Meet the Staff
Brandyn Bailey
(He/Him/His) What's this?
Assistant Director, Cultural Center
Advisor, Black Male Initiative (BMI)
brandyn.bailey@louisville.edu
502.852.0228
Ask Me About:
- Black Male Initiative
- The Parish Living Learning Community (LLC)
- Programming
- Coaching
- Service to the University: Black Homecoming Committee
- Recognized Student Organizations Advising: Black Diamond Choir, Brothers United
Fun fact: I was pulled over on Election Day 2008 for doing 126 in a 55… And yes, I still Baracked the vote because YES WE CAN.
He Says: "I’m rooting for, um, everybody Black. I’m betting on Black". – Issa Ray
Give Brandyn a shout for academic success coaching, participating with the Black Male Initiative, Brothers United, Black Student Union, Black Diamond Choir and the BMI Living Learning Community, graduate school preparation, leadership development, and community service involvement.
Brandyn's favorite thing about the Cultural Center is the dopeness that radiates from the students and staff.
Leondra Gully, M.Ed.
(She/Her/Hers) What's this?
Director, Black & Multiracial Initiatives
Advisor, Woodford R. Porter Scholarship Program
leondra.gully@louisville.edu
502.852.0231
Ask Me About:
- Student Success Initiatives
- Student Involvement
- Parish Living Learning Community (LLC)
- Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Program
- Woodford R. Porter Scholarship Program
- Service to the university: Commission on Diversity & Racial Equity (CODRE), Commission on the Status of Women (COSW), Staff Senate, Black Faculty & Staff Association (BFSA), Student Conduct Hearing Board, and several university committees.
- Recognized Student Organizations Advising: Black Student Union, Society of Porter Scholars, My Sister's Keeper, & Dazzling Cardettes
Hometown: East St. Louis, Illinois & Western Kentucky
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, minor in Pan-African Studies; Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services: concentration College Student Personnel; currently pursuing a PhD degree in Counseling & Personnel Services (College Student Personnel)
Fun fact: Leondra hates chocolate but loves Albanese gummy bears.
Leondra Says: “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” ― Angela Y. Davis
Connect with Leondra for academic success coaching, campus resources, graduate school preparation, leadership development, student organization development & event brainstorming, campus and local & community involvement. She can also help with navigating UofL’s campus as a current or transfer student and preparing for life after the undergraduate experience.
Leondra’s favorite thing about the Cultural Center is that at its core, the office is student-centered and the staff are committed to making the University of Louisville a place where all students feel a sense of belonging and are provided with the tools to thrive. "We want to make sure that all students feel welcome and that they know if they ever need anything we are always here to help and support them."
Click here and subscribe to the Cultural Center YouTube Channel to learn more about Leondra.
Daquarius Mahone, M.Ed.
(He/Him/His) What's this?
Program Coordinator, Black & Multiracial Initiatives
daquarius.mahone@louisville.edu
502.852.0232
Ask Me About:
- Recognized Student Organizations Advising: Nation Association For The Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Saving Our Student Campus Ministry
- Room Reservations
- Student Organizations
- Black Family Conference
Hometown: Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Education: Bachelor of Science in Communication; Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services: concentration College Student Personnel; currently pursuing a PhD degree in Counseling & Personnel Services (College Student Personnel)
Fun fact: Daquarius is a 1st Generation Grad.
Daquarius Says: “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” – Barack Obama
Connect with Daquarius for for academic success coaching, campus resources, cultural center events,and daily operations within the cultural center.
Daquarius’s favorite thing about the Cultural Center is the amount of love shown daily by the staff and student workers and the commitment to student advocacy.
Click here and subscribe to the Cultural Center YouTube Channel to learn more about Daquarius.
Marcos G. Morales Gutierrez
(Name/They) What's this?
Program Coordinator, Hispanic/Latinx & Indigenous Initiatives
marcos.morales@louisville.edu
502.852.7267
Ask Me About:
- Noche de Familia y Amigxs & Conocimiento
- Life Coaching
- Latinx Student Union (LSU)
- Compa Peer Mentors & Ambassadors
- Latinx Oral History Project
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Education: Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance, Concentration: Public Health Education. Minor in Wellness Coaching. Certificate: Peace, Justice, & Conflict Transformation. Currently pursuing a Master of Education in College Student Personnel as well as a certificate in Translation & Interpretation.
Fun fact: Marcos loves to ride their bike as much as possible.
They Say: “In Lak’ech: Yo Soy Tú o Tú Eres Yo, I Am You or You Are Me.”
Connect with Marcos for coaching, mentoring, event planning, and connecting to campus and community resources.
Marcos’ favorite thing about the Cultural Center is the commitment to the on-going and evolving practice of student and community solidarity.
Click here and subscribe to the Cultural Center YouTube Channel to learn more about Marcos.
Mónica Negrón,
(She/Hers/Her) What's this?
Director, Hispanic/Latinx and Indigenous Initiaitive
Monica.negron@louisville.edu
502.852.6656
Ask Me About:
- Programs and Events (Casas Abiertas, Noche De Familia y Amigos, Hispanic Heritage Month)
- Coaching
- Latino Student Union (LSU)
Hometown: Bel Air, Maryland
Education: Master of Science in Sport Administration & Bachelor of Arts in Biology with Spanish minor.
Fun Fact: Former UofL Lacrosse All-American and current member of the Puerto Rican Senior Women’s National Team.
Click here and subscribe to the Cultural Center YouTube Channel to learn more about Monica.
Ruth Meers
(She/Hers/Her) What's this?
Administrative Associate
ruth.meers@louisville.edu
502.852.0229
Ask Me About:
- Early Arrival Program
- Cultural Conexiones
- Student Employment
- Sustainability
Hometown: Louisville, Ky (Also lived abroad in Italy & Spain)
Fun Fact: Ruth enjoys foraging for wild plants and mushrooms and is park steward for Olmsted Parks.
Ruth's favorite thing about the Cultural Center is the welcomeness of everyone and the celebration of diversity. She is happy to be an ally.
Ruth shares that she is, "...most comfortable being uncomfortable. Getting outside of your comfort zone allows you to learn and grow."