By Jeff Wilson
Kennard Tucker has long been dedicated to the development of the Dunbar Leadership Society – a collective voice for philanthropy aimed at inspiring giving and support within the SIU Black community.
“It’s important for Black alums to give back to SIU because the institution, for many of us, it changed the trajectory of our lives,” he said. “I was raised by a single mom. She scraped and saved every nickel to send me and my siblings to college. That opportunity was life changing. I don’t know where I would be today without it.”
A native of East St. Louis, Tucker graduated from Southern in 1991. Two of his siblings are Salukis, as is his son, and multiple cousins.
“SIU has been the family institution of higher learning. I made that venture down to the campus back in the fall of 1986,” he said. “I remember it like it was yesterday. It was the most rewarding experience and one I was grateful to have had.”
More recently, Tucker has made it his mission at SIU to establish and further the goals of the Dunbar Leadership Society (DLS).
“We really want to create an environment of African American philanthropic giving by creating a network of alums around the region, around the country that are like minded and want to give back to SIU,” he said.
The History
Founded on October 6, 1925, by SIU student Carl Lee and named after poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, the Dunbar Society promoted Black students’ literary, athletic, and social growth on campus. During challenging times of racism, segregation, and limited resources, the society emphasized racial equality and supported students’ aspirations.
The Dunbar Society has a rich history at SIU. Despite adversity, Black students created this society to foster a positive social climate. SIU’s commitment to educating Black students dates back to Dr. Alexander Lane, the first Black male graduate, in 1881. Records show two Black female students preceded him, but their identities remain unknown.
Since the 1960s, SIU has ranked among Illinois’s top state-funded universities for African American enrollment. The Dunbar Society’s advocacy led to the formation of organizations like the Black Affairs Council, which continues its essential work on campus today.
“It was an organization created by the university to provide social and educational support for African Americans, so we felt that entity and spirit fit very well with what we were trying to replicate,” Tucker said. “We added the “leadership” part to emphasize giving at leadership level of $1,000 or more.”
While not everyone can donate $1,000 or more all at once, Tucker pointed out that’s it’s possible to make a large impact through regular giving.
“You can always write a check for the full amount, or you can do a monthly pledge,” he said. “We can always come up with ways to make it more palatable.”
To learn more about the Dunbar Leadership Society, contact Sherrica Hunt at sherricah@foundation.siu.edu. To make a gift, visit siuf.org.