2024 Honorees

Dr. Karen Bankston

Lifetime Achievement in STEM

This year’s honoree for the Lifetime Achievement in STEM Award in Karen Bankston, Ph.D. Dr. Bankston is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, a Professor Emerita, leadership consultant, retired hospital executive and former Associate Dean in the College of Nursing at the University of Cincinnati.

Brianna Hargett

Applied Scientist of the Year

This year’s Applied Scientist of the Year is Brianna Hargett. Brianna is an Analytical and Stability leader, who is responsible for establishing shelf life, and determining photostability for oral care and personal healthcare products. She supports youth in STEM by volunteering throughout the region.

Germaine Hunter

Community Advocate of the Year

This year’s Community Advocate of the Year is Germaine Hunter. Germaine Hunter is the Chief Diversity Officer for GE Aerospace. He is responsible for establishing and leading the global enterprise-wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, strategy, and vision

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medicall Center

Community Organization of the Year

This year’s Community Organization of the Year if Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Center.

Jostin Construction

Corporation of the Year

This year’s Corporation of the Year is Jostin Construction.

Keonte Alexander

Educator of the Year (K-6)

This year’s Educator of the Year (grades K-6) is Keonte Alexander. Keonte is a Cincinnati Public School educator who currently teaches at William H. Taft STEM Elementary. He is a proud CPS alum and made a switch from Sports Management to Educator to support students in his hometown of Cincinnati.

Shanah Legree

Educator of the Year (7-12)

This year’s Educator of the Year for grades 7-12 is Shanah Legree. Mrs. Legree is an experienced Computer Science educator Robert Taft Information Technology High School. Shanah is also a children’s book author who loves sports, exercising, and constantly learning new things

Sylvester Dupree

Engineer of the Year

This year’s Engineer of the Year is Sylvester Dupree. For over 20 years, Sylvester has been solving complex organizational problems. He currently leads the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center’s Supply Chain Management Organization as the Assistant Vice President.

LaTosha Ward

Entrepreneur of the Year

This year’s Entrepreneur of the Year is Mrs. LaTosha Ward. She is a distinguished strategist and a highly sought-after speaker, renowned for her expertise in AI, Machine Learning, innovation, Agility, and Leadership Development. She is the Chief Strategy Officer of BID - Business & Individual Development,

Dr. LaShan Hendrix

Faculty Member of the Year

This year’s Faculty Member of the Year is Dr. C. LaShan Hendrix. Dr. Hendrix is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati. Before joining the faculty at University of Cincinnati in 2024, she was an Associate Professor at Mississippi State University (2013 – 2023).

Abigail Dogbe

Graduate Student of the Year

This year’s Graduate Student of the Year is Abigail Dogbe. Abigail is an Open Source Community Builder, Programs Manager, and STEM Education advocate who is dedicated to raising awareness about the transformative power of technology through community building, advocacy, and research.

Dr. Angelique Gloster Waller

Healthcare Professional of the Year

This year’s Healthcare Professional of the Year is Dr. Angelique Gloster Waller. Dr. Gloster Waller currently practices general pediatric care at Cincinnati Children’s Primary Care facilities. She was raised in Chicago, Illinois by a young single Mother who, despite her age, was a strong advocate for education.

Taylor Scott

Rising Star of the Year

This year’s Rising Star of the Year is Taylor Scott. She is the current National Chairperson of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and is a a research and development process engineer for Procter and Gamble. Taylor is also pursuing her Master’s degree in Cosmetic Science.

Damon Frost

Technologist of the Year

This year’s Technologist of the Year is Mr. Damon Frost. Damon is the CEO of Walker and Company Brands, the makers of Bevel and the CIO of Procter & Gamble’s Global Beauty business, Damon Frost leads the IT and Digital capabilities for a portfolio of brands including Head & Shoulders and Old Spice.

Aamir Brooks

Wesleigh White Memorial Scholar

Aamir Brooks is a Senior at Robert A. Taft Information Technology High School. She is planning to become a Locomotive Engineer upon completing her educational journey.

2023 Honorees

LifeTime Achievement in STEM - Dr. Janet Reid

Applied Scientist of the Year - Dr. Rukeyser Thompson

Community Advocate of the Year - Mrs. Candice Matthews-Brackeen

Community Organization of the Year - Learning through Art!

