The Joyce Russell Kente Awards
![2024 Kente Awards Logo](/application/files/9417/3687/3670/Kente25_EmailHeader.jpg)
Tickets on sale now!
The Joyce Russell Kente Awards & Scholarship Ceremony celebrates the academic excellence and achievements of USF students and Tampa Bay community leaders.
Tuesday, April 8
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
USF Marshall Student Center - Ballroom
4103 USF Cedar Circle
Tampa, FL 33620
2025 Kente Award recipients and keynote to be announced soon!
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.
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.
Past Joyce Russell Kente Award Recipients
2024
Thaddeus "Titus O'Neil" Bullard
Inez Long ’79
2023
Lisa Anne Miflin
State Rep. Dianne Hart
2022
Dr. Julius Wayne Dudley
Dr. Kevin Sneed
Dr. Adrianne Wilson
2021
Justice Peggy Quince
Vincent Jackson ’16
2019
Dr. Ernest Boger ’65
Robert P. Blount III
2018
Anddrikk Frazier
William Packer Sr. ’70
2017
Delano Stewart
Institute on Black Life
2016
Bernard Batson
Senator Arthenia Joyner
2015
Honorable Edwin “Ed” Narain
Chloe Coney
2014
Clinton Paris
John Scrivens
2013
Dexter Frederick
Honorable Lesley Miller Jr.
2012
Dr. Samuel Wright
2011
Dr. Thelma Benton
2010
James McDaniel
Felecia Wintons-Taylor
2009
Paulette Walker
Carolyn House Stewart ’74
2005
Neil Armstrong
Trent Green
Ruth Hall
Brian Lamb ’98
O. Geofreey Okogbaa
2004
Robert “Bob” Davis ’82
Sonja Garcia
Oscar Horton
Wali Shabazz
Dr. Brenda Townsend
2002
Gloria Anthony ’73
Dr. Richard Briscoe
Dr. Glenn Cherry
Joyce E. Latson
Dr. Cheryl Rodriguez ’93
Dr. Aaron Smith
Partner With Us
Would you like your scholarship presented at the Kente Awards? Click here to access the Kente Awards Partnership Application.
![Rhea F. Law, USF President Rhea F. Law, USF President](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-BnLqjSH/0/b701d315/O/i-BnLqjSH.jpg)
Rhea F. Law, USF President
The growth and success of Tampa Bay is intrinsically linked with the growth and success of USF. There is so much potential, and the future is very bright.
Your Impact
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USF leads the nation as the top producer of faculty Fulbright Scholars! Way to go Bulls!
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USF is home to approximately 50,000 students from 146 countries!
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25% of USF students are first generation. Your support enables them to create a new cycle of education within their families.
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USF is a member of the Association of American Universities, the most prestigious association in higher education.
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U.S. News and World Report ranked USF Tampa as a Best College for Veterans (2023)
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U.S. News & World Report ranks USF #45 among public universities (2024).
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USF professors and students were awarded 314 patents over three years.
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U.S. News & World Report ranks USF as the “best value” among all public universities in Florida (2023).
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You can find approximately 400,000 USF graduates worldwide.
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USF leads the nation as the top producer of faculty Fulbright Scholars! Way to go Bulls!
![USF: Global Reach](https://photos.smugmug.com/Giving/Carousel/Home-Page/i-sZb9Ssj/0/9f477bab/O/Carousel%20Flag.jpg)
USF is home to approximately 50,000 students from 146 countries!