Afrikan Black Coalition Student Awards
OVERVIEW:
The Afrikan Black Coalition is proud to provide three students with awards and one scholarship at our 22nd Annual Afrikan Black Coalition Conference. For more information about our awards, please read the information below. All prompts must be typed and spell-checked with a standard Times New Roman 12-point font and 1-inch margins. Each prompt should be a minimum of 500 words.
The Marcus Garvey Visionary Award
Marcus Garvey dedicated his life to the economic, industrial, political, and cultural development of African people. Applicants must be an Afrikan/Black student enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at one of our member-campuses. This award is intended to elevate the work (creative, academic, etc.) and talents of Afrikan/Black individuals who have put forth plans and/or work with organizations whose missions impact the material conditions of our people. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Applicants must attend the 2025 conference.
Prompt: (Select One)
How did Marcus Garvey’s ideas influence leaders within the Black Power Movement? What aspects of Garvey’s philosophy are still evident in modern activism for racial justice?
OR
In “The Future As I See It,” Marcus Garvey discusses the role of propaganda in shaping public perception, particularly how it has been used to misrepresent the intellectual capabilities of Afrikan/Black people and the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). Reflect on modern examples where propaganda has shaped narratives about historically excluded and exploited peoples.
What role do media and communication play in the larger context of liberation for all oppressed peoples? How can contemporary social movements counter propaganda in today’s media landscape?
Application Deadline:
Thursday, January 2, 2025Award Amount:
$1,000Renewable:
No
Eligible Campuses: Sonoma State University; CSU Chico; Sacramento State; UC Davis; CSU East Bay; San José State University; CSU Monterey Bay; Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; UC Santa Barbara; UC Merced; CSU Fresno; CSU Northridge; CSU Los Angeles; CSU Long Beach; CSU Dominguez Hills; UC Los Angeles; CSU Fullerton; UC Irvine; UC Riverside; CSU San Bernardino; San Diego State University; UC San Diego; and University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
The Kwame Nkrumah Camaraderie Award
Kwame Nkrumah was the first prime minister of Ghana and a pioneer of Pan-Africanism, the foundational ideology and objective of ABC. Applicants must be Afrikan/Black students enrolled as full-time undergraduate students at one of our member campuses. This award is intended for Afrikan/Black applicants who demonstrate an understanding of the importance of building relationships and power within the Afrikan Diaspora. Applicants must attend the 2025 conference.
Prompt: (Select One)
Kwame Nkrumah was a leading figure in the fight for Ghana’s independence and a strong advocate of Pan-Africanism. How did his political ideas and leadership influence Ghana’s path to independence and the broader movement for African unity?
OR
The Organization of African Unity (OAU), co-founded by Nkrumah in 1963, sought to unite African countries under a common political and economic framework. Discuss the significance of the OAU’s efforts to combat colonialism and apartheid, such as its support for the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa. How does the OAU’s mission relate to ongoing struggles for political and economic autonomy in Africa today?
Application Deadline:
Thursday, January 2, 2025Award Amount:
$750.00Renewable:
No
Eligible Campuses: Sonoma State University; CSU Chico; Sacramento State; UC Davis; UC Berkeley; CSU East Bay; San Francisco State University; San José State University; CSU Monterey Bay; Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; UC Santa Barbara; UC Merced; CSU Fresno; CSU Northridge; CSU Los Angeles; CSU Long Beach; CSU Dominguez Hills; UC Los Angeles; CSU Fullerton; UC Irvine; Cal Poly Pomona; UC Riverside; CSU San Bernardino; San Diego State University; UC San Diego; and University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
The Ella Baker Youth Award
Ella Baker was a brilliant organizer during both the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, where radical transformation and youth empowerment were Baker’s primary focuses. Applicants must be an Afrikan/Black student enrolled at a high school in California. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to improving the lives and material conditions of Afrikan/Black people through service.
Prompt: (Select One)
When reflecting on her experiences and protest activities in high school and college, Ella Baker remarked, “I did not break the rules [at Shaw], but I challenged the rules.” How can challenging rules be different from breaking them? Have you ever questioned a rule or expectation, and what did you learn from that experience?
OR
Affectionately referred to as the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement," Ella Baker was known for her work in cultivating the leadership and organizing skills of young Black people in organizations such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
Why do you think having a mentor is important? Think of someone you look up to—what lessons or inspiration have they given you? How has their mentorship influenced your leadership and/or advocacy efforts?
Application Deadline:
Thursday, January 2, 2025Award Amount:
$250.00Renewable:
No
BE PREPARED TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:
Unofficial Transcript
Writing Prompt
Headshot Photo
Questions? oed@ablackcoalition.org
