was Donna Bess Myers, Senior Advisor in Division of Student Development.