Hampton University News September 28, 2015 Alana Simmons Presented Presidential Citizenship Award at HU Convocation Simmons founded Hate Won't Win Movement in response to Charleston shooting Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey presented the Presidential Citizenship Award at Hampton University's Opening Convocation Ceremony to Newport News, Va. resident Alana Simmons, who is the grandchild of the Rev. Daniel Lee Simmons Sr., one of the nine Charleston shooting victims. She is an active member of the Hampton Roads community, a realtor, a mentor, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Simmons also holds several pageant titles and is currently vying for Miss Black USA in August of 2016. As Dr. Harvey listed her accolades, he stressed that Ms. Simmons' successes are impressive, but that is not why he chose to present her with the coveted award. In a sobering moment of appreciation, Dr. Harvey explained, "when your grandfather was brutally murdered in a bible study held at Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, along with eight other worshippers . . . you and your family chose triumph. You had the epiphany to understand that God allows what he hates to accomplish what he loves. You have been inspired to say, although my grandfather and other victims died at the hands of hate, they lived love. He continued, "Your family and the African-American leadership of Charleston rejected the request of professional protestors to come to Charleston to speak and excite the community as they have done in other cities where tragedies occurred. And as a result, there was no rioting, there was no looting, there was no burning of businesses, there was no burning of homes in the black community," Harvey said. "Instead, the killer's wish to start a race war was not only denied, but just the opposite occurred. The world saw a demonstration of love and grace." Simmons graciously accepted the award by saying she hopes she inspires others to advocate for what they believe in. "There're so many bystanders in our community, I hope that my story inspires you to be a upstander," she said. Simmons challenged the attendees to participate in the Hate Won't Win Challenge by taking a picture with a person of a different race, religion or generation and posting the hashtag #hatewontwin to social media. Opening Convocation marks the official beginning of the 2015-2016 academic year. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.