Stony Brook University’s chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) hosted an Image Awards Ceremony on Sunday November 17, in the Student Activities Center Auditorium to recognize the achievements of students, faculty and student organizations. The executive board of the NAACP Stony Brook Chapter and the NAACP Image Awards Committee distributed 23 awards ranging from professional development and community service to best social programming award and philanthropic banquet.
Host Omar Thompson opened the ceremony with light comedy, followed by performances and award presentations. Jennifer Boateng, Event Coordinator for the NAACP Stony Brook Chapter, believes that this program reflects NAACP on the rise. “The Image Awards is an event that acknowledges our own dynamic students, faculty members and organizations that reflect the leadership dedication on Stony Brook’s campus.”
The performances featured Levi Withers who sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a modern dance performance by Venettes Cultural Workshop Inc., and Spoken Word by Quamina Belgrave. The program also featured a song selection by Nia Shavette and Khairika Al Sinani, dance performances from Déjà vu Dance Troupe, and a tribute to Trayvon Martin from Mike Bizz and Lani G.
“The performances fit the classy theme of the image awards, and I’m excited to see the new talents introduced next year,” said Sabrina Charles, Second Vice President for the group.
Briana Brown, Fall 2013 President of the NAACP Stony Brook Chapter, spoke on the call to action, urging students and guests to join the 104-year-old organization and become active in the group’s upcoming activities. She also recognized departments/offices and individuals that supported the group’s vision to empower its students, faculty and student organizations, to promote a sense of belonging to Stony Brook, to increase alumni support and to increase communication between students and faculty: Office of Advancement, Office of Admissions, Office of the Provost, Office of the Dean of Students (Anthony LaViscount and Dean Jerrold Stein), Black Faculty and Staff Association, School of Social Welfare (Mamie Gladden and Marvin Colson), Weekend Life Council (Christine Noonan), Student Activities (Karen Lee), and the Undergraduate Student Government (Chris Muller).
Briana Brown is a College of Engineering and Applied Sciences student and a December 2013 graduate. She will be succeeded by sophomore Shaneell Burton, First Vice President of the organization. At the end of the ceremony, Brown invited her executive board to join her on stage as she introduced them. She then encouraged all the guests to attend the reception held in SAC Ballroom B.
Congratulations to the following awardees:
Outstanding Faculty Award: Tracey Walters, Assistant Professor of Literature, Africana Studies
Outstanding Faculty Advisor: Jarvis Watson, Senior Counselor, EOP/AIM
Chairman’s Award: Cheryl Chambers, Multicultural Affairs
Spingarn Award: Dexter Bailey, Vice President of Advancement
President’s Award: Operation Smile
Lifetime Achievement Award: Charles Robbins, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
Lifetime Achievement Award: Frances Brisbane, Dean, School of Social Welfare
Community Service Award: Project Sunshine
Prime Philanthropic Banquet: Caribbean Student Organization, Thanks-For-Giving
Most Outstanding Male Greek Organization: Pi Rho Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi
Most Outstanding Female Greek Organization: Pi Delta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta
Collaboration Award: Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
Educational Program Award: MALIK Fraternity Incorporated for “Real Negus”
Emerging Student Leader: Shaneell Burton
Most Outstanding Student Organization: Student African American Brotherhood
Multicultural Program Award: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender Alliance
Social Program Award: Caribbean Students Organization
Distinguished Service Award: National Association of the Advancement of Colored People, Stony Brook Chapter
Cultural Heritage Award: Latin American Student Organization
Multicultural Leadership Award: Shalonia Gardener
Prime Fashion Show: African Students Union
Prime Multicultural Banquet: Haitian Student Organization
NAACP Recognition Award: Black Womyn’s Association
About the NAACP Stony Brook Chapter
The chapter at Stony Brook was reinstated in Spring 2011 after being inactive for more than a decade. The mission of the NAACP Stony Brook Chapter is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all students on campus. The chapter also serves to inform, advance and educate African Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities; to stimulate an appreciation of the African Diaspora and other people of color’s contribution to civilization; and to develop an intelligent, effective youth leadership.
Students, faculty and staff are welcome at the NAACP’s upcoming events, including Kushinda Gala on February 16, and can find out more about the group’s community service projects, professional development and mentoring initiatives by emailing sbunaacp@gmail.com. You can also learn more about the group on Facebook.
Fall 2013 NAACP Stony Brook Chapter Executive Board
President: Briana Brown
First Vice President: Shaneell Burton
Second Vice President: Nicole Sylvester
Treasurer: Charles Greenaway
Assistant Treasurer: Mohammad Tahir
Secretary: Brandon Bennett
Assistant Secretary: Gabby Batson
Director of Community Service/Youth Outreach: Quamina Belgrave
Event Coordinators: Jennifer Boateng, Sabrina Charles and Charisma Hollis
Public Relations: Sabrina Charles, Julie Colon, Tevin Hodge, Esther Mutolo and Ray Reinoso
Sophomore Representative: Brandon Gordon
Graduate Advisor: Melisa Ruiz
Advisors: Marvin Colson and Mamie Gladden
Co-Advisor: Jarvis Watson
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