Giving to USF: Kente Awards

The Joyce Russell Kente Awards

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The Joyce Russell Kente Awards & Scholarship Ceremony celebrates the academic excellence and achievements of USF students and Tampa Bay community leaders.

Event Details
Check back in the fall for details on our next event.

The 2024 Kente Award Recipients

Thaddeus "Titus O'Neil" Bullard
2024 USF Kente Community Award

Thaddeus M. Bullard is an accomplished athlete, philanthropist and entertainer as WWE Superstar “Titus O'Neil” who has a heart for youth and the community. Bullard went from being a resident of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches as a troubled, underperforming young man to being a mentor, role model and honorary Deputy for the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office. Bullard's passion and commitment to not only succeed personally but also to help others succeed is derived from an early seed planted at the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, where many invested in him when, in his words, “they had nothing to gain in return."

Bullard has meaningfully supported various organizations, locally and globally, by giving his time, talent and treasure. Although Bullard lacked a strong male role model in the home, his commitment to family, most notably his two sons, TJ (17) and Titus (15), are nothing short of remarkable. Bullard's first priority is being a father and role model to his children. For the past 10+ years, his "Joy of Giving” holiday event has given more than 15,000 gifts annually to underprivileged children and families in need throughout the Greater Tampa Bay area. Bullard is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity inc., the president of the Bullard Family Foundation (an organization that provides programs and resources to help build character and improve outcomes in the community) and a member of Revealing Truth Ministries in Tampa, where he resides.

Inez Long '79
2024 USF Kente Alumni Award

Inez Long, (MBA, University of Central Florida, BA Accounting, University of South Florida), is President/CEO of Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF). BBIF is a mission driven not-for-profit loan fund, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that focuses on providing capital to Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) and underserved small businesses. BBIF’s mission is to develop and promote Black business enterprises though education, training, loans, and advocacy.

BBIF Florida has provided over $87 million in loans to over 1,081 Black and minority businesses, created and sustained over 13,884 jobs all while maintaining a historical loan loss rate of 3.5%; invested in and leveraged over $475 million in community economic development projects. During COVID-19, BBIF processed over 900 applications and provided $17.3 million in SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to 450 minority businesses preserving 2,333 jobs and worked with two local governments in Orlando and Miami to process over $4 million in CARES grants and loans to hundreds of small businesses.

Mrs. Long has 35 years of combined experience in the financial services industry. She began her professional career in commercial banking in Credit Management and Commercial Lending with Florida National Bank, First Union and SunTrust banks in Orlando, Florida. She currently serves on the national boards of Expanding Black Business Credit (EBBC), Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs, which she co-founded, and numerous NMTC Advisory boards; and locally on the boards of Guardian Care Nursing & Rehabilitation and Expanding Black Orlando.

Mrs. Long has previously served on the national and local boards of the following organizations: the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), Community Advisory Committee for TD Bank, the National Community Advisory Board for Fifth Third Bank, Wayne Densch YMCA (Pine Hills), WMFE Public Broadcasting Company, the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, and the Central Florida Expressway Authority, previously the Orlando Orange County Expressway Authority (a gubernatorial appointment). Other professional involvement includes Inez is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Mrs. Long is married to Fitzhugh Long and they have three adult children. Her hobbies are yoga, baking, gardening, golf, and bike riding.

Keynote Speaker:

Marquez Valdes-Scantling '17

IMG_8707 copy-min.jpg — Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Marquez Valdes-Scantling (MVS) is a dynamic entrepreneur with a passion for innovation. As one of the three founding members of the urban specialty clothing line, SIK Selection, LLC, he has helped shape the brand into a symbol of style and individuality. Additionally, Marquez serves as the CEO of Craft-Tee LLC, a clothing printing company located in St. Petersburg, FL.

Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, Marquez holds ownership in various ventures, several real estate properties and has some ownership in a thriving gaming company that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

Notably, Marquez is a professional football player for the Kansas City Chiefs, having played a pivotal role in their triumphant journey to become the back-to-back Super Bowl Champions (2023 and 2024). Prior to this, he spent three years showcasing his exceptional skills as a member of the Green Bay Packers.

During his off-seasons, Marquez finds solace in the company of his beloved canine companions. Ace, a Pomsky, and Spade, a husky, bring joy and companionship to his life.

Marquez's academic achievements are equally impressive, having earned a Bachelor's degree in Communication from the University of South Florida.

Master of Ceremony:

Joneé Lewis

Joneé Lewis is an Emmy-Award Winning Journalist now serving as the Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Tampa Police Department. Joneé is a Lakeland native, with 13 years of experience in the media industry, having previously served as a reporter for Fox 13 in Tampa and television news stations in Memphis, Winston-Salem, Myrtle Beach, Gainesville, and Tallahassee.

She holds a Master of Arts in Mass Communication from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Science in Mass Media Studies from Florida State University.

She is thrilled to serve her community in this new capacity and promote positive relationships between law enforcement and those who live, work, and visit the City of Tampa.

BECOME A SPONSOR

All proceeds from the event benefit students on all USF campuses through the Dr. Israel "Ike" Tribble Jr. Endowed Scholarship, Black Faculty Association Endowed Scholarship, Institute on Black Life Study Abroad Scholarship and the Ruth and Jerry Bell Endowed Scholarship.

Thank You to Our Corporate Sponsors

History of the Joyce Russell Kente Awards

The Kente Award was created in 2000 by the USF African American Advisory Committee to strengthen the relationship between the university and the African-American community. The award recognizes USF faculty, employees, alumni and African-American community members whose contributions have had a positive impact in the African-American community.

Joyce Russell worked as Hillsborough County's African-American Liaison and joined the African American Advisory Committee in 2000. She was elected president of the committee in 2004 and served three terms as its president before retiring in 2011. Under her leadership, the Kente Award grew in stature and the Dr. Israel "Ike" Tribble Jr. Scholarship was endowed. In 2012, former USF president Judy Genshaft presented Joyce Russell with the Kente Award, along with the honor of naming the award the Joyce Russell Kente Award.