Black History Month: Cross Cultural Center Highlights Great Contributions
02/19/2021
February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate and recognize the history, achievements and excellence of Black People around the globe. Each week, the Cross Cultural Center will highlight those who have made great contributions to the prospering of Black community and culture throughout history and in modern times, including those within the SLU community.
Historical Figure Spotlight
Gladys West
Gladys West is an American mathematician known for her contributions to the mathematical modeling of the shape of the Earth, and her work on the development of the satellite geodesy models that were eventually incorporated into the Global Positioning System (GPS).
West's vital contributions to GPS technology were rediscovered when a member of West's sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha read a short biography West had submitted for an alumni function. West was inducted into the United States Air Force Hall of Fame in 2018, one of the highest honors bestowed by Air Force Space Command (AFSPC)
Faculty Spotlight
Travis Threats, Ph.D.
Travis Threats, Ph.D., is a professor of speech pathology and the department chair for Communication Sciences and Disorders. He received the Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Achievement in International Achievement from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association. It is only the second award of this type the organization has ever given and the first given to an African-American speech pathologist.
Threats is chairman of the department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Saint Louis University. He always dedicates his awards to his brother Kenny, who has autism.
Staff Spotlight
Nicci Roach
Nicole 'Nicci' Roach is special assistant to SLU President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D.
She has experience diversifying rooms with equipped leaders through interactive lectures, consulting and as a producer/on-air radio host on KSTL Jubilee 690 AM. Roach possesses more than 15 years in higher education leadership. She is an award-winning global learning and leadership development professional. A catalyst for leadership capacity and advocate for the advancement and equality of women.
Her previous role was as Webster University’s inaugural associate vice president for diversity and inclusion and senior director for community engagement. Roach led efforts to conceptualize, assess, and cultivate sustainable efforts of equity and community (domestic and international). As an adjunct faculty of Management and Organizational Development, Roach is credited with developing sophisticated curriculum and student engagement strategies.
Student Spotlight
Jori Brewer
Jori T. Brewer, President, Black Student Association, is a graduating senior completing SLU's master's of occupational therapy program. She is also a resident advisor for the Health Sciences Learning Community located in Reinert Hall. Her student involvement has afforded her the opportunity to learn from and mentor many students throughout her college career.
Brewer looks up to the late Cicely Tyson. Not only was Tyson a brilliant actress and writer, but a mother figure for most Black women. She graced the stage with beauty and made Brewer feel warm whenever she heard her voice on television.
Brewer was selected as the only SLU student on SLU’s new committee for Diversity Equity and Inclusion. This committee will be charged with: Reviewing and assessing our progress towards implementing the Clock Tower Accords. Developing recommendations to supplement and enhance Accords goals. Developing recommendations to address the concerns brought to us by Black students, staff, faculty and alumni. And lastly, developing a structure to discern our future goals, paths, and timelines to completion.
Community Stakeholders
Youth Development & Workforce Foundation
Founded by Washington University School of Social Work alumnus Chauncey Nelson, The Youth Development & Workforce Foundation is an established 501(c)3 in the state of Missouri geared to preparing youth and young adults for environmental stressors and existential factors by assisting them with building positive coping strategies, stress management tools, personal and professional development through evidence-based practices and interventions.
The foundation works to equip young people with the capacity to cope with internal and external stressors for the purpose of strengthening their sense of worth and self-efficacy needed to achieve career and interpersonal success. Research indicates that more than half of adolescents living in the United States have had at least one adverse childhood experience. Additionally, youth living in low-income communities are represented at a disproportionate rate. This can greatly impact the health and educational outcomes as they reach adulthood, potentially lead to a lower quality of life and perpetuate economic, educational and health disparities.
Submitted by Charles H. Martin III, M.S.Ed., assistant director for community engagement, Saint Louis University Cross Cultural Center.