Niyah Ahmad is an independent filmmaker with a passion for social commentary, community service, and compelling storytelling. Her goal as a writer and visual artist is to blend narrative and experimental techniques to create bold and evocative pieces that inspire societal change and highlight topics such as heritage, equality, identity, and mental health. Her work has been screened across the country, including at the Anderson Gallery in Richmond, Virginia and the Student Experimental Film Festival in Binghamton, New York. She recently finished a photography internship with the Children's Museum of Richmond and is currently pursuing sound design and directing. She plans to work within the film industry and open her own production studio after graduation. 

Niyah is described by her department as a remarkable student with exceptional talent, work ethic, and community spirit who is deeply respected by her Filmmaking faculty. Niyah has a near perfect GPA, and is always striving for growth in her filmmaking and career. As evidence, she received an unpaid videography internship at the Children's Museum of Richmond and won the Photography + Film Department's “David Robert McLellan Scholarship” two years in a row for her exceptional writing and film work. Beyond academics, Niyah has already worked as a professional production assistant for the Apple TV show "Swagger," produced by Kevin Durant and based on his life. She is also participating in the Oakwood Arts’ JET Accelerator Program, which prepares individuals for work on union film and television productions and expedites their film production union membership. Niyah's involvement in the program is a result of her volunteerism with Oakwood, an organization dedicated to making film, photography, and media education accessible to all.

Céline (she/her/heya) is an art educator from Roanoke, Virginia, pursuing her Masters in Art Education at VCU. She is honored to be recognized for this award and thankful for the care, support and love she has felt from her family, her professors and her cohort. 

She is a MAE+ graduate student committed to racial justice, particularly Black individuals' dignity and history. She examined art education theory and practiced through a critical lens. For example, she made a series of heatmaps in a data visualization project connecting class and queerness in Cairo, Egypt, and Roanoke, Virginia. In doing research for this project, she investigates issues of classism and linguistic bias in the queer community, queer history and contemporary issues in Egypt, and dynamics of visibility and invisibility. In addition, she actively participates in community service as radical practice for social change. For example, she has dedicated her time to teaching underrepresented and economically disadvantaged youth and children through after-school programs and collaborating with local non-profit organizations. As evidence of her research and academic achievement, she was invited to share her multilingual art education curriculum to pre-service art teachers at VCU and RISD, as well as with art educators across the state at the 2022 VAEA conference.

Ajana Dechelle Bradshaw is a Master’s student in the Department of Art History. Her concentration is in museum studies, and she currently works as a data collector and a conservation technician at different institutions in Richmond. In Ajana's free time, she enjoys vinyl record collecting, playing video games, and walking her boxer dogs, Montey and Tippy. During her first year in the graduate program, Ajana began researching the story of a little-known nude portrait of Josephine Baker by the French painter Jean-Gabriel Domergue. Finding the portrait was the beginning of Ajana's topic for her Qualifying Paper: "Uncovering the Nude: Josephine Baker as The Black Venus." To support her work Ajana received a School of the Arts Graduate Research Grant to visit archives in Paris. She has located several versions of the painting and collected new material relevant to the artist’s relationship with Baker. Ajana’s paper investigates the cultural, theoretical, and art historical frameworks that inform Baker's portrait and her experience as a Black female nude model in early twentieth-century France. Ajana thoroughly enjoys researching and documenting Baker as a nude model for paintings and looks forward to enriching the scholarship of this timeless figure, Josephine Baker.

Kaija Bratcher has an excellent attitude toward learning, and a professional and dynamic demeanor when working in the lab. She is confident, capable and not afraid to experiment and try new things. If something doesn't work, she tries it again! This resilient outlook is extremely valuable for a future scientist, as experiments often require much optimization before they succeed. Kaija has a high GPA, which no doubt is the result of a lot of diligence, commitment, and a love of science, as many of the courses she has been successful in are quite challenging. 

Derek Brown is a Master of Public Administration at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. Prior to pursuing his graduate degree, Derek completed undergraduate studies at Longwood University where he graduated in 2017 with a major in Criminal Justice/Criminology. A native of Central Virginia, Derek strives to give back to his community and the Commonwealth. He works as a local Pretrial/Probation Officer in the City of Petersburg. Since August 2017, he has served the citizens of Petersburg by giving back to an historic community, assisting in the betterment of the lives of many community members living through inequity and finding a way to positively impact the lives within a predominantly African American Community. Through the MPA program, Derek has gained much knowledge as it pertains to inequities within impoverished communities, critical-thinking skills pertaining to how he can better serve local communities and the importance of public administrators to the citizens they serve. His motto is: “I live my life to serve others”. As an African American public servant, Derek's road in life has led him to the goal of assisting in the betterment of the community he serves. He aspires to be an empathic, strong, and decisive community leader, who continuously evokes others to experience positive change within their lives. Derek credits his parents, pastor, employer, and professors in the MPA program for continuously challenging him to better serve the community and give back to others as he has received.

(Photo Credit Jacob Wall 2021)

Justin R. Cockrell (they/them) is craft artist, printmaker, and storyteller from Columbus, Ohio, currently living, learning, and making in Richmond, Virginia. Their practice is rooted in the objects and materials that relate to the concept of “home” and explore ways that queerness, grief, and race can shape domestic space. Focusing in textile they translate techniques such as natural dyeing, quilting, and stitch along with the material languages of wood and metal to chronicle a magical realist perspective of the grotesque and beautiful truths of being raised on the internet in the beginning of the end of world. They have exhibited in the Made in VA 2022 exhibition at the Virginia MOCA in Virginia Beach, To Keep You Warm: an exhibition of quilts at the Anderson Gallery in Richmond, Virginia and the undergraduate juried exhibitions at VCU. They are also slated to present to at the 2023 Virginia Humanities Conference hosted by Germana Community college and are a recipient of the 2023 Black History in the Making Award from VCU. Justin is currently pursuing a BFA in craft/material studies and BA in Spanish at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Justin exudes appreciation and possesses a mature and developed understanding of the fields of fiber, textiles, and Craft. Identifying as a "craft artist, printmaker, and pop star with an obsession for function, fibers, and things that snap and snarl", Justin inspires fellow peers in the department. Craft/Material Studies faculty describe Justin as one of the most inquisitive students they've taught; constantly moved by material and traditional processes that keep the hands active. Justin reaches out and grasps for every opportunity to become a stronger craft artist by taking workshops and classes outside of the academic term, attending every lecture possible, and applying for grants and scholarships to further their growing trajectory in the field. Justin was recently nominated by faculty to receive a prestigious scholarship to attend a workshop at Anderson Ranch Art Center this summer.

Jayla Davis is a senior here at VCU, majoring in African American Studies with a concentration in Social and Behaviors and minoring in psychology. Jayla is a fellow with VCU's Health Humanities Lab at the Humanities Research Center. She is participating in research on mental health disparities within the BIPOC community. As a Black feminist, Jayla is currently working on a collection of research on Black feminism and representations of race and gender within various civil rights movements. Jayla plans to continue her research on Black mental health and stigmatization and Black feminist methods post-graduation. Outside of academia, you can find Jayla working with adults with intellectual disabilities to integrate back into their communities.

Excerpts from the three professors who wrote to nominate Arrington

"An excellent student who shows great capacity of leadership and dedication to the interests of social justice and minority communities. Bright, engaging, thoughtful and dedicated, she is a person of great potential."

"I write to nominate Arrington Evans for the Black History in the Making Award. Arrington is an exceptional student, a budding professional and a person of high character who exemplifies the spirit of this award and its broader mission. She is most deserving.

