On February 28, the Department of African American Studies hosted a ceremony and reception honoring the 2023 Black History in the Making award.

32 students from departments and units across VCU were selected for the award.

2023 marks the 40th anniversary of the Black History in the Making award, which was founded in 1983 by Daryl Dance, PhD, the distinguished scholar of African American and Caribbean literature who served as program coordinator during the 1983-84 academic year. Dr. Dance established the Black History in the Making Awards to recognize the achievements of African American students. Recipients are typically selected by their academic departments or other units that they are affiliated with.

Dr. Dance appeared via video conference to deliver a keynote address, in which she shared the story of her grandfather, Winston Bell. Bell, a student in the first class of what would become Virginia State University, travelled with fellow students to the Richmond Capitol in 1887 to appeal to the governor for the retention John Mercer Langston, the school's Black president. Dr. Dance noted that while the efforts of students like Bell are often forgotten, they are an important part of history. She concluded by calling on today's students to become "truth warriors" who challenge disinformation.

The ceremony also featured a performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" by Adia Shabazz.

For more information about the award and this year's recipients, see our Black History in the Making page.

2023 Recipients:

Niyah Ahmad 
Céline Aziza Kaldas Anderson
Ajana Dechelle Bradshaw
Kaija Bratcher
Derek Brown
Justin Cockrell
Jayla Davis
Arrington Evans
Kyree Fisher
Nyah Graham
Lisa Graves
Tahlia Hightower
Walter Jeffries
Sierra (Susu) Johnson
Raquel Jones
Oscar Kemp
Rachel Keys
Kayla Lundy
Raechel McDonald
Takeya McLaurin
Jessemia Meekins
Chimdindu Ohayagha
JaQue Patterson
Maya Perkins
Chelsea Philpot
Raven Porter
Faith Redd
Christine Singleton
Chastyn Smith
Brandon Tweedy
Te'ah Washington
Candace Wilkerson

(Attendees watch as Dr. Daryl Dance delivers a keynote address via video. Photo credit: LA Ricks)

(Adia Shabazz performs "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Photo credit: LA Ricks)