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Honorees Recognized at 3rd Annual Black History Month Celebration and Awards Ceremony

02/25/2025

The third annual Black History Month Celebration and Awards Ceremony, hosted by SLU's Cross Cultural Center for Global Citizenship, took place on Saturday, Feb. 22. Eight awards were given out during the event to students, staff, and faculty 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. "It's become increasingly important for the SLU Black community to come together in celebration, support and community to create belonging."

The third annual Black History Month Celebration and Awards Ceremony recognized eight members from the SLU community .Front row, from left, are award winners Travis Threats, Ph.D.; Knieba Jones Johnson, Andre Benson and Wendy DuCassé. Back row from left are Siyani Scroggins, Cyan Kelley, Luella Loseille, event organizer; Faith Townsell and Sam Hall. Submitted photo courtesy of MICX Studios.

The third annual Black History Month Celebration and Awards Ceremony recognized eight members from the SLU community. Front row, from left, are Travis Threats, Ph.D.; Knieba Jones-Johnson, Andre Benson and Wendy DuCassé, DSW. Back row from left are Siyani Scroggins, Cyan Kelley, Luella Loseille, event organizer; Faith Townsell and Sam Hall. Submitted photo courtesy of MICX Studios.

The Black History Month Celebration and Awards Ceremony also featured performances from Spirit of Angela West African Dance & Drum, the Divine Voices of Praise--SLU's newest gospel singing group--and was catered by Black-owned business, Collective Catering. 

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:

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 Sam Hall, a second-year MSW candidate at the Saint Louis University School of Social Work.

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:

The Black and Bold was awarded to Andre Benson, senior academic advisor in the Chaifetz School of Business. 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.

In Kwanzaa cultural celebration traditions, the Mkeka (The Mat) is symbolic of the Black tradition and history and therefore, the foundation on which things are built. 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 Travis T. Threats, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences.