Each year, the African and African American Studies program at Washington University honors the best student writings and book collections focusing on African or African-American life, culture, or history. Awards are given to the best essays in humanities, politics, or social sciences. There is also a journalism award. Book collection awards honor the best of most interesting personal libraries amassed and owned by individual students. All of the awards include *cash prizes*. The competitions were established to encourage and recognize Washington University student excellence in writing and in the study and interpretation of African and African-American concerns.
