The African American Studies Organization was honored with the Program/Event of the Year Award at the Student Excellence Awards ceremony on April 23, 2014. The award, presented by Student Life, recognizes a group of students or a student organization that has developed and implemented an outstanding, innovative program that significantly contributed to the quality of life at UAB.

The African American Studies Organization was organized in December, 2013. Since becoming a recognized student organization, the group has been actively involved in service and leadership activities. Activities sponsored during the Spring semester included two lectures, one by Dr. DeReef Jamison entitled, "Hip Hop and Masculinity," and a second by AIDS activist Marvelyn Brown entitled, "The Naked Truth: Young, Beautiful, and HIV Positive." The organization has also been involved in outreach activities to local schools and Community Colleges.

Dr. Kay Morgan, director of the African American Studies program, says the students in the organization have been very engaged on campus and in the community. "They have accomplished so much in a short period of time,” she says. “This organization is truly deserving of this award. The students are energetic, positive and optimistic about the African American Studies Program and its future on this campus and in this community."

To learn more about the African American Studies Program, visit www.uab.edu/cas/africanamericanstudies.