The Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies and the Sankofa Prize Endowment Committee are pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the 2025-2026 Columbia - Barnard Spirit of 1968 Sankofa Prize. The prize was established by Columbia and Barnard alumni to celebrate students who had made lasting contributions to the struggle for social justice on campus and in Harlem during the 1968 student revolts, and continued to work for community empowerment throughout their lives.
The Sankofa Prize recognizes an undergraduate student registered at any school of Columbia University / Barnard College who has made enduring contributions to promoting social justice for people of African descent through civic engagement, activism, and community building on campus and beyond.
The Spirit of 1968 Sankofa Prize selection committee welcomes applications from students themselves and nominations from faculty, students, administrators, or staff of students who have demonstrated both a commitment to building empowering networks between the University and its communities and show promise for continuing that work after graduation.
The Sankofa Prize includes a mentoring commitment from alumni who were friends and comrades of student and community activist Zachary Husser CC’70 and a $2,500 prize award. The prize will be awarded to this year’s winner at the Department’s Sankofa Prize / Administrators and Faculty Dinner in April 2026.
An application or nomination must be supported by at least one (1) letter of recommendation. Applications/Nominations and recommendation letters must address the nominee’s community engagement and empowerment efforts. All materials must be submitted by March 6, 2026.
Application/Nomination Submission Deadline: Friday, March 6, 2026, by 5 p.m. EST.
Please submit applications/nominations here.
For any questions please write to [email protected].
