BIPOC Unity Leadership Awards

The BIPOC Unity Leadership Awards

Recognizing the Commencement of select students who exemplify leadership in programs with the BIPOC Unity Center or other programs across campus.

The Awards

An older woman is sitting and looking slightly off to the side of the camera with a faint smile on her face. She is wearing a white suit jacket against a white background. Her hair ends at her ears and is salt and pepper grey.

The Gloria L. Hobbs Award

Cultivating empathy, helpfulness, and a willingness to go above and beyond.

The Du Bois/Mandela Award

Pursuing scholarly achievements, service, and civic engagement.

A split image of two photos. The first is of Mary Chung Hayashi. She is a middle aged woman smiling into the camera. She wears a pearl necklace, pear earrings, and a dark suit jacket. Her hair is golden brown and ends right before her shoulders. It is parted to one side. The second image is of Jim Thorpe. It is a black and white photo of him as a young man starting off into the distance. His brow is furrowed and his eyes are squinted as if looking into a bright light.

The Chung/Thorpe Award

Leadership and involvement in IC communities of color.

A split screen with two images. The first is of Dr. Chawla. She is a woman wearing an orange astronaut suit smiling at the camera. Her hair is dark and straight and parted down the center. The second is of Dr. Ochoa. It is sepia colored. He is an older man sitting to the side in a white lab coat. His hairline is receding and his hair is greying. He is looking at the camera but is not smiling.

The Chawla/Ochoa Award

Contributing to research and knowledge creation.

A split image of two photos. The first is a black and white photo of Cesar Chavez as an older man. He is standing with is arms crossed, smiling at the camera. His salt and pepper hair is short and blowing in the wind. He wears a dark crew cut sweater. The second is a black and white photo of Audre Lorde. She is wearing a short afro, and a heavily patterned sweater. She is leaning toward the camera at an angle and has a closed lipped smile on her face.

The Chávez/Lorde Award

Social change for the Ithaca College and local community.

CEREMONY

Students may be considered for ONE or ALL 5 categories, pending completing the written portion based on the category(ies) that best reflect your engagement at IC and beyond. Each award recipient will receive a Kente stole that corresponds to the respective award and have your name recognized at the BIPOC Unity Leadership Awards ceremony on May 20, 2023 at 4pm in Ford Hall (Whalen).  To learn more about this tradition please feel free to visit our  website.  

This form will close on March 13th at 11:55PM ET. 

To nominate a student please log into Engage and search forms with “2023 BIPOC Unity Leadership Awards Nomination” or use this link.

To access this application please log in to Engage and search forms with "2023 BIPOC Unity  Leadership Awards Application" OR use this link.

All stoles: Each kente cloth graduation stole features the same two designs: a woven symbol and stripes, binding our community in purpose and tradition.

Nea Onnim No Sua A Ohu: A symbolizing "lifelong learning and knowledge". We celebrate the incredible journeys of our IC graduates and rejoice in knowing this is not the end. The skills they've developed, the memories they've created, and the connections they've built are a launching point.

Green, Yellow, and Red Stripes: These stripes remind us that kente is a tradition we draw upon from Ghana, as Ghana's flag is also red, yellow, and green. Kente cloth is the weaving of royalty and is worn for important and sacred ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, and worship. Learn more about this history here.
In addition to the stoles, each attendant is given the opportunity to receive a cord to provide a visual reminder that in solidarity, "We see you, we value, we applaud you, and we honor your excellence as BIPOC Unity Leadership at Ithaca College"

Kente Cloth Graduation Stole

The Gloria L. Hobbs Stole

Blue - The color of loyalty, inspiration, and imagination. Nsaa Symbol- for excellence and genuineness.

The Du Bois/ Mandela Stole

Red-the color of passion, energy, longevity, and sacrifice. Mframadan Symbol-for fortitude and preparedness.

students with their stoles smiling for the photo

The Chung/Thorpe Stole

Blue-the color of trust, healing, love, and joy. Adin Krahene Symbol-for greatness and leadership.

The Chawla/Ochoa Stole

Purple-the color of loyalty, dignity, wisdom, and ambition. Nkyimkyim Symbol-for initiative, dynamism, and versatility.

The Chávez/Lorde Stole

Black-the color of strength, provocativeness, fierceness, and maturity. Epa Symbol-for law and justice.