The Ella Baker Anti-Racism and Collective Liberation Award

The Ella Baker Anti-Racism and Collective Liberation Award is currently accepting nominations and applications. 

“In order for us as poor and oppressed people to become a part of a society that is meaningful, the system under which we now exist has to be radically changed. It means facing a system that does not lend itself to your needs and devising means by which you can change that system. That is easier said than done.” – Ella Baker

The Ella Baker Anti-Racism and Collective Liberation Award is an annual scholarship awarded to UAA students who are committed to the liberation of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and/or communities that practice minoritized religions. Through dedicated anti-racism and anti-oppression efforts, this individual works to build a more equitable and inclusive future for marginalized communities. They actively work toward social and racial justice on campus and/or in the community.

The identities of BIPOC include Black, African American, Indigenous, Alaska Native, Native American, Hispanic and Latine/x/a/o, Asian, Pacific Islander, multiracial, or mixed heritage. Minoritized religions include, but are not limited to, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism.

We welcome students who identify as BIPOC, students who practice a minoritized religion, and allies to apply. Please nominate yourself or a student you know who embodies the legacy of Ella Baker.

About Ella J. Baker:
Ella J. Baker (1903-1986) is known as the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement.” She spent the majority of her life working toward liberation for the Black community and raising the political consciousness of Americans. As a civil rights leader, Baker played a major role in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).

Baker spent the 1940s traveling through small towns and convincing Black citizens they were deserving of basic human rights. She worked toward peaceful mobilization and nonviolent protest. She helped local leaders build campaigns against lynching, for job training, and for equal pay for Black teachers. Baker inspired and recruited civil rights leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks. Baker’s legacy lives on: she co-founded an organization that raised money to fight Jim Crow Laws, helped organize the 1961 Freedom Rides, and aided in registering Black voters.

We honor Ella J. Baker and her impactful legacy by awarding UAA students who are committed to building positive change, authentic solidarity, and collective liberation among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and those who practice minoritized religions. Please nominate students or apply today!

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