This award embodies more than academic success. Previous winners demonstrate a commitment to what I would describe as the common good. They also aspire to career paths that contribute to the community and set their strengths to the betterment of others. Peruse Arrington’s resume and, despite her age, you will see a history of service and leadership channeled toward a likely career in civil rights and law. From her internship at Her Bold Move to her participation in GEHLI’s Minority Political Leadership Institute Program, Arrington leans in.

Honoring Arrington with this award is not only appropriate, but it is a way to once again shine a light on students who will, through their deeds, inspire others. She is genuinely impressive, and likely far more than the modest assurances I offer in this letter. I worry in fact that my words are an inadequate expression of how amazing Arrington is. I hope you can see past my limitations and celebrate her accomplishments."

From Arrington Evans, when hearing of the department's nomination for the award

"My nomination is truly and sincerely an honor and the award itself is honestly an amazing way of celebrating Black History here at VCU. This really makes me proud!"

Kyree Fisher is a senior pursuing a BFA in Graphic Design with a Minor in Computer Science. His passion for Human-Centered Design is evident in his design work, which focuses on accessibility and creating the best experience for all people. He is currently working on his senior capstone project, which aims to create an accessible and visual program for creating worlds.

He has excelled academically and has been recognized for his outstanding work in the field, including receiving the Phillip B. Meggs Memorial Scholarship for Graphic Design and being nominated for the "Black History in the Making" award. The Graphic Design faculty have characterized Kyree as a "strong, thoughtful, passionate student with a strong work ethic”, and also as an "engaged practitioner and structured thinker". In addition to his academic achievements, Kyree has gained valuable professional experience as a Design Intern at circle S studio, where he is responsible for graphic and mockup development, photo editing, and building out web designs, among other tasks. He is also heavily involved in the VCUarts community, where he has worked with the VCUarts Dean suite since his freshman year, creating designs for the school and promoting VCUarts programs and events. Through his work with VCUarts, he also created the VCUarts Alumni Gift Guide, a website that promotes VCUarts alumni and entrepreneurs.

A native of Virginia, Nyah Graham grew up in Stafford, VA. She was especially
interested in History as a child, always favoring Social Studies as a subject throughout her public education. Her favorite pastimes were googling historical facts on her dad’s computer and reading historic fiction books, which often got her in trouble for showing her classmates when they got too real. Her passion only grew when she came to Richmond, expanding her view of the world in completely new ways in and out of the classroom, moving away from fiction and onto facts.

Graham enjoys interacting with faculty and asking questions she’s always been curious about through her work-study position at VCU History, and HistoryNow!, a student organization that visits historical sites around Richmond. She still loves watching historical dramas, no matter how bad they might be.

Lisa Graves is currently a 4th year Ph.D. candidate in the Chemistry Department focusing in Inorganic Chemistry. Her research involves the synthesis, characterization and electrochemical analysis of catalytic materials for the hydrogen evolution reaction. In addition, Lisa holds a B.S. and M.S in Chemistry from the College of William and Mary. After obtaining her doctorate degree, Lisa plans to pursue a career in research and development in the private sector.

One of Lisa's professors, Indika U. Arachchige, PhD, wrote, "In the lab, Lisa is very enthusiastic about research and complete assigned tasks on time. She is independent and creative with her approach to research and exhibits skills that would be an asset to any group working in Inorganic Materials Chemistry [. . .] Looking back at her accomplishments and strong passion and commitment for research, I anticipate that Lisa will perform exceptionally well in the Chemistry Ph D program at VCU. Among the graduate and undergraduate students that I have mentored, I rank Lisa as a top 5% researcher and an excellent teacher and educator. I am impressed with the intelligence and thoughtfulness she brings into her research and expect great things of her in the future."

Tahlia was an outstanding student in her fall studio classes. She was a committed participant in discussions where her humorous and thoughtful commentary set an excellent example for her classmates. Tahlia led group projects with organization and sensitivity, helping her whole group succeed. Her professor remarked that he "was impressed by Tahlia's maturity, curiosity, and her positive influence in the classroom." Tahlia achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA in her first semester at VCU.

