Janice Darko awarded the Minijean Brown Award of Virtue
School of Dentistry student Janice Darko received the Minijean Brown Award of Virtue during the Black Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony in February. The award is given to University of Utah students who have “helped [to] build and broadcast the University of Utah in a positive light.”
“Words cannot describe how grateful and honored I am that the University of Utah campus appreciates all of the hard work and positivity that I bring to the School,” Darko said. “I am so proud of everyone (my parents, children, friends, faculty and staff, colleagues, the U.S. Navy, the Black Cultural Center, and the Eccles Library) who contributed to making this award come to fruition.”
“I hope this award will inspire young people with my background to aim higher, prove others wrong, and... achieve anything they want if they believe in their dreams and put in the work and effort.”
Darko has not only made significant contributions to the larger university community, but she’s also brought attention to the School of Dentistry’s mission and community outreach efforts—all while encouraging inclusion and a sense of belonging among students. Originally from Ghana and a mother to two children, Darko is a third-year dental student at UUSOD who also serves as the secretary for the Utah Student American Dental Association (ASDA) club, the vice president of Personal Development of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) club, and a writer for the ASDA Contour Magazine.
Additionally, as the founder and president of the Black and Art Dental Student Association (BDSA), her coordination of the group’s art gallery exhibitions has elevated the voices of UUSOD students, provided a creative platform for them to explore their work, and celebrated their experiences.
BDSA will be hosting its third annual art gallery exhibition from April 4 to May 5, 2022.
“It will give the opportunity for more new artists in the UUSOD community to showcase their artistic side to the world... and bring inspiration and innovation to every dental student, faculty and staff member who has a talent for art," Darko said.
Darko said that BDSA hopes to further the UUSOD mission by “raising enough funds to provide humanitarian assistance to the underserved and low-income communities in Utah, and hopefully we can expand to serve across the United States.”