2025 Elkhart Chapter of Indiana Black Elkhart Communit Trailblazer Awards

The top African American students in the Elkhart County will gather to be honored for being the top student at their respective schools,. Over the last 9 years in partnership with Elkhart Community Schools the Elkhart Chapter of Indiana Black Expo will host the 9th annual trailblazer awards, this award program honors the top African American students for their work in the class room.

the award program also honors the top African American Garvin Roberson Student Athlete Award. The award is given to a student athlete who excels in both sports and the classroom.

This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Sean L. HuddlestonDr. Sean L. Huddleston President of Martin University Dr. Sean L. Huddleston became the fifth president of Martin University on March 19, 2019. He brings over 30 years of experience in the private and public sectors to his role as President and Chief Executive Officer of Indiana’s only Predominantly Black Institution (PBI).

Dr. Huddleston is widely recognized as a servant-leader. His focus on the student as a whole-individual, dedication to the well-being and career development of the university’s faculty and staff, commitment to building and sustaining relationships with local, regional, and national employers, and a clear definition of community beyond geographical boundaries, guide his vision for Martin University as a purveyor, overseer, and accelerator of collective impact.

As a testament to his belief that “Education is the most fundamental of all civil rights,” under his guidance, the university has experienced an increase in new student enrollment, improved retention, and graduation rates, expanded its academic programs, and achieved continued accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. The university has also increasingly developed partnerships with many of Indiana’s largest employers.

Dr. Huddleston led the development of Martin University’s five-year strategic plan - “Mission Driven, Future Focused” - a planning and implementation process culminating in 2027 when the university will celebrate its 50th Anniversary. Later in 2022, the university will unveil its first master plan in a decade.

Through Dr. Huddleston’s leadership, Martin University founded the National Center for Racial Equity and Inclusion, targeted at businesses and nonprofits in Indiana to assist their leaders and the surrounding communities in strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, the Martin WORKS apprenticeship program, Indiana’s only urban work college program, was created to allow university students working with local employers to have the opportunity to earn compensation while solidifying a permanent position with that employer before graduation.

Before being named President and Chief Executive Office of Martin University, Dr. Huddleston served as Vice President and Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at the University of Indianapolis. Before that, he was Chief Officer of Diversity, Inclusion & Community Engagement at Framingham State University in Framingham, Massachusetts. He also served as an Assistant Vice President at Grand Valley State in Allendale, Michigan.

While at the University of Indianapolis, Dr. Huddleston was instrumental in creating The Paul Washington-Lacey Emerging Leader Program, designed to inspire student growth in four key areas - academic excellence, career readiness, leadership development, and personal growth. At Framingham State University, he was responsible for creating the Center for Inclusive Excellence (CIE), a center focused on student groups historically underrepresented in higher education, and the CIE’s Brother to Brother program, a program developed to support and inspire the educational, professional, and social success of men and women of color.

Along with other distinguished recipients, Dr. Huddleston was honored to receive the 2022 Achievement in Education Award from Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb at the Governor’s Awards Reception. The reception acknowledged the outstanding achievements of African Americans throughout the state.

He has served on the boards of First Financial Bank, Greater Indiana Progress Committee, Indiana Economic Development Club, Indiana Symphony Orchestra, Kennedy-King Memorial Initiative, Newfields, and the Red Cross of Indiana.

Dr. Huddleston earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree (B.A.) from Siena Heights University. He later earned a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Adult and Higher Education and an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Leadership from Grand Valley University. Dr. Huddleston completed his doctorate in Community College Leadership at Ferris State University (Ed.D.) and has received professional certifications from Cornell University and Dartmouth College.

Dr. Huddleston is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and the Alpha Eta Boulé of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.

His proudest and most notable accomplishments are being a loving husband and the father of three sons, whom he adores.

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