WASHINGTON – The Howard University Department of History is the recipient of the 2019 American Historical Association (AHA) Equity Award, which support’s the association’s decades-old commitment to diversifying the historical profession. The Equity Award recognizes individuals and institutions that have achieved excellence in recruiting and retaining underrepresented racial and ethnic groups into the historical professions. 

“The Department of History is deeply honored that our generations-long efforts to mentor and train historically underrepresented students are being recognized by the most significant historical association in the country – we are both humbled and proud,” says Professor and Chair of the Howard University Department of History, Nikki Taylor, Ph.D. “Our students go on to make indelible impressions with research that illuminates inequality, oppression, and injustice, while also highlighting the courage, perseverance, creativity, and tenacity of humanity. That is our legacy.”

The AHA’s Committee on Minority Historians served as the selection committee for the Equity Award, and selected entities with strong records including program building, fundraising initiatives, civic engagement, and enhancement of department and campus culture to promote a supportive environment. AHA says the selected honorees have taken advantage of university and community resources to diversify their students and faculty, and to provide professional experience through teaching, research, post-doctoral or internship programs. While the awards are honorary and have no monetary component, winners will receive a certificate of recognition that especially honors their efforts to secure and sustain diversity in the discipline.

The department will be honored during the opening reception and presentation ceremony for the AHA’s 134th Annual Meeting, scheduled January 3-6, 2020 in New York City. 

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ABOUT THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

The American Historical Association is a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1884 and incorporated by Congress in 1889 for the promotion of historical studies. The AHA provides leadership for the discipline by protecting academic freedom, developing professional standards, supporting scholarship and innovative teaching, and helping to sustain and enhance the work of historians. As the largest organization of professional historians in the world, the AHA represents more than 12,000 members and serves historians representing every historical period and geographical area in a wide variety of professions. The AHA is a trusted voice for history education, the professional work of historians, and the critical role of historical thinking in public life. Learn more about our work on behalf of the entire discipline and connect with the staff that is dedicated to advancing history and historical thinking for the benefit of all. For more information, visit https://www.historians.org.

ABOUT HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

Media contact: Ramzey Smith, Office of University Communications, ramzey.smith@howard.edu