Phylicia Dove
The formal Black Excellence Gala gathered the Daemen community last Friday – serving as a celebration and acknowledgement of the culmination of Black History Month at the college.
“The event’s purpose was to honor the past, present and future of our students of color, particularly Black students, as well as their accomplishments and contributions,” said Tiffany Hamilton, chief diversity officer at Daemen, Title IX coordinator, and director of the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP).
“It is necessary to celebrate that identity at Daemen and what it means to be a student of color on campus,” she added.
Daemen Leadership and Innovation alum Phylicia Dove spoke at the event. She is the owner of Black Monarchy fashion boutique in Buffalo.
Student Jameekia Blount, a member of the campus activities team, served as team leader in organizing the event that was staged with help from several campus groups, including the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Campus Activities, Black Student Union, the Student Government Association and others.
“Phylicia shared encouragement and inspiring words, as well as her story as a young Black student and how important events like the Black Excellence Gala are for encouraging students to persist and work together to make sure that spaces on campus are open and accessible,” said Hamilton.
Proceeds from the event went to Buffalo’s Project Mona’s House, a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to helping those who are homeless, orphaned, or victims of human trafficking.