Each February, SIU hosts a series of events to honor Dr. Alonzo Kenniebrew, the first Black physician in the United States to build and operate a private surgical hospital. This year, one of the gatherings is being renamed to honor the late Dr. Wesley Robinson-McNeese.
During the 2024 Alonzo Kenniebrew Lecture on February 8, Dr. Wendi El-Amin presented awards to honor individuals and a group who continue the challenging work Dr. Kenniebrew modeled, promoting inclusive excellence and equitable practices.
Sunny Nakae, PhD, offered lessons in empowerment and building skills to “become an ally” at the 2022 Dr. Alonzo Kenniebrew Lecture on February 8. Nakae is senior associate dean for equity, inclusion, diversity and partnership at California University of Science and Medicine. Her virtual talk focused on the importance of allies in combating and correcting injustice and mistreatment in the workplace, institutions and the public sphere. She drew inspiration from her family history. Nakae’s Asian-American grandparents ran a California orchard and were sent to the U.S. internment camps during World
