5X will recognize members of the university community for supporting diversity, equity and inclusion at the university during the Harambee Awards celebration on Friday, Nov. 3, at the 5X Hotel and Conference Center. The Harambee Awards celebration, formerly known as the Social Responsibility and Diversity Awards, recognizes students, faculty, alumni and community supporters who provide outreach support and programs focused on increasing the success of underrepresented and/or underserved students at Kent State.
The celebration will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m. The reception will be followed by the awards presentation at 6:15 p.m. The event is free to attend, but attendees must RSVP online by visiting www.kent.edu/harambee or by contacting N.J. Akbar at nakbar@kent.edu by Tuesday, Oct. 31, at 5 p.m.
“This event is a way to celebrate the broad depth of diversity, recognizing our own who strive to create a climate of change in our community in transforming ways,” says Shana Lee, co-chair of the Harambee Celebration committee and director of diversity and inclusion leadership in Kent State’s Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
The award recipients are:
Dr. Daniel Mahony Award for Social Responsibility:
Honorable Judge Annalisa Stubbs Williams
Akron Municipal Court
Outstanding Creative Contribution Award:
Veronica Cook-Euell
Program manager, supplier diversity
Student Voice Team
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Advancing Diversity Scholarship Award:
Cassandra Storlie, Ph.D.
Assistant professor, counselor education and supervision
Graduate Student Inclusive Influence Award:
Ashley Johnson
Ph.D. student, school psychology
Alumni Legacy Award:
Tameka Ellington, Ph.D.
Assistant professor, School of Fashion Design and Merchandising
Community Impact Award:
Educators and Community Helping Hispanics Onward (ECHHO)
Undergraduate Student Inclusive Influence Award:
Emonte Wimbush
Senior, fashion merchandising major
The Dr. Daniel Mahony Award for Social Responsibility, which will be awarded this year to Judge Williams, is given annually by Kent State’s University College and the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to an individual or organization who has achieved eminence for distinctive service relating to and/or enhancing diversity in a humanitarian nature, positively impacting the Kent State community.
“Judge Williams was selected for her unwavering commitment and dedication to the Akron community,” says Mr. Akbar, co-chair of the Harambee Celebration committee and assistant dean in Kent State’s University College. “She was chosen from a very competitive group of dedicated individuals to diversity within our community.”
Judge Williams, who has a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Kent State, was first elected to the Akron Municipal Court in 2003. She received a master’s degree in urban studies and Juris Doctorate from the School of Law, both from the University of Akron. Before joining the Akron Municipal Court, Judge Williams was a former assistant director of law, domestic relations referee and worked in private practice within the areas of criminal, juvenile, domestic relations and personal injury law.
“I am truly honored to receive the Daniel Mahony Award for Social Responsibility from my alma mater,” says Judge Williams after being notified that she was the recipient of the event’s highest award. “As a judge, I strive to ensure equal access to justice for all that come before the court. I have always had a deep-rooted passion for helping others and volunteering for causes close to my heart, and Kent State is where I was able to turn my dreams into reality. To receive recognition for what I believe I have a moral obligation to do is truly humbling.”