Nine Recognized at Fourth Annual Black History Month Celebration and Awards Ceremony
The fourth annual Black History Month Celebration and Awards Ceremony, hosted by SLU's Cross Cultural Center, took place on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
Nine honorees were recognized for their leadership and achievements from across the University.
"The purpose of this event is to celebrate and recognize the success and accomplishments
of Black faculty, staff, and students," said Luella Loseille, assistant director of
the Cross Cultural Center and organizer of the Black History Month Celebration and
Awards Ceremony.
"This event aligned with the national theme for Black History Month which is A Century
of Black History Commemorations. We gathered to not only celebrate the achievements
of the awardees but to also recognize and honor the legacy of the SLU Black community,
from those who were enslaved to the first Black students to integrate the institution."
The Black History Month Celebration & Awards Ceremony featured performances from local, Black performance groups and was catered by Black-owned business, Collective Catering.
Nine individuals were presented awards that recognized their leadership on campus.
Three Emerging Leaders awards were presented to rising undergraduate students for demonstrating exceptional leadership ability and contributions on campus. The award recipients were Grace Ford (Science and Engineering, ’28), Triston Ivory (Science and Engineering, ’27), and Daimian Nonami (Social Work, ’26).
The Outstanding Graduate award was awarded to Layah McDonald, graduate assistant for the Student Involvement Center and master’s student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration program.
Ryan Wilson (School of Education) and Gregory Triplett, Ph.D. (Dean of School of Science and Engineering) were both awarded the Dr. Jonathan C. Smith Faculty/Staff Appreciation Award. The award is named after SLU’s late inaugural vice president for diversity and community engagement and which recognizes campus leaders who have shown tremendous dedication and commitment to supporting the Black community at Saint Louis University.
Billiken basketball player, Kellen Thames, was awarded the Gamechanger Award while Erica McBride, program director of Multicultural Alumni Engagement, received the Black and Bold Award.
The grand award of the evening, the Mkeka Award, was presented to Sabrina Tyuse, Ph.D., associate professor of Social Work. This award recognizes a long-term faculty or staff member of SLU for their service on campus and for paving the way for the rest of the Black community to thrive at the university.
“Black history is not separate from American history," said Richard Marks, Ed.D.; Assistant Vice President and Director of the Cross Cultural Center. "It is American history. February gives us a moment to reflect, but the impact, the innovation, and the influence of Black people must be recognized and honored every day of the year. It’s an honor to celebrate this event on SLU’s campus and give acknowledgment to our fellow Black faculty, staff, and students who help move SLU forward everyday.”