Big Picture Initiative awarded Bradley University senior Kianna Goss the second quarterly “Biggie” Award for June 2022. This award recognizes a Giving Voice contributor who takes the meaning and impact of community involvement outside of the pages of this publication.
Ms. Goss recently graduated from Bradley University, where she majored in journalism with a double minor in sociology and advertising with public relations. During her time at Bradley, she went above and beyond in her extracurricular involvement. She was Vice President/ Social Media Chair of the Epsilon Eta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Social Media Director/ writer for Her Campus, team leader/student caller at the Bradley Fun, a peer mentor for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, as well as a student writer for Giving Voice.
Kianna first joined Giving Voice in the early days of its formation back in November of 2020. Since then, she has been one of our most dependable writers, submitting an article nearly every month. Her writings explore a variety of pressing topics, from highlighting the exhaustion of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic, to sharing her experience as a Black woman in America. Her writings are consistently informative, powerful, and eye-opening.
The Giving Voice team at Big Picture has continually been inspired by Ms. Goss’s writings, as well as her impact on the community at Bradley University and Peoria. Now that she’s graduated from Bradley, she has returned home to Chicago, Illinois. While we are sad to see her go, we are confident that her work will inspire new Giving Voice writers and young journalists alike, and that she will continue to make a lasting impact on her community wherever she goes. We wish her all the best, and we look forward to following her soaring career.
The Giving Voice team at Big Picture has continually been inspired by Ms. Goss’s writings, as well as her impact on the community at Bradley University and Peoria. Now that she’s graduated from Bradley, she has returned home to Chicago, Illinois. While we are sad to see her go, we are confident that her work will inspire new Giving Voice writers and young journalists alike, and that she will continue to make a lasting impact on her community wherever she goes. We wish her all the best, and we look forward to following her soaring career.
In May of 2022, Big Picture Executive Director Dr. Mae Gilliland Wright presented Ms. Goss with the “Biggie” award and a $250 check while treating her to one last cup of Peoria coffee at thirty-thirty Coffee Co. Student Illustrator Ary Westfall created the portrait seen at the beginning of this article and on the cover.
The award was created by local iron artist Jam Rohr of Black Dog Metal Arts. The cash award is made possible through a grant from the Gilmore Foundation. The next award due date is September 30, 2022. Find more information and nominate someone today.