Editor’s note: This story was updated to correct the last name of Kiria Braden.

The seventh annual Black Excellence Awards recognized exceptional WKU students and community members.

The WKU Black Student Alliance hosted the event Saturday night in the L.T. Smith Stadium Harbaugh Club. The awards included two special honors given by the BSA’s executive board and its faculty advisor.

At the end of the planned ceremony, BSA President Nicholas Crowell and Vice President Jarmiyah Carneal recognized criminology freshman Ahmad Payne-Jones with a “very special” President’s Award.

“This individual has shown strength in the face of challenges, remained dedicated to their goals, and continuously uplifts those around them,” Carneal said.

Payne-Jones, originally from Louisville, was featured by area station WDRB in February after he and his mother began a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for his tuition. In all, the campaign raised more than $4,000.

Intercultural Student Engagement Center Assistant Director LaMario Moore, who has advised the WKU BSA since 2019, said WKU alumna and former BSA president Kiria Braden started the awards ceremony during the first year in his role.

“I always tell the students, you don’t do it for recognition, but sometimes it feels good just to be noticed,” said Moore, who teaches university learning in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences.

Junior political science major and ISEC senator in the WKU Student Government Association Jaden Marshall, echoed that sentiment when he was honored with the Heart of the Community Humanitarian of the Year award.

“The work that you do without expectation of reward is the reward itself,” Marshall said. “It’s an honor to do the work that we do every single day in the community, on campus, and just leaving a lasting impact.”

Marshall also took the opportunity to turn his spotlight toward BSA member Tyler Cummins, who he asked to stand, and praised effusively for his presence, kindness and generosity.

“You talk about someone who is willing to serve…I think it’s important to recognize hard work and someone who genuinely cares,” Marshall said. “I know I speak for everyone in here. Thank you for everything that you have done for our organizations and ISEC as a whole.”

What Marshall didn’t know was that Moore had already made an inaugural Advisor’s Award to recognize Cummins.

“If there’s an event going on on campus, Ty’s there,” Moore said. “He’s there early, he stays late, he helps clean up. He supports people on social media. He’s everybody’s friend. I think sometimes we take that for granted, somebody always being there.”

Moore said Marshall had bothered him for days to plan some sort of recognition for Cummins. All the while, Moore already had the award printed.

“I didn’t really expect it, but I am proud of myself,” Cummins said. “I believe in myself. Sometimes people don’t take me seriously, but I never give up, because I have purpose in myself to achieve.”

Marshall was recognized for his commitment to community service, which includes multiple projects with his fraternity, Iota Phi Theta, one of which he started this year Warren County Day Treatment Center. He also volunteers as an assistant basketball coach for Bowling Green High and Junior High schools.

“I prioritize service,” Marshall said. “I prioritize leaving my community better than I found it.”

Marshall said he started a mentorship program at the WCDT, an alternative educational site for students with behavioral difficulties, court involvement or other complications, according to the Warren County Public Schools website.

“Those kids are our future,” Marshall said. “Without them, we have nothing. They’re the ones that are going to carry the torch… They’re the ones that are going to be walking up and down the Hill every single day.”

Marshall is the mentorship coordinator for students at WCDT, where he visits students every Tuesday, and where he will return next week to speak at graduation.

“It’s the culmination of an amazing year,” Marshall said.

The full list of the evening’s awards and recipients, in order of presentation is as follows:

• Staff/Faculty Award: Cres’Sena Thomas, Director
• Creative Genius Award: Dallas Lockhart
• Heart of the Community Humanitarian Award: Jaden Marshall
• ISEC Scholar of the Year: Camden Smith
• Event of the Year: The Black Experience, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
• Greek Organization of the year: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
• Organization of the Year: Black Women of Western
• Hustler of the Year: Donyea Welch
• Student Athlete of the Year: Jayden Freeman, WKU Track
• Reginald Glass Man of the Year: Jacob Brown
• Veronica Butler Woman of the Year: De’Anasia Johnson
• Prom Queen: Conyea Cherry
• Prom King: Dallas Lockhart
• BSA President’s Award: Ahmad Jones
• Advisor’s Award: Tyler Cummins