Scholarships and Awards

William Hallett Greene Award

In recognition of a Graduating senior, majoring in Black Studies, with the highest grade point average (GPA).

Edward Scobie Award for Africana Social Science Research

Awarded to a graduating senior, majoring in Black Studies that have shown academic achievement and excellence in Africana Social Science.

Wilfred Cartey Award for Africana Literary and Creative Excellence

Awarded to a graduating senior, majoring in Black Studies, that has shown academic achievement and excellence in Africana Literary and Creative Excellence.

Marshariki Chaney Award for Achievement and Community Service

Awarded to a graduating senior, who has a major or minor in Black Studies, has shown academic achievement and community service to the Black Studies, the City College of New York, and their community. 

Highest Grade Point Average- Black Studies Minor

Awarded to a graduating senior, minoring in Black Studies, with the highest grade point average (GPA) and Academic Achievement

Best Black Studies Essay Award

For excellence in writing and authoring an essay that demonstrates a strong command of African and Africana Studies.

The Allen F. Isaacman Prize offers $5000 to a junior or senior to encourage the person to pursue a Ph.D in African Studies, with a strong preference for History.

A 1964 graduate of The City College of New York, Allen F. Isaacman is an Emeritus Regents Professor of History and the former Director of the Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change at the University of Minnesota. He is the author of numerous books on African history and the recipient of the 2013 Distinguished Africanist Award from the African Studies Association.

Applications must be submitted via the Application Form.

For more information, contact the Black Studies Department, blackstudies@ccny.cuny.edu, or the History Department, history@ccny.cuny.edu.

 Information Session:

Thursday, March 20, 2025
12:30pm - 1:45pm

Black Studies Department

Shepard 278

All submissions are due by Thursday, April 10, 2025

Application*

All Applicants must submit the following: 

• A one-page statement discussing your plan for graduate study in African Studies 
• A copy of a research paper written on any topic in African Studies 
• A copy of your transcript and at least one reference
• An Application Form

* You must be a junior or senior to apply.

The City College Fellowships Program is an umbrella program administering two undergraduate fellowships: The City College Fellowship (CCFELL) and the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF).  It brings together approximately 10 Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellows and 25 City College Fellows into a single, highly diverse and vibrant community of outstanding students who share a common interest in research and common aspirations to earn a Ph.D.

The City College Kaye Scholars Program is made possible through a generous gift from the H. Austin and Florence R.S. Kaye Foundation. It is the goal of the foundation to "assist young people in the pursuit of new frontiers in the humanities, in the arts or in philosophy and thus strengthen the intellectual and productive base of our nation."

The Division of Humanities and Arts just completed its second exciting summer research program for CCNY students. The CCNY-Stanford Summer Program is designed for students considering graduate school in one of the Humanities disciplines.  

Ten City College Humanities and Arts students will spend eight weeks on the beautiful campus of Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. Stanford will match each CCNY student with a Stanford faculty member who will mentor the student's research project. Students will participate in a weekly seminar on the graduate application process and about research in the Humanities. A free Graduate Record Exam (GRE) preparation course will be provided for those interested.

The Colin Powell Program in Leadership and Public Service is an intensive, multifaceted program for undergraduate students. The experience is designed to prepare fellows for lives of public service and active citizenship, and enable them to apply their skills to issues of public concern. Students accepted into the Colin Powell Leadership Program acquire a broad knowledge of political institutions and the policy-making process, and learn about public service careers and opportunities. Fellows also explore leadership development and methods for creating social change.

Distinguished Administrator Award 

Outstanding operational excellence, professional leadership, and inclusive excell that help the Black Studies Department, The City College of New York meet its strategic initiatives and contribute to the attainment of University goals. 

Instructor of the Year Award

In recognition of exceptional teaching and distinguished contributions to undergraduate student learning through excellence in instruction and service to the Black Studies Department

Employee Service Award 

In recognition of your outstanding performance, commitment, and dedicated service to the Black Studies Department. 

Black Studies Service Award

Granted to any person or entity in recognition of their contributions, vision, innovation, commitment and dedicated service to the Black Studies Department, the City College of New York. 

Launched in August 2020 in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the Black Lives Matter protests, the Racial Justice Fellows Program is a joint initiative between the Colin Powell School and CCNY’s Black Studies Department, based in the Division of Humanities and the Arts. As it embarks upon its second year, the Racial Justice Fellows Program will continue to place students at the center of efforts to create systemic change, creating a pipeline for students to become deeply involved in antiracist movements. By supporting fellows financially and programmatically, we will cultivate a new generation of leaders who can help build a more just and equitable society.

Click here for more information.

The annual award for best essay on social justice carries a $300 prize.  It is presented to a deserving City College undergraduate, regardless of major, by the Black Studies Program in CCNY’s Division of Humanities and the Arts. 

Sample topics include police profiling of people of color, housing discrimination, segregated schools and economic disparities -- issues on which Belafonte has taken a strong stand.  Essays should be within a 2,500 word limit.

For information on the Harry Belafonte Award for Best Essay on Social Justice, please contact the Black Studies Department.