Walter Jeffries III is a recent graduate from the School of Business, with a major in economics and a minor in statistics. While attending VCU, he was also a general member of the Student Economics Association, where he assisted the Board with outreach to alumni for networking events; and the VCU's Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, where he discussed Virginia’s democracy through a nonpartisan focus on higher education reform. He has been among the top students in several of his courses, as well as on the Dean's List. Outside of class, Walter has worked at local stores, dealing with customers and creating a positive work environment, after graduation he is looking to pursue a career in data analytics. In his free time he loves to spend time with family and watch basketball.

Sierra (Susu) Johnson is an incredible artist educator, eager to share her passion with others. They have presented collaborative work on "The Ripple Effect of Beloved Community Engagement", inspired by the local community-engaged art project, Mending Walls, at the Virginia Art Education Conference this past fall and will be presenting at National Art Education Conference this spring in San Antonio, Texas. Susu's artwork has been featured in various gallery shows, and her oil painting titled, Delicate, was selected for the juried 2022 Black History Month Exhibition by the Crossroads Art Center. Susu is an amazing individual who is deserving of this honor and so much more.

Raquel Jones is a third year undergraduate student majoring in Interdisciplinary Science, with a minor in General Business. After graduating, Raquel has plans to obtain an advanced degree in Public Health or a related field, with ambitions to investigate adverse health outcomes in black women with regard to infertility, cancer and other disparities. Her future plans include starting an initiative that advocates for ethical health protocols for POC women, and exploring cosmetic science. She currently serves as the Secretary of Black Women in STEM at VCU, which serves as a space for underrepresented women to advance, network and grow in an enriching environment. Raquel is also a writer for HER Campus at VCU, an online magazine for college women, where she writes about important issues facing black women and her personal experiences. She is an iCubed Commonwealth Scholar, where she works under Dr. Kristina Hood as a research assistant in the PROGRESS Lab (Promoting Equitable Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Sexual Health Outcomes), completing research surrounding surrounding HIV interventions in black couples, infertility stigma in black women, and black emerging adult women’s experiences with gendered racial microaggressions.  Raquel was recently accepted as a distinguished undergraduate presenter at the 69th Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, where she will present her research surrounding black women’s identity alongside her lab peers. She is also a mentee in the African American Alumni Mentorship Circle. Outside of VCU, Raquel is a member of the Alliance for the Low-Income and First-Generation Narrative. (AL1GN), and works part-time off campus. She also volunteers consistently with Girls Like Me, an organization aimed to increase the self-efficacy and self-esteem of girls aged 11-17. Raquel has also volunteered at the Science Museum of VA and Feedmore with her respective organizations.

Oscar Kemp is a senior studying social work and public management. He is a first-generation student born and raised in Danville, Virginia. Most recently, Oscar Kemp was named the Undergraduate Student Representative to the VCU Board of Visitors, Fulbright Semifinalist, and a McNair Scholar. He currently serves as the Senior Intern in the VCU Office of the President managing the Presidential Student Ambassadors Program (PSA), on the Board of Directors for the Council on Social Work Education, and is President of the VCU Association of Black Social Workers. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with loved ones, traveling, and writing poetry. 

Oscar's drive to make the world a better place through his social work degree has led him to pursue opportunities beyond his wildest dreams, and his accomplishments are helping to pave the way for other students. Not only did he spend this past summer engaging in a prestigious fellowship at the University of Michigan, but he wanted to share his experience with other VCU students to encourage them to apply for summer opportunities that will enhance their college journey and expand their post-college options. He led a You First Presents discussion on this topic in October. You First Presents is a speaker series for first-generation faculty and staff to share topics and encouragement for first-gen students, and Oscar was the only student to lead one this fall.

