Alumni Matters

Africana Studies Alumni Recognition 

 

Freeman Receives the 2024 
College of Humanities & Social Sciences Honored Alumni Award

 

Sierra Freeman, a proud alumna of Valdosta State University. She graduated in 2013, earning a BA in Criminal Justice with a minor in African American Studies. Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to higher education and professional growth, she continued her academic journey, earning a Master of Public Administration degree in 2018. Building on her academic accomplishments, Sierra joined VSU as a full-time employee in the Office of Financial Aid in 2019. Her dedication to supporting students and her passion for education and leadership propelled her to pursue an M. Ed in Higher Education Leadership, which she achieved in 2022. In the fall of 2023, Sierra advanced her career by enrolling in VSU’s Leadership Doctoral program. Concurrently, she transitioned into a vital role as a Graduate Advisor and Instructor for the Office of Professional Education Services within the College of Education and Human Services. In this capacity, Sierra plays a crucial role in guiding and mentoring graduate students, helping shape the next generation of education professionals. Beyond her professional achievements, Sierra is deeply committed to her community, consistently volunteering her time in various capacities. Her ongoing dedication to service underlines her holistic approach to leadership and education. Sierra's impressive career journey is complemented by her fulfilling family life. She is married to Brandon Freeman, and they are the proud parents of two sons, Brayden and Bryson. Sierra's ability to balance her professional aspirations with her family responsibilities is a testament to her dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in higher education and beyond.

 

Robinson Receives the 2023 
College of Humanities & Social Sciences Honored Alumni Award

 

Kennedy Robinson is the Director of Multicultural Student Affairs at the University of Miami where she is responsible for coordinating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and services for the University of Miami and the broader South Florida community. She has specific oversight of initiatives that support BIPOC students at the University of Miami. Kennedy has to expand Multicultural Student Affairs' reach and advocacy work by improving many of the initiatives including organizing pre-orientation events, managing weekly and monthly cultural celebrations, and facilitating workshops that enhance the leadership development of students, faculty, and staff. Kennedy has demonstrated her passion for supporting and empowering others through the creation of programs like ENOUGH, a safe space aimed to increase our student’s emotional intelligence, self-confidence, and overall sense of belonging. The initiative has been shown to help the multicultural women it serves with overcoming financial, personal, and interpersonal challenges they must confront on college campuses. Kennedy centered ENOUGH to take a village-based approach to mentorship; one that empowers, elevates, and evolves multicultural women on campus and has served more than 150 women (undergraduate, graduate, and professional staff members). Through her investment in various identity-based programs, she has been nationally recognized by organizations like the MDRC (Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation) and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators’ best practices. Within the broader South Florida community, Kennedy has found creative ways to bridge the gap between the campus community and the larger South Florida community by leading students in local food insecurity events that provided meal packages for over 100 residents of Overtown. Additionally, Kennedy has coordinated several service activities with the Lotus House Women’s Shelter that resulted in providing clean hygiene products and cleaning areas within the organization. Finally, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kennedy led students in creating 100 care packages for local healthcare workers across South Florida for their ongoing service to the community. In her time at the University of Miami, Ms. Robinson has been named Outstanding New Staff Member of the Year during her first year at the university, 2023 Advisor of the Year, the 2023 NAACP Chairman of the Year Award, the 2023 Student Affairs Exceptional Work with Students Award, and was recently recognized by the Legacy Magazine South Florida Black Leaders of Today and Tomorrow 40 Under 40 Award. From the start of her time in higher education, Ms. Robinson has created countless training programs, strategies for inclusive communities, and intentional programmatic tactics that increased the support and development of multicultural and diverse populations. Her passion for social justice extends far beyond higher education in that she plays an active role in supporting young women of color through several community organizations. She is also the founder of Breaking Ground Consulting, Ms. Robinson has been able to train community organizations, school systems, small businesses and more! She has also been a strategic partner on several grants, on interfaith, racial justice, and vaccine education for underrepresented communities. Having a passion for developing the next generation, Ms. Robinson also has conducted various leadership workshops, college prep programs, and frequently speaks at conferences for young leaders. 

 

Gladney Receives the 2022 
College of Humanities & Social Sciences Honored Alumni Award

 

Brooke L. Gladney is the Texas Legends Director of Community Impact and Operations. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, residing in College Park. I was raised in a single-parent household, as the only girl of four childen. I raised throughout the Metro-Atlanta area. I moved to South Georgia to attend Valdosta State University. As a proud Alumni, I possess a B.B.A in Marketing and a B.B.A. in Business Management, in addition to a minor in African American studies. Returning to Atlanta, to attend Georgia State University (GSU), I obtained a M.S. in Sport Administration. My experience includes working with the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream and the Atlanta Hawks. I have also served in AmeriCorps as the first sports member for Notre Dame Mission, where I served in the Southwest Atlanta at the Andrew and Walter Young YMCA and the Arthur M. Blank YMCA, also known as the Y City League. I transitioned into the Sports Coordinator role for the Y City League, after my service year. Each role has allowed me to actively engage in all of my passions; sports, community, youth and business. Currently, I serve as the Director of Community Impact and Operations for Texas Legends, the G League Affiliates of the Dallas Mavericks. My role is to oversee game day operations, youth programs and community events, including maintaining relationships with local partnering schools. This new journey is exciting, as I develop personally, away from familiaralities. I read, cook, and exercise more often, in addition to researching subjects that are relevant to my life’s plan. The goal is for all of the pieces to make it to the other side of the board, because that is where transformations are made.

