BACKGROUND

A Michigan-based congregation of 450 Catholic Sisters and more than 200 Associates, the Adrian Dominican Sisters are committed to acknowledge and repent of our complicity in the divisions prevalent in our church and our world, to act to dismantle unjust systems, and to build the beloved community in which everyone is cared for, absent of poverty, hunger, and hate. The intent in establishing this endowment in the name of Dr. M. Shawn Copeland, a former member of the Adrian Dominican Sisters and founding member of the National Black Sisters’ Conference, is to make reparation for our Congregation’s participation in racism and white supremacy and to advance racial equality and transformative justice in our world, honoring an outstanding Black Catholic theologian, scholar and author.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Dr. M. Shawn Copeland is Professor emerita of Systematic Theology, the Department of Theology and the Program in African and African Diaspora Studies at Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and serves as Theologian-in-Residence
at Saint Katharine Drexel Parish, Boston (Roxbury), Massachusetts. Professor Copeland is an internationally recognized Catholic theologian, scholar, and award-winning writer––the author and editor or co-editor of eight books, including Enfleshing Freedom: Body, Race, and Being (2010) which has hailed as a contemporary classic as well as 135 articles, book chapters, and essays on spirituality, theological anthropology, political theology, social suffering, gender, and race.

A former convener of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium (BCTS), a learned interdisciplinary society of Black Catholic scholars, Professor Copeland was the first African American and first African American woman to be elected president of the Catholic Theological Society of America (CTSA). She is the recipient of seven honorary degrees as well as several awards in recognition of her contributions to African American religious scholarship by the Black Religious Scholars Group of the American Academy of Religion as a ‘Womanist Legend’ (2012) and by the Black Religious Scholars Group of the American Academy of Religion with the Distinguished Scholar Award (2009). She is also recognized for her contributions to Catholic theology and to Catholic intellectual life, including the John Courtney Murray Award, presented by the Catholic Theological Society of America (2018); the Marianist Award presented by the University of Dayton (2017); and the Yves Congar Award for Excellence in Theology (2000) by Barry University. Professor Copeland has lectured extensively in colleges, universities, seminaries, and divinity schools in United States as well as in Belgium, Canada, France, Ireland,
Italy, Nigeria, Scotland, and South Africa.

PURPOSE

The Scholarship is intended to encourage undergraduate majors and graduate students who have demonstrated the capacity to achieve educational and professional goals, the motivation to achieve these goals and the initiative to seek opportunities to further their progress. The purpose of this fund is to support experiential learning opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students pursuing a major or advanced degree offered in the Department of African American and African Studies in the College of Arts & Letters. Up to $1,000.00 will be awarded per project.

ELIGIBILITY

AAAS majors and AAAS graduate students. Important note: Awarded funds will be distributed to the research account of the faculty member who signed on in support of the project.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Statement of proposed experiential learning opportunity that describes what you will do, who you will work with, when the opportunities take place, and why you want to have this experience (500-750 words)
2. Budget
3. Resume or CV

BACKGROUND

A Michigan-based congregation of 450 Catholic Sisters and more than 200 Associates, the Adrian Dominican Sisters are committed to acknowledge and repent of our complicity in the divisions prevalent in our church and our world, to act to dismantle unjust systems, and to build the beloved community in which everyone is cared for, absent of poverty,  hunger, and hate. The intent in establishing this endowment in the name of the National Black Sisters’ Conference is to make reparation for our Congregation’s participation in racism and white supremacy and to advance racial equality and transformative justice in our world. Two Adrian Dominican Sisters (“Donor”) – Sisters Jamie T. Phelps, OP, PhD, and Maria del Rey Plain, OP – are founding members of the National Black Sisters Conference (NBSC), which was established in August 1968 after the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the emergence of the Black Power movement. The National Black Sisters’ Conference is an inclusive Catholic organization of vowed Black Catholic women religious and associates from many congregations of religious across the United States: “As women religious and associates, we draw strength and courage from God, support one another in the faith, and hold our elders in high esteem. We study, speak and act on issues that impact the social, educational, economic, and religious milieu of the United States and the world community. We promote a positive self-image among ourselves, and all African Peoples. We believe that through the power of the Spirit working in and through us we can be witnesses of Jesus Christ in the communities where we live and serve. In covenant with God and with one another, as Black women religious and associates of the National Black Sisters’ Conference, we are willing to be risk takers; taking a stand and working for the liberation of Black people. Drawing strength and courage from God and one another, we choose to study, speak, and act on issues that impact Black people globally.”

PURPOSE 

The Scholarship is intended to encourage students who have demonstrated the capacity to achieve educational and professional goals, the motivation to achieve these goals and the initiative to seek opportunities to further their progress.

ELIGIBILITY 

Incoming and current freshmen and/or students in their sophomore year who declared a major offered within AAAS and are in good academic standing will be eligible for this award; preference will be given to students who are coming to MSU after being engaged in community and collective work such as Saving Our Lives Hear Our Truths or other community-based organization and/or collective that engages Black people and African American communities. Students may reapply for scholarships each year as long as the criteria is met. A scholarship of $1000.00 will be given to a freshman and sophomore recipient.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Statement of intellectual leadership that reflects on your participation in a community-based organization and/or collective and detailed request to further engagement with Black arts, scholarship, and/or activism through a proposed activity
2. Sample of your best work related to AAAS. Remember your best work:
   1. May include non-written materials
   2. Does not have to be created in an AAAS course. It can be anything related to the (inter)discipline of Black Studies/AAAS
3. Budget
4. Resume or CV

BACKGROUND

A Michigan-based congregation of 450 Catholic Sisters and more than 200 Associates, the Adrian Dominican Sisters are committed to acknowledge and repent of our complicity in the divisions prevalent in our church and our world, to act to dismantle unjust systems, and to build the beloved community in which everyone is cared for, absent of poverty, hunger, and hate. The intent in establishing this endowment in the name of the National Black Sisters’ Conference is to make reparation for our Congregation’s participation in racism and white supremacy and to advance racial equality and transformative justice in our world. Two Adrian Dominican Sisters (“Donor”) – Sisters Jamie T. Phelps, OP, PhD, and Maria del Rey Plain, OP – are founding members of the National Black Sisters’ Conference (NBSC), which was established in August 1968 after the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the emergence of the Black Power movement. The National Black Sisters’ Conference is an inclusive Catholic organization of vowed Black Catholic women religious and associates from many congregations of religious across the United States: “As women religious and associates, we draw strength and courage from God, support one another in the faith, and hold our elders in high esteem. We study, speak and act on issues that impact the social, educational, economic, and religious milieu of the United States and the world community. We promote a positive self-image among ourselves, and all African Peoples. We believe that through the power of the Spirit working in and through us we can be witnesses of Jesus Christ in the communities where we live and serve. In covenant with God and with one another, as Black women religious and associates of the National Black Sisters’ Conference, we are willing to be risk takers; taking a stand and working for the liberation of Black people. Drawing strength and courage from God and one another, we choose to study, speak, and act on issues that impact Black people globally.”

PURPOSE 

The Scholarship is intended to encourage students who have demonstrated the capacity to achieve educational and professional goals, the motivation to achieve these goals and the initiative to seek opportunities to further their progress.

ELIGIBILITY 

This scholarship is awarded to juniors and senior undergrad students who have declared a major offered in AAAS and are in good academic standing. Students may reapply for scholarships each year as long as the criteria is met. A scholarship of $1000.00 will be given to a junior and a senior recipient. Important note: A student can only have so much “gift aid” in their account and then can only have aid up to their cost of attendance for any given semester. