The Association for the Study of African American Life and History held its 109th national conference last month at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh.
More than 600 historians, scholars, educators, artists and civic leaders were in attendance. The arts and social justice were this year’s themes.
Each year, the location of the convention rotates cities and coincides with the annual Black history theme. The last time the convention was held in Pittsburgh was September 2012.
Founded in September of 1915, the association is dedicated to the study and appreciation of Black history. The mission statement is “to promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture to the global community.”
Known as the “Father of Black History,” Carter Woodson founded the organization in 1915, along with William Hartgrove, George Hall, Alexander Jackson and James Stamps. At the time, it was known as the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History.
At this year’s convention, Monroeville resident Anthony Mitchell received the presidential award, which recognizes individuals who exemplify “selfless service” and have made outstanding contributions to the Black community, both and national.
Retiring in 2022, Mitchell is an emeritus associate teaching professor in African American studies. He’s held association memberships at varying times since 2010 and is a member of Dr. Edna B. McKenzie, an association branch in Pittsburgh.
Mitchell served on the local arrangements committee to support the preparation and facilitation of the 2024 conference.
Mitchell also moderated an academic roundtable discussion, “The Struggle for Educational Justice in the Pittsburgh Public Schools,” with educational activists Wanda Henderson, Tamanika Howze and Regina Holley, as well as James Stewart from the Equity Advisory Panel and Kymberly Cruz from Pittsburgh Public Schools.
“This award means a lot to me because I appreciate the importance of The Association for the Study of African American Life and History and Dr. Woodson’s contributions to researching and documenting the role of Africa in world history and the African American experience,” Mitchell said.
At Penn State, Mitchell completed his master’s thesis on Woodson and several unsung Black educational leaders from 1863-1963. His doctoral dissertation at Indiana University of Pennsylvania received the Dr. Carter G. Woodson Outstanding Graduate Student Award for contributing to multiculturalism.
“So, receiving this presidential award from The Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the oldest African American historical organization, is incredibly humbling and gratifying.”
Other presidential awardees included Nikki Taylor (professor of history, Howard University), Aaisha Haykal (manager, Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture, College of Charleston), Zebulon Miletsky (associate professor of Africana Studies, Stony Brook University) and Anita Sheperd (The Association for the Study of African American Life and History vice president of membership and minister, AME Church).