Rachel Keys is a senior in the Kinetic Imaging department in the School of the Arts. Her work primarily focuses on the exploration of her own culture and family. She plans on working as a commercial video editor after graduation.

Kinetic Imaging is excited to recognize Rachel for her new work archiving connections and spotlighting tenderness within modern black family structures. They stated, "Her senior project is a testament to how our students employ their practice based research to immediately and directly support their communities through creativity and building collective memory by using media as a mirror. In her recent screen tests where she collects oral histories from the elders in her community, she embarks on a very promising beginning stage of merging rigorous organizational methods informed by black feminists and contemporary multimedia documentary practices. By allowing multiple points of access into the stories she collects, her work tackles dynamic and necessary accessibility concerns and thinks through its own media-specific preservation. We celebrate Rachel for this work, her disciplined study, and genuine sense of curiosity for the discovery process."

Kayla Lundy, from Norfolk, Virginia, is an expectational Fashion Merchandising student minoring in Media Studies. Kayla is a leader who boldly speaks up for herself and others. Her first leadership role was as the Social Media Manager for VCU BLK IN FASHION. Currently, her roles include Fashion Director at Ink Magazine, the Fashion Department Student Advisory Board, and the Director of the 2023 VCUArts Fashion Event. 

These experiences and roles have influenced Kayla by giving her the ability to have a seat at the table and create projects that are meaningful to her. As a young black woman, Kayla wants to change the narrative that society has put on women of color. She loves to help other students and give people opportunities to shine as well. Her mission is to bridge the gap within the fashion industry by creating a community for people like her.

McDonald share, "My name is Raechel McDonald and I'm super passionate about mental health. Since starting college, I've experienced high highs and lowest of lows. Throughout my journey, I continue to make an effort to prioritize my mental health whether it's through prayer and spending time with God, crocheting, or going out with friends. It's a hard journey, but the process of loving and caring for myself has been nothing but rewarding. I've been so blessed to come to college and get an education about things I'm super passionate about. VCU has granted me the opportunity of meeting incredible people and experiencing so many new things."

Takeya McLaurin currently serves as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Administration and Chief Diversity Officer for the VCU Department of Athletics. In this role, Takeya oversees various administrative operations to include human resources, policy, records, game contract management as well as the department's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. She is also the sport supervisor for the VCU Women’s Lacrosse and Field Hockey programs.

McLaurin holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Old Dominion University where she double-majored in Marketing and Information Systems. She also holds an MBA with a concentration in Human Resources Management from the New York Institute of Technology. Takeya is currently a doctoral candidate within the VCU School of Education pursuing a Doctorate of Education with a concentration in Educational Leadership.

Takeya is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and is a proud wife and mother to her husband Dr. Anthony McLaurin and children, AJ, Camren, and Noah Brielle.

The Department of Educational Leadership shared, "Takeya is a Senior Associate Athletic Director at VCU. One of her duties is DEI where she has had a noticeable impact with planning and incorporating DEI considerations into athletics. Takeya has also been an outstanding student in the EdD program and would be a great recipient of the award. She is truly an outstanding leader."

Jessemia Meekins is a senior double majoring in Forensic Science/ Forensic Chemistry
concentration and Chemistry/Biochemistry concentration. She has been engaged in two forensic science research labs. Jesse is described by one PI as highly motivated, resourceful, and enthusiastic. Her other PI said that inside of 6 months of Jesse being on the lab team, she contributed significantly to a project and is a co-author on a manuscript. She has found the time and space to be engaged, even though she has a job and is busy with classes. Jesse is also being mentored by one of our own alumni, who is in Chicago and she met through the AAAC (the African-American Alumni Council). As Jesse’s grades reflect, she is outstanding in her coursework as reflected by her graduate level Statistics professor who states she is easily in the top 1% of all the students he has taught.

