Congratulations to Kamillah Kassam, the 2023 Samuel DuBois Cook Society Graduate Awardee! The Samuel DuBois Cook Society was established in the spring of 1997 to honor Dr. Cook, a retired Duke University professor who was the first African-American professor to hold a regular faculty appointment at a predominantly white college or university in the South. The society recognizes the years of service that Dr. Cook has offered to Duke University, to the cause of African-American advancement, and to the betterment of relations between people of all backgrounds.
The mission of the Cook Society is to recognize, celebrate, and affirm the presence of African-American students, faculty, and staff at Duke University. Kamillah was nomitated by the Graduate School for "unapologetically defending the ideal of belonging as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG). Kamillah's diversity work brings to mind the labors of the late Dr. Cook, which involved making important connections between his role on various campuses with key administrators and stakeholders. Like Dr. Cook, Kamillah leaves a model that individuals coming after her can use and build upon. In her own words, Kamillah perceives that the most important part of her diversity work is to ensure that marginalized students feel supported."
Congratulations, Kamillah. We look forward to recognizing your work and celebrating with you and fellow community members who follow Dr. Cook's example of social activism and leadership at the award ceremony on Monday, February 13, 2023.
Chemistry