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James Duah-Agyeman G’99 Is a 2025 Unsung Hero

Syracuse University School of Education alumnus James Duah-Agyeman G’99 is one of five recipients of the 2025 Unsung Hero Award, the 40th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Planning Committee has announced.

James Duah-Agyeman G’99 HeadshotThe award is given to community members, students, faculty, and staff who have made a positive impact on the lives of others but are not widely recognized for their contributions. The awards were created to honor Dr. King’s vision of creating positive change in a troubled world.

The award winners were recognized at the 40th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on January 26, featuring keynote speaker Sarah Willie-LeBreton, President of Smith College.

Holding a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education, Duah-Agyeman is former Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and special advisor to the Men of Color Initiative. He has a 38-year record of achievement at Syracuse University—as a graduate student, teacher, academic counselor, administrator, and leader.

“There are many who talk the talk of service, inclusion and integrity, but in the context of engagement with the world, ‘Dr. D’ has walked the walk again and again,” says nominator Barry L. Wells, former Senior Vice President of Student Affairs and former Special Assistant to Chancellor Kent Syverud. “In the process, he has set a powerful example for students, faculty, staff, and community members in how one person can make a significant difference in the development and expansion of a community that values service and inclusion.”

Duah-Agyeman most recently led Multicultural Affairs in developing programs to advance inclusion on the Syracuse campus by creating best-in-class programs such as the WellsLink Leadership Program; Dimensions, a peer mentoring program for women of color; and Men of Color.

He was instrumental in piloting and introducing the Conversations About Race and Ethnicity intergroup dialogue programs on campus. He also advocated for inclusion through his community work with Interfaith Works of Central New York and the Ghana Society of CNY.

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