This committee spearheads the selection process of annual award recipients for the Joseph Sandy Himes Award for Lifetime Scholarship; A. Wade Smith Award for Teaching, Mentorship, and Service; James E. Blackwell Founders Award;  Jacquelyn Johnson Jackson Early Career Scholar Award; and the Ida B. Wells Barnett Book Award. The committee is responsible for soliciting nominees, evaluating candidates and selecting recipients. Evaluation and selection typically occurs in the spring.

Want to help recognize our organization’s outstanding servant-scholars? Write to BarBara M. Scott, Chair.

This committee develops the conference theme; puts together special sessions, including organizing the opening and closing plenaries and Awards Luncheon; fundraises for the conference; and increases conference participation by engaging past, existing, and potential ABS members.

Want to join the 2026 Annual Conference committee? Write to the Committee.

This committee is responsible for spearheading and/or coordinating communications from the organization including, but not limited to: The Griot newsletter, weekly announcements, and any special messages to the membership.

Interested in serving on the Communications Committee?  Write to Elizabeth Adetiba, University of Rochester

This committee keeps the physical and electronic materials of the organization and works to ensure proper storage and use.

Interested in serving on the History/Archives Committee?  Write to Earl Wright II, Chair – Rhodes College

This committee promotes the development of the organization, recruits members, keeps rosters, and helps with member log-in, renewal, and payment issues. This committee currently runs the ABS Relationship and Mentoring Program (RAMP).

Interested in joining the membership committee and strengthening and supporting our mighty number? Write to Mary Pattillo, Chair – Northwestern University. 

This committee is responsible for recruiting and orienting leaders for the organization’s elected positions.

Interested in serving on the Nominations Committee? Write to Veronica Newton, Chair – Georgia State University.

This committee is responsible for organizing professional development sessions during the Annual Conference and supporting professional development at all levels, student to practitioner to contingent faculty to tenured faculty, throughout the year.

Want to join the Professional Development committee? Write to Derrick Brooms, Chair – Morehouse College

This committee shall develop or supervise the development of whatever scholarly publications – journals, edited volumes, books – the ABS decides to undertake.

Interested in serving on the Membership Committee?  Write to Korey Tillman, Chair – Northeastern University

Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit papers for consideration for the Devon T. Wade Student Paper Awards. Papers can be on any topic, should be unpublished, and can be no more than 35-pages inclusive of all tables and figures, references, and notes. Saida Grundy is the 2026 Student Paper Awards chair. 

Want to help recognize dynamic and promising student scholarship? Write to Saida Grundy, Chair – Boston University