Outstanding Black Leaders of Tomorrow

2021 Outstanding Black Leaders of Tomorrow

The Commission on the Status of Black Males (CSBM) Outstanding Black Leaders of Tomorrow Award is given annually to two African American men and women, respectively from the following categories: high school and adult. The Outstanding Black Leaders of Tomorrow Award is presented each year at the Black History Month Gala Celebration in February.

The CSBM recognizes the importance of highlighting the outstanding contributions made by young African American men and women in our community for their outstanding leadership, scholarship and involvement in making tangible, visible and meaningful contributions to the Bloomington community.

The 2020 deadline for nominations is Tuesday, February 9, 2021. 

Eligibility

All nominees for the Outstanding Black Male Leader of Tomorrow Award and the Outstanding Black Woman Leader of Tomorrow Award must have been a Monroe County resident for at least one year prior to nomination. 

For the high school-aged category, the nominee must: 
-Be an African American male or female enrolled in high school.
-Demonstrate outstanding leadership, scholarship, and/or have been personally involved in making tangible, visible, and meaningful contributions to the Bloomington community. 

For the adult category, the nominee must:
-Be an African American male or female no older than 30 years of age.
-Demonstrate outstanding leadership, scholarship, and/or have been personally or professionally involved in making tangible, visible, and meaningful contributions to the Bloomington community.

2018 Outstanding Black Male Leaders of Tomorrow Recipients

The CSBM is pleased to announce the 2018 Outstanding Black Male Leader of Tomorrow award winners. Recipients were acknowledged at the 2018 Black History Month Gala on Saturday, February 24, 2018.  

Outstanding Black Male Leader of Tomorrow High School Award recipient

The adult recipient is Marvin Q. Jones, Jr. Marvin Q. Jones, Jr., is a native of Newport News, VA. He is an alumnus of North Carolina A&T State University where he obtained a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Applied Mathematics, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Professional Mathematics. He is currently studying Astrophysics through the Physics Department at Indiana University. He has a deep love of STEM work and the intersections with politics, social justice and service. Upon finishing his doctorate, he desires to work for NASA as a computational astrophysicist. He also plans to apply for the astronaut program in several years. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, making quality Apple Music playlists, reading, journaling, boxing, and movies. He also enjoys doing community work and fostering community-engaging activities. One of his favorite activities has been hosting Thanksgiving for fellow graduate students here in Bloomington. He, along with Gloria Howell, oversees the Bethel Homework Help Program, where they provide free assistance to students through volunteers that tutor in multiple areas of need. He hopes that his ideas and thoughts help himself and others grow while navigating the world around them in a more compassionate way. He wants to continue to serve and leave a legacy that inspires people to have empathy for their fellow man and provide service to anyone in need. 

Outstanding Black Male Leader of Tomorrow Adult recipient

The high school recipient is David Johnson. David Anthony Johnson is a junior at Bloomington High School North (BHSN) where he is a well-rounded student dedicated to activities both inside and outside of the classroom. As a student taking Honors and Advanced Placement courses, David holds a 3.4 grade point average. His involvement includes being a current member of the International Club and BHSN Track Team and a past member of the BHSN Cross Country Team. David has also shown leadership, service, and dedication to numerous organizations in the Bloomington community including the March of Dimes, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Community Kitchen, St. Charles Youth Group, and the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Counselor-in-Training Program (CIT). David began to hone his leadership skills as a CIT where he gained hands-on experience engaging and working with children in summer day camp activities. He also understands the importance of having a global perspective. Having traveled to Costa Rica with his Spanish class and on numerous trips around the world with his parents including the West Indies, Greece, and Turkey, David has an appreciation of other cultures and knows that to change the world, you must first seek to understand it. David currently serves as an intern for the Commission on the Status of Black Males where he assists with planning various Bicentennial events geared toward African American males. He hopes to attend the Indiana University Balfour Scholars program in Summer 2018 and ultimately become an IU Hudson and Holland Scholar majoring in Sports Media as a freshman in 2019.

2017 Outstanding Black Male Leaders of Tomorrow Recipients

The 2017 Outstanding Black Male Leader of Tomorrow High School Award recipient is Caleb Poer.

This junior at Bloomington High School North (BHSN) service to the community is recognizable both inside and outside of the classroom. Caleb is an honor student, varsity athlete, accomplished visual and performing artist. He is a mentor with the BHSN Cougar Leader Program, former student body president, and current student representative in BHSN student council. Poer was instrumental with the student council Adopt-a-Family project, Project Middle Way, organized a student-led protest at the Monroe County Community School Corporation Administration building that resulted in the administration issuing a ban of the confederate flag being worn at BHSN. Caleb contributes his success to the love and support of his family members and friends and his community.

The 2017 Outstanding Black Male Leader of Tomorrow Adult recipient is Brian A. Richardson Jr.

Brian Richardson Jr. challenges others to achieve greatness, on the campus at Indiana University (IU), and in the community. As the Assistant Director of Student Diversity and Inclusion for the IU School of Public Health, he is passionately devoted to the professional development of students. Off campus, he serves as a youth mentor and an advocate for the Krimson Leadership Academy (KLA), a mentoring program that he developed for young males at Fairview Elementary School. Richardson believes that the impact of good mentor is something that should never be underestimated. This husband, recent father of a baby girl, and proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. remains on a mission to help others not only become leaders in in their communities but, to become leaders in the process for change and cultural understanding.