Corporation of the Year - Jacobs

Educator of the Year (K-6) - Mrs. Lacy Vasser

Educator of the Year (7-12) - Ms. Rebecca Dobbs

Engineer of the Year - Mr. Abbiw Jackson

Entrepreneur of the Year - Mrs. Chelsea CLark

Faculty Member of the Year - Dr. Norman Loney

Graduate Student of the Year - Ms. Lily Botsyoe

Healthcare Professional of the Year - Dr. Michael Thomas

Rising Star of the Year - Mrs. Ashley Taylor

Technologist of the Year - Ms. Jocelyn Whitfield

Wesleigh White Memorial Scholar - Miss K’Meria Wallace

2022 Honorees

LifeTime Achievement in STEM - Dr. C. Keith Melvin

Applied Scientist of the Year - Dr. Judson Haynes, III

Community Advocate of the Year - Mrs. Patricia Stewart-Adams

Community Organization of the Year - The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio

Corporation of the Year - Turner

Educator of the Year (K-6) - Mrs. Deidre Simpson

Educator of the Year (7-12) - Dr. Jeffrey Johnson

Engineer of the Year -Mr. Pamela Williams-Dyle

Entrepreneur of the Year - Dr. Melvin Gravely

Faculty Member of the Year - Dr. Cedrick Kwuimy

Graduate Student of the Year - Mr. Evan Brooks

Healthcare Professional of the Year - Dr. Kent Robinson

Rising Star of the Year - Mrs. Danielle Williams

Technologist of the Year - Mr. Eku Williams

Wesleigh White Memorial Scholar - Miss Anya Brown

2021 Honorees

LifeTime Achievement in STEM - Dr. Cheryll Dunn

Applied Scientist of the Year - Mrs. Cathy Bailey

Community Advocate of the Year - Mrs. Deboah Allsop

Community Organization of the Year - NAACP-ACTSO

Corporation of the Year - GE

Educator of the Year (K-6) - Mrs. Carmen DeLoach

Educator of the Year (7-12) - Mr. Erick Allen

Engineer of the Year -Mr. Howard Elliott

Entrepreneur of the Year - Mr. Robert Richardson, Jr.

Faculty Member of the Year - Dr. James Mack

Graduate Student of the Year - Dr. Corinne Foley

Healthcare Professional of the Year - Dr. O’dell Owens

Rising Star of the Year - Mrs. Racquel Redwood

Technologist of the Year - Mrs. Josette Riep

Wesleigh White Memorial Scholar - Miss Kaylaa Betts

2020 Honorees

LifeTime Achievement in STEM - Dr. Alvin Crawford

Applied Scientist of the Year - Mr. Jesse Hipps, Sr.

Community Advocate of the Year - Rev. Dr. Jonathan Brown

Community Organization of the Year - Cincinnati Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Incorporated

Corporation of the Year - Messer

Educator of the Year (K-6) - Mr. Gregory Cannon

Educator of the Year (7-12) - Mrs. Caroline Robb

Engineer of the Year - Lisa Rowell

Entrepreneur of the Year - John Moore

Faculty Member of the Year - Dr. Mary Stroud

Graduate Student of the Year - Dr. Camille Sullivan

Healthcare Professional of the Year - Mrs. Felicia Beckham

Rising Star of the Year - Mr. Jimmy Stringer

Technologist of the Year - Mr. Darold Fletcher

Wesleigh White Memorial Scholar - Miss Cari’a Thacker

2019 Honorees

LifeTime Achievement in STEM - Mr. J. Phillip Holloman

Applied Scientist of the Year - Dr. Rolanda Wilkerson

Community Advocate of the Year - Rev. Damon Lynch, III

Community Organization of the Year - Queen City (OH) Chapter of the Links, Inc.

Corporation of the Year - Procter and Gamble

Educator of the Year (K-6) - Ms. Morgan Chapman

Educator of the Year (7-12) - Dr. Lameesa Muhammad

Engineer of the Year - Gloria Samuel

Entrepreneur of the Year - Renee Seward

Faculty Member of the Year - Dr. LaSharon Mosley

Graduate Student of the Year - Melvin Ikwubuo

Healthcare Professional of the Year - Dr. Christopher Lewis

Rising Star of the Year - Dr. DeVonna Gatlin

Technologist of the Year - Karen Lipscomb

Wesleigh White Memorial Scholar - Nan Yebuah