Iowa Black Alumni Association

 2025-2026  IBAA Scholarship:  $1200

McKinley “Deacon” Davis Scholarship - Founder of IBAA

Isabella Hogan, 3rd yr – social work, AAS/pre-law. 

 McKinley “Deacon” Davis. Davis is the founder of the Iowa Black Alumni Association and he served as chair for 20 years. Davis played for the Harlem Globetrotters between 1955 and 1957. After that he made his career helping families achieve financial security - offering educational assistance, fighting social inequality, and providing leadership resources.

Elizabeth Catlett Scholarship – first Black women to earn IA MFA in Art and Art History

Adriana Breddin, 3rd yr – political science/criminology/pre-law. 

Elizabeth Catlett. Catlett was the first Black women to earn an MFA in Art and Art History from Iowa in 1940. Her Master’s thesis was a sculpture of a Black mother and child that received the first place prize from the American Negro Exposition the year of her graduation. Catlett later made Mexico her home teaching at the School of Fine Arts in San Carlos until her death. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

Fredrick “Duke” Slater Scholarship – first Black All American in football at Iowa 

Corey Dixon Jr. – Exercise Science/Dance 

Frederick “Duke” Slater. Slater was the first Black All American in football at Iowa leading the team to an undefeated season in 1921. He went on to earn his law degree in 1928 from the UI College of law and became the second Black elected judge in Chicago. Slater dorm and Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium field are both named after Duke Slater. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity Inc.

Dora Martin Berry Scholarship – first Black Miss State University of Iowa

Destiny Kinyalya, 3rd yr – social work/pre-law 

 Dora Martin Berry. Berry was voted the first Black Miss State University of Iowa. Although she was crowned at the Fire and Ice Ball in 1955, the University did not allow her to participate in any other activities. In October 2016, Berry received a formal apology for her treatment from UI President Bruce Harreld. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Sorority Inc.

Dr. Lulu Merle Johnson Scholarship – first Black women to earn Ph.D. in History from Iowa

Olivia Carter, 2nd yr - Public Health/AAS/Pre-Med

 Dr. Lulu Merle Johnson. Dr. Johnson became the first Black women to earn a Ph.D. in History from Iowa in 1941. She also received her BA and MA degrees from here. In 2021, Johnson County here in Iowa was renamed in her honor. Dr. Johnson excelled as an educator and a civil rights activist fighting against segregation. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Helen Lemme - received her BA from Iowa in1928 and went on to support Black UI students by providing housing until dorms were desegregated. 

      Kiriana Williams, 3rd yr – neuroscience/molecular biology. 

 Helen Lemme.  Lemme received her BA from Iowa in 1928 and went on to support Black UI students by providing housing until the dorms were desegregated. She was a prominent civil rights and community leader in Iowa City, receiving the titles - best citizen of the year and woman of the year in 1955. Lemme was also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.