 

Love Receives the 2021 
College of Humanities & Social Sciences Distinguished Alumnus Award

 

Jacobe D. Love is the experienced photographer, videographer, writer and video editor cultivated his skills at The Valdosta State University (Valdosta Ga.). Jacobe has amassed an impressive career spanning a 10-year period with television, film and poetry.  He has worked as a production assistant for Pierce Studio Portrait Photography and a field photographer for WLTZ NBC38. Love has experience working with the Springer Film Institute (Columbus Ga.) and has won awards for multiple short films. His passion for storytelling is what gave life to the creation of JLove Media Productions. A native of Columbus, Georgia and a graduate of William Henry Shaw High School's Broadcast and Video Program, Love wants to also afford others the opportunity in this industry. As J Love Media Productions expands he hopes this will be a place of creative expression and artistic work for others to thrive. Coming off the success of the documentary, A Dangerous Silence, Love is now working on his second feature film. This Untitled Drama follows a young successful chef who battles addiction, while wrestling with ghosts of a man he never knew... his own father. He also is a High school teacher at Shaw where he teaches Audio Video Technology and film. 

 

New Deputy Director for the Superior Courts of Washington D.C.

 

Copeland Receives the 2018
Arts & Sciences Distinguished Alumnus Award

 

Kameron J. Copeland graduated Magna Cum Laude from VSU with his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in Mass Media and a Minor in African American Studies in 2013. He was also recognized as the top student for the African American Studies Program that year as well. Since that time, Kameron has earned two masters degrees, one in Film and Television from Savannah College of Art and Design, and the other in Communications Arts from VSU, AND a bachelor’s degree in biology from Savannah State University this past summer. Mr. Copeland has published articles in the Journal of Medical Humanities, the Journal of Black Sexuality and Relationships, and the Journal of Men’s Studies. He is current an Annenberg Fellow and doctoral student in the Division of Cinema and Media Studies at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. His research focus includes Black Studies, African American Cinema, Black Men and Masculinities, Medical Humanities, New Black Realism, and African American Muslims in Film and Media, just to name a few.

 

Goodwin Receives the 2014
Arts & Sciences Distinguished Alumnus Award

 

“Building a Reputation, Perfecting a Craft”

GALA PATRICE GOODWIN is a proud alumnus of Valdosta State University, where, in 2005, she graduated Magna Cum Laude and received a B.F.A. in Mass Media with an emphasis in production and a minor in African American Studies. Inspired by her experiences at Valdosta State, Gala went on to pursue her Master’s Degree in African American Studies from Temple University. Gala has amassed a broad scope of experiences, from producing award-winning films to gracing the sets of theatrical and television hits such as Stomp the Yard, Let’s Make a Deal, Tyler Perry’s Meet the Brown, Robert Townsend’s Partner in Crime: The Next Generation and several others. As a result of her contribution to the film industry, the documentary project, African Independence, received research and development funding from the Diversity and Innovation Grant offered by the CPB -- Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the parent company of PBS. The film recently premiered at the San Diego Black Film Festival, winning the award for best documentary. 

 

Bell Receives the 2013
Arts & Sciences Distinguished Alumnus Award

 

Attorney Ashley D. Bell, a Hall County native, was elected in 2008 at age 27 to become Hall County's youngest ever Commissioner and one of the youngest in the State of Georgia. A 2001 graduate of Valdosta State University, Bell earned a B.A. degree in political science and the minor certification in African American Studies. Serving two terms as the VSU SGA president, he is also one of the charter members of the VSU Chapter of Iota Phi Theta, Fraternity, Inc. Upon graduation, Bell attended law school at the University of Georgia and Louisiana State University. He is also honored to be a 21st Century Leadership Fellow at the Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government. Commissioner Bell is a partner at Bell & Washington, LLP, practicing law throughout the State of Georgia and Alabama. Having been involved in politics his entire adult life, Bell’s political career has been chronicled in the Wall Street Journal, L.A. Times, NY Times, USA Today, The New Yorker, AJC, and many other news sources. 

Wright Receives the 2012
Arts & Sciences Distinguished Alumnus Award

 

Tim Lee Wright graduated from VSU in 1999 with a “well-designed” Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.  Using his rigorous preparation in three academic disciplines (AFAM Studies, History and Philosophy), Tim Lee has taken the opportunity to pursue his passion as a playwright that began at VSU. Since his graduation, he has continued to develop his craft, teaching drama at a local high school in Brunswick, GA and writing over 30 plays with historical, social, and political themes that often transcend race. Lee's goal is "to bring everyone to the theatre to experience the human condition expressed through meaningful words coming to life on stage from a perspective that does not isolate any one group, but opens the beauty of theatre to everyone."   Tim Lee is the proprietor and founder of Real Drama Theater in Macon, GA

 

Carter Receives the 2011
Arts & Sciences Distinguished Alumnus Award

 

Charleston L. Carter, a native of Adel, Georgia, graduated from Valdosta State, earning a B.A. and an M.S. Degree in Criminal Justice.  He was also one of the first to complete the minor certification in AFAM Studies. He has served as the Tifton Judicial Circuit Court Administrator (Tifton); Court Administrator for Athens-Clarke County (Athens); and currently serves as the Superior Court Program Administrator/Director of Case Management for Fulton County (Atlanta). A few of his notable achievements include budgeting and helping to manage a $26M budget for a state health organization, saving the Circuit Court $500,000 by negotiating an online services contract, as well as saving the court $150,000 in court reporter fees by making exceptional recommendations.  Carter also received an award for designing the State Seal for the Georgia Council of Court Administrators in 2008 and was one of the first four students from Georgia to graduate from the Michigan State University’s Judicial Administration Program in May 2011. Carter is a member of 16 professional organizations, including the National Association of Court Management (NACM) and serves as an adjunct professor at Valdosta State.