College of Staten Island Assistant Director of Student Life, Leadership, and Civic Engagement Robert King Kee was recently bestowed the William A. Morris Humanitarian Award by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Staten Island Chapter at its 37th Annual Freedom Luncheon, held at the Pavilion on the Terrace, October 26.
A member of the College community since 2007, Kee was recognized for making civil rights advocacy his calling, both personally and professionally. In his current role at CSI, he oversees the College Food Pantry which serves students facing food insecurity, while leading the Volunteer and Civic Engagement Programs at CSI, collaborating with local Staten Island community-based organizations to address the various needs of the Borough. Kee is also a founding member of CSI’s RELAY Team (Respond, Establish Process, Link and Intervene, Assess, Yield Growth), an anti-racism resource to foster a more just, diverse, and inclusive campus community in which the dignity and belonging of all are respected.
“I am deeply honored, and it is really humbling to be honored in this way,” said Kee. “The NAACP has done a lot of great work, both in the local community and nationally, so to be seen and recognized in this way is a huge honor.”
Others honored with the William A. Morris Humanitarian Award were Bishop Dr. Joseph Ricks, Orit Lender, Bishop Laverne Larkins, and David Thomas. Adrian Apreza and Kavia Lewis were named Youth Honorees.
The President’s Award & Sojourner Truth Award, the branch’s highest honor, was bestowed to Sheree L. Goode, posthumously, as First Vice President Emerita.
Established in 1909 by a multiracial group of progressive thinkers, the NAACP is a non-profit organization established with the objective of ensuring the political, educational, social, and economic equality of minority groups. The Staten Island branch of the NAACP was founded 99 years ago by William A. Morris. Intermediate School 61, which serves the West and New Brighton communities, and feeds Curtis High School, also bears the William A. Morris name. It makes receiving the award much more special according to Kee.
“Especially with regard to education and what the NAACP has been able to do advocating for educational equality makes receiving this award very special to me,” said Kee. “As a doctoral student in education, my area of research is closing the racial equity gap, especially here on Staten Island. The NAACP has made a huge difference in so many different ways, from voting rights, to student advocacy, and legal advocacy, I feel like this honor speaks to the work I have tried to do and what I will continue to do. I am honored that it bears his name.”
Prior to his work at CSI, Kee was a Senior Associate at the Interaction Institute for Social Change (IISC) in Cambridge, MA, where he facilitated leadership, community building, conflict resolution, and diversity training across the globe. He has also designed and led anti-racism and cultural competency programs for various organizations, including the National Service Leadership Institute.
Program Director of CSI’s Liberty Partnerships Program Dr. Shawn Landry; DSW, a general member of NAACP Staten Island, recognizes the value that Kee and the other honorees have on the community and at CSI.
“As a member we are encouraged to draw on our community resources to recommend individuals in the community who work within the NAACP mission and vision,” Dr. Landry said. “It is an honor and a privilege to recognize hard-working community members. Robert is an unsung, under-recognized member of the CSI community who has dedicated himself to developing student leaders, and creating partnerships for CSI students by providing them with community service opportunities. Nominating him is an outstanding way for him to receive the recognition he deserves.”
Kee attended the ceremony directly after leading a group of students on a community-service “clean-up” event with the Office of Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella. “As wonderful as winning the award is, the true reward is leading students so that they in turn become tomorrow’s leaders. I’m glad I was able to be a part of both events that day and to be doing this great work of working with students.”
For more information on the Staten Island branch of the NAACP, see their social media handles on Facebook and Instagram and at www.naacp.org.