Eastern Illinois University’s Black Student Union hosted the Sankofa Awards on Saturday to celebrate Black excellence on campus and showcase seven performances from six different registered student organizations and one self-made artist.
Hosted in place of the Miss Black EIU pageant due to low contestant interest, the Sankofa Awards recognized staff and students on campus through eight awards.
Senior mass communication major Angeliyah Jenkins and sophomore bus analytics and information systems major Josh Brown, student hosts for the award ceremony, said the award ceremony’s purpose goes along with its title, “Sankofa,” a word from the Akan language of Ghana.
“Sankofa means to go back and retrieve what is left behind. It reminds us that to move forward, we must honor our past, learn from it and uplift those who continue the legacy. Tonight, we will do just that,” the two hosts stated.
Sophomore environmental biology major Mikayla Smith received the Rising Star Royalty Award, the first award of the night.
This award is meant to recognize a freshman, sophomore or transfer student leader who is already making a meaningful impact early in their EIU journey through leadership, confidence and involvement, according to the BSU Sankofa Awards application criteria.
Smith is part of the Taylor Panther LEADS, the National Residence Hall Honorary, the Residence Hall Association, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and is a Freshman Connection mentor.
“I’ve made an impact on campus through our residence halls. That’s what got my name out there,” Smith said, “I am honestly so surprised, so thankful and so honored to have even gotten an award. Thank you, BSU, for the award.”
Senior health sciences major with a focus on diversity and equity in health Alaina Collins was awarded the Next Legacy Award. Collins is also president of the EIU chapter of the NAACP.
This award is made to honor a graduating senior who exemplifies Black excellence and has built a meaningful legacy that will continue to influence the campus community, according to the application criteria.
Collins said she represents Black excellence on campus by inspiring other students.
“I stepped outside the box and made sure I’m in spaces where I can inspire students to be their authentic selves and make sure that no one dims their light,” Collins said. “I am happy that I’ve established a community at EIU that deemed me worthy of this award and that I am capable of leaving behind a legacy.”
Iota Phi Theta received the Organization Award, which was made to recognize an organization that actively supports BSU.
Senior kinesiology, sport and recreation major with a teacher licensure option and member of the fraternity Christopher Short said one of the main ways that the group showed support toward BSU is simply by showing up.
“People don’t know that sometimes just showing up and simply being there to learn and spread knowledge does help,” Short said.
Complex Director for Lincoln Hall, Stevenson Hall, Powell-Norton Hall, Greek Court and Pemberton Hall Arielle Kindred was awarded the Mona Davenport Excellence Award.
This award recognizes a faculty or staff member who consistently goes above and beyond their professional role to support, advocate for and mentor students, according to the application criteria.
Kindred said the way she shows up for students is by being a safe space they can turn to.
“Anytime a student goes through something, I let them know where my office is located. This is a safe space. I don’t care what you want to talk about, but you know that you can come here,” Kindred said. “It means a lot to me that people see me as a resource and that I play a foundational role in their life.”
Niyah Dean, a senior majoring in exercise science with a focus in pre-occupational therapy, received the Cecilia Brinker Legacy Award.
This award is made to honor Cecilia Brinker, former director of the office of leadership and engagement, and it is awarded to a student that leads with authenticity, school spirit and presence, according to the application criteria.
Dean said her determination to adapt into a new environment after transferring to EIU during the 2025 spring semester has made her unique.
“Transitioning into a new environment pushed me to adapt quickly, stay focused and work even harder toward my goals,” she said. “To be recognized in connection with Cecilia Brinker’s legacy means a great deal to me.”
Kennedi Coleman was awarded the Heart of BSU award, which is meant to recognize a member of BSU whose passion, commitment and spirit truly embody the essence of the Black Student Union, according to the application criteria.
The Student of Distinction Award was given to Valerie Harmon. The award is given to a student who excels academically while remaining actively engaged in campus and community life, the application criteria states.
The final award, the BSU Legacy Award, was given to Ariel Taylor, the adviser for BSU.
The award is meant to recognize an alum who reflects the Sankofa principle to honor your past while intentionally building a strong future, according to the application criteria.
“It’s my job, so sometimes I ask BSU not to give me awards, but I like that they recognize and support me as their adviser,” Taylor said. “I’m very happy.”
The awards ceremony also had seven performances. This included the Couture Models of EIU, the National Association of Colored Women’s Club, Strong M.A.N., Iota Phi Theta, Strong She, self-made EIU artist Prodigy and The Kat Walk.
Performances were expressed through movement and words. Brown highlighted the power of voice through spoken words when introducing NACWC, Strong M.A.N. and Strong She’s spoken word performances.
“Spoken words have always been a cornerstone of our culture as a way to tell our stories, speak our truths and honor our experiences,” Brown said. “It challenges, it uplifts and it inspires.”
A spoken word performance presented by Strong M.A.N. touched on more of the meaning the organization holds for the word “Sankofa.”
“Sankofa teaches us to go back again,” the group said. “We look back at our ancestors who built futures. We bless their hands. We look back at our fathers who survived storms and never talked about them. We look back at our brothers who didn’t make it, and we say their names in our success.”
Andrea Jimenez can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].
