J. Frederick Miller Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service

Valeri Nesbitt-Howard joined the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (BNAACC) staff in January of 2015, as the Office Support Associate. Since then she has played a key role in shaping BNAACC as a welcoming space, and one that is key to the success and persistence of Black students at the University of Illinois. Along with her many day-to-day responsibilities, she remembers students' names, ensures they don’t leave hungry, and helps to create an environment of mutual trust, respect and support for Black students at a historically white University.

In recent years Ms. Val has launched two separate organizations aimed at providing services to women in underserved constituencies. InspireH.E.R., founded by Ms. Val in 2020, is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides program services to girls and young women, ages 12-19, from underserved communities, and prepares them for career, mentoring, personal, and economic success. Working closely with Unit 4 Schools, where Ms. Val also volunteers, InspireH.E.R. offers Mentorship, Mental Health Resources, Employment Resources, Financial Literacy Workshops, Resume Building, College & Career Prep, and a host of other resources as needed.

In 2023 Ms. Val helped launch Hope for Women, along with co-founder Mykeshia Lipscomb. Hope for Women is an organization that helps women recently released from prison in the Champaign-Urbana area. Recognizing the disproportionate resources directed towards men, Valeri and Mykeshia partnered with FirstFollowers Reentry program to develop a program to meet the unique needs of women, who often serve as the heads of households. The program helps women returning from prison obtain IDs, cell phones, apply for services including food stamps and health insurance, find counseling, and find and apply for jobs. For mothers, they’ll provide diapers and clothing for children. They provide bus passes and occasionally give rides to the women they help. They’ll help apply for rental assistance with the local township government, and will foot some of the bill for those behind on rent.

Through her many activities, Valeri has been instrumental in the acclimation of many students and residents into the campus and local community, and provided great support for women and the Black community. In both her professional capacity and her volunteer roles, Valeri has been able to improve the lives of students and community members alike, and played an impactful role in the lives of many.