Dr. Doreen Loury, assistant professor of Sociology and director of Pan-African Studies, was honored at a Jan. 21 reception by One Village Alliance as the 2019 Black History in the Making (BHIM) Legacy Award. The award honors remarkable role models and mentors who both embody the values of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and have made an impact in changing the life narratives of boys and men of color. Dr. Loury is the first woman to receive this award.

One Village Alliance is a nonprofit organization that serves to help youth achieve their potential through education, entrepreneurship, and the arts. Dr. Loury has worked with One Village Alliance as founder and executive director of the Black Male Development Symposium (BMDS).

“It’s an honor working with someone who has the same vision as I do for empowering families, men, and boys of color,” said Dr. Loury. “This is a good one for me– to be recognized by people in the trenches, doing the work.”

BMDS is a place for transformative action and communication, where young men, older men, and women can share intellectual, emotional, spiritual and cultural opportunities for growth and development that will improve the quality of live for black males, their families, and their communities.

In addition to this honor, Dr. Loury was recently appointed to the Defenders Association of Philadelphia board. In this position, she will work with the community director to continue her vision of empowering boys, men, and communities of color.

“I’ve been fortunate in my career to be somewhere I’m passionate about,” said Dr. Loury. “I want to be places I can make a difference.”