In a unique spin on the Academy Awards, the Student African American Brotherhood, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Diva Opals hosted the second African-American Image Awards last Thursday evening.  A mock red carpet was unfurled in front of the double-door entrance to the University Center Auditorium to give the nominees a star treatment.

Presenters accompanied the reading of the different nominations with small comedy sketches so familiar to the hired comedians that annually host the real Academy Awards.  There were several nominees for each category, but the final winners were said to exemplify everything that their title entailed.

The winners were:

1. Outstanding Female Resident Assistant: Starkicia Wilkerson
2. Outstanding Male Athlete: Anthony Parker
3. Outstanding Male Resident Assistant: Spencer Elosiebo
4. Outstanding Female Athlete: Shannon Bobbitt
5. Outstanding Male Leadership: Alfonzo Lyons
6. Best Cultural Program: Black Issue Conference 2007 ft Jeff Johnson
7. Outstanding Female Leadership Award: Brittany Johnson
8. African American Organization of the Year: Minority Achievement Program
9. Lifetime Achievement: Rita Geier
10. Outstanding Faculty and Staff Award: Dr. Jane Redmond and Jocelyn Milton
11. Collegiate Achievement: Brittany Lacy

The highest GPAs for freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors were also honored for their academic excellence. 

"We elected an academy that picks the people based on high GPA, their activeness in their position and a good-standing reputation with the students and faculty," Phoeran Cooper, Image Awards Committee and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc member, said.

The program included a harmonic song  by the Love United Gospel Choir, a short, inspiring film on the freeing of black individuals from racism created by Carl Hess II titled "Remove the Chains" and three original poetic works performed by Dominique Boyd, Milton Hill and Jessica Session. 

"I do feel like a star," said Geier about the awards ceremony as she received a lifetime achievement award.  A small presentation depicting her active role in the equality fight for Tennessee State University revealed Geier's dedication to diversification.  Redmond, who just recovered from the flu last week, in time to enjoy the evening with her sister and sister-in-law who she calls her "wind beneath my wings," was shocked to discover her nomination. 

"I'm often the one that works behind the scenes... trying to be a strong advocate of the needs of the students at an administration level as the director of the Black Cultural Center," Redmond said.  Redmond considers herself the founder of the BCC, having been at UT for almost thirty years and being instrumental in its creation. 

Brittany Johnson, winner of the Outstanding Female Leadership Award, shared words of wisdom as she accepted her trophy.  She encouraged everyone to become leaders in everyday life and the "beacon of lights on this campus."

The night was filled with inspiring words from faculty, staff and students whose core message resided in equality for blacks and specifically women.