Afrikan Black Coalition Student Awards
OVERVIEW:
The Afrikan Black Coalition is proud to provide three students with awards at our 24th 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 response must be a minimum of 500 words and no more than 1,000 words in length (1-3 pages). Please be sure to include the prompt before your written response so we know which prompt you are addressing.
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 (Submitted transcripts must reflect this requirement). Applicants must attend the 2027 conference.
Prompt: (Select One)
How do neocolonialism and imperialism continue to shape the political, economic, and social realities of Black communities worldwide today? Drawing on Marcus Garvey’s philosophy, what strategies or actions could students take to promote self-determination and advance global liberation?
OR
Marcus Garvey advocated for self-determination both as a core concept and guiding principle in addressing the political, economic, and cultural needs of Afrikan people.
Identify an institution, system, or condition affecting Black communities that you believe requires a new or alternative approach. What would you create, change, or organize to address it? How would your vision improve the material conditions of Black people?
Application Deadline:
Sunday, January 3, 2027Award Amount:
$1,000Renewable:
No
Eligible Campuses (Must have attended the 2026 ABC Chairs’ Retreat): CSU: Channel Islands, Chico, Dominguez Hills, East Bay, Fresno, Fullerton, Humboldt, Long Beach, Monterey Bay, Northridge, Pomona, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San José, San Luis Obispo, and Sonoma; UC: Davis, Irvine, Riverside, San Diego, and Santa Barbara;
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 2026 conference.
Prompt: (Select One)
Pan-Africanism is the political unification of Afrikan/Black people across the world under scientific socialism. Drawing from Kwame Nkrumah’s ideas on Pan-Africanism, what responsibilities, if any, do Black people in the United States have toward African people throughout the world? What does meaningful Pan-African solidarity look like beyond symbols, cultural celebration, or social media? Provide examples of how Black people can work across colonial boundaries toward political unity and collective liberation.
OR
Black students are often encouraged to pursue academic achievement, professional success, leadership positions, and other forms of individual advancement. Kwame Nkrumah envisioned education and leadership as tools that could contribute to the collective advancement and liberation of African people. What is the difference between individual achievement and collective liberation? How can students use their education, skills, relationships, or access to improve conditions for Black people beyond themselves? Describe how you have done or hope to do this through your own education or leadership.
Application Deadline:
Sunday, January 3, 2027Award Amount:
$750.00Renewable:
No
Eligible Campuses: CSU: Channel Islands, Chico, Dominguez Hills, East Bay, Fresno, Fullerton, Humboldt, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Monterey Bay, Northridge, Pomona, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San José, San Luis Obispo, Sonoma, Stanislaus; UC: Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara; Occidental College and the 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)
Ella Baker taught that “strong people don’t need strong leaders,” emphasizing the power of collective action and the importance of developing young people as organizers. Why is it important to train and develop young Black students as leaders today, and how do you see the role of Black youth in continuing the struggle for liberation and self-determination?
OR
Ella Baker believed young people had the ability to think, organize, and speak for themselves. Students throughout history have used their voices to question rules, challenge injustice, and advocate for changes in their schools and communities. Describe a time when you spoke up or wanted to speak up about something you believed was wrong or needed to change. What influenced your decision to speak or remain silent? What did the experience teach you about using your voice, and what do you believe schools should do to ensure students can express their ideas while respecting the rights of others?
Application Deadline:
Sunday, January 3, 2027Award Amount:
$250.00Renewable:
No
BE PREPARED TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:
Unofficial Transcript
Writing Prompt
Headshot Photo
Questions? oed@ablackcoalition.org
