Ten members of the Northeastern Illinois University community were honored during the 18th Annual Black Heritage Awards ceremony on Feb. 28 at the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies (CCICS).
The Black Heritage Awards Ceremony program was developed and planned by members of the Black Heritage Committee that included staff, faculty and students. The Sankofa statues/awards that were presented to the recipients were crafted by Assistant Professor of Art KT Duffy and their student, James Welch, at the request of the committee. The event was co-hosted by the Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs and the Black Heritage Committee.
This year’s honorees were:
Destiny Davis, Project Success Student
Student Leadership Award
Eric Winslow, Social Work Major, SGA Vice President, Black Caucus President
The Dr. Wamucii Njogu Outstanding Student Award
Queen Mother Helen Sinclair ’84, retired chaplain, Illinois Department of Corrections
Alumni Award of Excellence
Sherry Williams ’17, Founder, Bronzeville Historical Society
Alumni Award of Excellence
Darlene Blackburn, Dancer, Choreographer, Educator
Community Service Award of Excellence
Nekenya Walker, Admissions and Program Advisor, Carruthers Center
The Dr. Sheena L. Warren Staff Award of Excellence
Amie Jatta, Director, TRIO
Administrator Award of Excellence
Courtney Francis, Instructor, TESOL
Faculty Award of Excellence
Dr. Marshall Thompson, Associate Provost, Academic Affairs
The Dr. Melvin Cleveland Terrell Award in Research and Literature
Theophilus “TY” Okosun, Faculty, Justice Studies
The William “Doc” Speller Lifetime Achievement Award
