Springfield, MO—On April 26, SAAB (formerly known as Student African American Brotherhood) hosted their highly anticipated third annual SAAB City Wide Awards Reception at the Kickapoo High School cafeteria. This event was a resounding success, with distinguished individuals such as Dr. Grenita Lathan and various SAAB Ambassador Council Members including; the City of Springfield, Missouri State University, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Spencer Fane Law Firm, Commerce Bank, Central Bank, Arvest Bank, Simmons Bank, Great Southern Bank, and all area Rotary Clubs being honored for their support of the SAAB organization and their commitment to engaging with SAAB students throughout the school year.
The decision to hold an annual awards reception stems from the SAAB Headquarters’ relocation to Springfield three years ago. SAAB CEO and founder, Dr. Tyrone Bledsoe, recognized the importance of acknowledging students who have achieved remarkable accomplishments throughout the school year and the support from local business and non-profit leaders. By highlighting these individuals, SAAB aims to inspire and motivate others to strive for excellence.
The inception of SAAB dates back to 1990 at Georgia Southwestern State University, where Dr. Bledsoe as a young administrator at the University identified a concerning trend involving young males of color on that campus. During the 1980s, there was a distressingly low percentage of black men enrolling in and completing college. In response to this disheartening situation, Dr. Bledsoe established at the time, the Student African American Brotherhood with a mission to provide comprehensive support to men of color. SAAB recently did a brand refresh to celebrate its diversity in members around the country. The organization’s objective is to ensure these individuals excel academically, socially, and professionally to live lives of purpose.
Through the powerful bonds of brotherhood and mentorship, SAAB actively operates on over 350 campuses across 41 states, providing support to men of color in middle schools, high schools, and colleges.
Looking ahead, SAAB has exciting plans for the future of the SAAB National Conference. For the first time, it is anticipated that Springfield, MO, will play host to this significant event. This gathering will bring together speakers who are passionate about promoting the success and well-being of men of color. The SAAB National Conference promises to be an extraordinary opportunity for attendees to network, share ideas, and collaborate on strategies to advance the mission of SAAB coupled with the Springfield community being able to get involved.
by Samuel Knox,
UniteNews Staff Writer
