# Awards

**Source**: https://aaas.stanford.edu/academics/awards
**Parent**: https://aaas.stanford.edu/academics/program-curriculum

Students are recognized and awarded for their service and academic achievements.

## James L. Gibbs Jr. Award for Superior Academic Performance

Qualifications:

- Senior
- 3.5 Cumulative GPA minimum
- Must be completing or have completed an Honors Thesis
- Active in at least one student organization,
- Declared AAAS major intending to graduate in spring.

Professor Gibbs chaired the African and African American Studies founding committee in 1968, was Stanford's first tenured African American professor, and served Stanford University's community for 30 years, retiring in January 1997.

The James L. Gibbs Jr. Award for Superior Academic Performance is given to a graduating **senior** in African and African American Studies who, through their **exceptional academic performance**, best exemplifies the scholarship and achievement of Professor James L. Gibbs, Jr.

### Instructions

Students may submit **750 word self-nominations or faculty or staff may submit nominations for candidates**. Students will be asked to also **submit an unofficial transcript**. Both can be sent to Ashante Johnson, Student Services Officer of the Department of African & African American Studies in May. A review committee will select finalists and the James L. Gibbs Jr. Award for Superior Academic Performance will be presented at the AAAS Diploma & Awards ceremony.

### Honorarium: $250

## 2025 Winner(s)

## **Name**: Taylor Hall

## 2024 Winner(s)

## **Name**: Osadolor Osawemwenze

Full List of Past Winners

**2025**: Taylor Hall

**2024**: Osadolor Osawemwenze

**2023**: Emily Nichols & Daryn Rockett\
**2022**: Ashley Toribio Hernandez & Eli Neal\
**2021**: Jamayka Young & Isis Anderson\
**2020**: Dayonna Tucker

## Trustee Leadership Award

Qualifications:

- Senior

Inspired by V. Joy Simmons, M.D., Trustee at Stanford University (2003-08) and in honor of the leadership of African American Trustees at Stanford University.

Unrestricted to any field of study in arts, humanities, and sciences, the award will be given to a graduating **senior** who has **demonstrated potential for great leadership**. **The award defines “leadership” broadly** to include the ability to constructively challenge the status quo, to creatively invent new approaches to progressive social change, to collaborate with others to form innovative solutions to racial inequity and injustice.

### Instructions

Students may submit **750 word self-nominations or faculty or staff may submit nominations for candidates**. Both can be sent to Ashante Johnson, Student Services Officer of the Department of African & African American Studies in May. Letters must include a detailed explanation of, and support for, how the student specifically meets the award criteria. A review committee will select finalists and the Trustee Leadership Award will be presented at the AAAS Diploma & Awards ceremony.

### Honorarium: $250

## 2025 Winner(s)

## **Name**: Michelle Kalu & Mikayla Tillery

## 2024 Winner(s)

## **Name**: Osadolor Osawemwenze

Full List of Past Winners

**2025**: Michelle Kalu & Mikayla Tillery

**2024**: Osadolor Osawemwenze

**2023**: Danae Cave & Lee'Shae Lawson\
**2022**: Micheal Brown & Sierra Porter\
**2021**: Ayoade Balogun\
**2020**: Morgan Me'Lyn Grant

## The Shanta Annan Memorial Award

Qualifications

- Freshman
- Excelled in a primary or cognate for the Program in African & African American Studies.

Shanta Annan was an outstanding freshman, who prior to her passing in 2004 in her freshman year, made a significant impact on the lives of students, faculty, and staff with whom she had connected.

The Shanta Annan Memorial Award is given for outstanding performance by a **freshman** in an African and African American Studies Course at Stanford University. This award honors her memory and talent. Affiliated AAAS faculty are asked to nominate students for this award, and freshmen are welcome to inform professors of this award.

A review committee will select finalists and the Shanta Annan Memorial Award will be presented at the Annual Black Community Services Center’s Academic and Community Awards Celebration in spring.

## 2024 Winner

## **Name**: Ria Khehar

## 2023 Winner

## **Name**: Grace MacQueen Turner

Full List of Past Winners

**2025**:

**2024**: Ria Khehar

**2023**: Grace MacQueen Turner

**2022**: Ellie Alexander

**2021**: Brittany Linus\
**2020**: Seray Bedoya

## The Academic Achievement & Service Award

Qualifications

No special qualifications.

The academic achievement and service award is given to students who combine academic achievement and service to the African and African American Studies Program at Stanford University.

**“Service” is defined broadly** and can include community work, intellectual support, creative, material, or scholarly forms of service to the Program in African & African American Studies.

### Instructions

Students may submit a **750 word self-nominations or faculty or staff may submit nominations for candidates**. Nominated students will be asked to also **submit an unofficial transcript**. Both can be sent to Ashante Johnson, Student Services Officer of the Department of African & African American Studies in May. Letters must include a detailed explanation of, and support for, how the student specifically meets the award criteria. A review committee will select finalists and The Achievement & Service Award will be presented at the AAAS Diploma & Awards ceremony.

### Honorarium: $250

## 2025 Winner(s)

## **Name**: Ellie Alexander & Josie Amoo

## 2024 Winner(s)

## **Name**: Alana Okonkwo

Full List of Past Winners

**2025**: Ellie Alexander & Josie Amoo

**2024**: Alana Okonkwo

**2023**: Emily Nichols & Mikayla Tillery\
**2022**: Arielle Williams\
**2021**: Allison Oddman\
**2020**: Tamara Morris, Cameron Daniel Parker Woods & Christopher Jordan Turner

## The Kennell Jackson, Jr. Award

Qualifications

- Senior completing an Honors Thesis project

The Kennell Jackson Research Award is given to one undergraduate student for their outstanding research in areas related to the African diaspora.

This recipient is invited to deliver a keynote talk at our spring Senior Presentations and receive a plaque and cash prize on or after commencement.

### Instructions

Applicants must submit (a) **an abstract of their completed project** (fewer than 500 words, must include articulation of main argument, commentary, or conclusion being advanced), (b) **one letter of reference from a faculty or secondary reader**, and (c) **an unofficial transcript**. The abstract should be accompanied by a cover letter identifying the context and significance of the research as well as a brief description of the project's methodologies. References must include an explanation of how the student's project demonstrates research excellence. Completed applications and confidential references should be sent to Ashante Johnson in May. Please also note that the required senior presentation workshop is mandatory for full Kennell Jackson Award consideration.

### Honorarium: $1,000

## 2025 Winner(s)

## **Name**: Taylor Hall

## 2024 Winner(s)

## **Name**: Brittany Linus & Osadolor Osawemwenze

Full List of Past Winners

**2025**: Taylor Hall

**2024**: Brittany Linus & Osadolor Osawemwenze

**2023**: Daryn Rockett & Tayonna Ewin\
**2022**: Sequoiah Hippolyte\
**2021**: Kory Gaines & Angel Smith\
**2020**: Mylan Gray

[Back to Top](#header)