Chimdindu is a fourth-year Counseling Psychology Ph.D. student at VCU. She completed her bachelor's degree in Exercise Science at Georgia State University(GSU) and her master's degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling also at GSU. Her primary research and clinical interests involve cultural, familial, and international approaches to disability rehabilitation and adjustment, particularly in African and African American populations with Traumatic Brian Injury and other neurological conditions. Her interest also extends to understanding social determinants of health and various psychosocial factors that influence recovery and adjustment to neurological conditions. 

She serves as a student representative on the Department of Psychology Committee for the Promotion of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (PrEDI Committee).  She is an executive board member of the Brain Injury Association of Virginia. She is also a board member of Division 22 African Diaspora Special interest group, which aims to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice within rehabilitation psychology training, clinical, research, and advocacy efforts. 

She was recently awarded the African Diaspora Special Interest group- student poster award, which recognizes outstanding trainee research in rehabilitation for Black populations.

JaQue Patterson is the embodiment of perseverance. This amazing young man has successfully overcome a number of obstacles that would have stopped many others without his fortitude. A former foster child who was adopted as a teen, JaQue transferred to VCU in 2019. Initially, he planned to major in biology, but as soon as he found his academic home in the Wilder School's Homeland Security Emergency Preparedness program, his grades and motivation increased exponentially. JaQue is a student who adds life and light in all of his classes. One of his professors shared, "JaQue is an amazing young man. He often comes to see me outside of class just to run some ideas by me, or simply comes just to chat. I truly appreciated his contributions to class discussions as he has an ability to research disparate bits of information and then synthesize that data into cohesive and impactful concepts. I wish there were more students like him that had such a desire to learn new information, and then be able to discuss that information in an intelligent and meaningful way." Other professors have said the same exact things.

JaQue also works 25 - 40 hours a week to put himself through school, which doesn't allow much time for extra-curricular activities. JaQue has faced many obstacles in pursuit of his degree, becoming discouraged at times but always driven towards getting an education that will allow him to have a positive impact on the world around him. He plans to work in the emergency management career field after graduation, hopefully helping vulnerable populations get through disasters. 

Maya is a first-year student in the Master of Health Administration program. She was elected by her peers to serve as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director for her cohort. Maya obtained her B.S. from Hampton University, where she majored in Health Sciences Policy & Administration. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and is committed to breaking health disparities within our community and across the nation. Maya has shown true leadership in a very short time in the program and was awarded the winner of the “We Believe in You Award” from the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE). The award is given to an exceptional graduate student striving to become a future leader in health care management and NAHSE. She has a strength of character that both the faculty and her fellow students admire. Dr. M. Paige Powell stated, “I believe that Maya will be a change-maker in health care in the future and truly deserves the award for Black History in the Making.”

Chelsea was highlighted and nominated by the Department of Chemistry as an exemplary student. It was also shared that Chelsea is a transfer student who has maintained a 4.0 GPA as a Chemistry Major with a concentration in Biochemistry. She continues to excel academically while also gaining more experience within the research field. She is an excellent student and represents everything great about VCU.

Raven Porter is from Hampton, Virginia. She is currently a senior studying mass communications with a concentration in public relations. She belongs to multiple organizations including minorities in law and the African American alumni association. She also has an internship with the Virginia house of delegates. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in a the legal such as a lawyer. 

Raven is a dedicated worker and puts her mind to anything she wants to! She often spearheads events or other initiatives tirelessly and not always thanked or noticed. She dedicated herself to the Golden Rams, helping practices of the Miss Black and Old Gold pageant after she won Miss Congeniality the previous year! 

A fun fact about Raven: Her favorite color is blue.

Faith Redd is a second semester senior majoring in Mass Communications with a focus in journalism and two minors in Political Science and English. She has completed two internships and freelanced at a publication. After she graduates in May 2023, she hopes to continue her journalism career and continue her Black excellence legacy. 

Her accomplishments include serving as a Communications Officer for the VCU chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, being a member of the VCU chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, serving as a contributing photographer for the Commonwealth Times, working as a social media intern for the Virginia Sports Network, and working as a reporter for Reporter for Capital News Service (where she wrote an article that was picked up by the Associated Press) and for Boone Newspaper Inc. in Farmville and Suffolk.

Christine Singleton’s path to study at VCU has been circuitous but incredibly rewarding.She began her collegiate studies as a proud Spelmanite in 2014, delighting in the opportunity to learn in a community so rich with history. However, the tragic passing of her father in 2018 forced this native Richmonder to return home. She resumed her college career at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in 2020 before transferring to VCU in 2021. As a declared English major at VCU, Christine rediscovered her passion and purpose as she voraciously read, discussed, and wrote wonderfully nuanced essays about a wide range of literatures but mostly notably the works of Black women writers. Her brilliance, resilience, and self-confidence are remarkable. She is a recipient of numerous scholarships and distinctions including Philip B. Meggs Memorial Scholarship and the Jean Roy Riely Fund Scholarship. She is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society and Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society. Christine is currently completing a thesis exploring rage, rejection and reckoning in the fiction of African American women writers as a part of the Distinguished English Majors Program. Inspired by the works of Alice Walker, Zora Neale Hurston, and Jesmyn Ward, this aspiring fiction writer promises to be a bold and provocative new voice of the South. 

Chastyn Smith is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Integrative Life Sciences Ph.D. program where she works in the Dawson Green forensic molecular biology lab where she is advised by Dr. Tracey Dawson Green. A Richmond, VA native, she obtained her B.S. from the University of Richmond, where she majored in Biology and minored in Anthropology. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a fighter for all things just, and a scientist for the people. She is passionate about social justice and bridging the gap between science and the community (hence "scientist for the people").

She manages the Dawson Green Forensic Molecular Biology research lab and is responsible for upkeep of the laboratory’s quality assurance and training program, which benefits numerous students and faculty across the entire department. Chastyn won a highly competitive Department of Defense SMART Fellowship award that includes full funding and career placement into a federal laboratory upon graduation. In addition, she placed 2nd in the 2021 Three Minute Thesis (TMT) competition at VCU. Beyond academics, Chastyn is involved in community engagement activities bringing her passion for forensic science to middle and high school students in the Richmond area and beyond.

Brandon is a superb anthropology student. His professors in the program all celebrate his intelligence, work ethic, collaborative spirit, and creativity within the classroom. But what sets Brandon apart, and what led to his selection for this award, is his humble selflessness and social engagement. Brandon would learn the material but also, more than almost any student from recent years, raise the question of what you could do with that material to help disadvantaged communities. His tendency is to share credit; when I got in touch with him about his selection to see if he had anything to share for the bio, he wanted to “highlight how much this award belongs just as much to my community and those who’ve gotten me to this point.” And he intends to give back to that community, he plans to pursue a Master’s Degree in Public Health focused on health equity, applying knowledge and providing resources to underserved communities. The Anthropology faculty looks forward to following his successes as he makes Black History.

Te’ah Washington is earning a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and is set to graduate Summa Cum Laude in December 2023. She is in the Honors College at VCU in addition to participating in and working as the travel coordinator for Mock Trial. Te’ah is also a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, the Honors Student Executive Board, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Outside of VCU, Te’ah is a senate intern in the Virginia General Assembly for the office of Senator John Bell, and she has played the violin for over a decade at Langley Baptist Church. Following graduation, Te’ah hopes to continue working as an intern for the Virginia General Assembly and intends to attend law school with the end goal of both practicing law and teaching as a law school professor.

Candace is a central administrator in Henrico schools who works with 15 different elementary principals in the division. She has served as a principal herself, so her role as a coach to other principals has a tremendous impact on those leaders and the schools they serve. Her commitment to asset-oriented development of leaders shines through in her Ed.D. class discussions and work. She is truly a student leader.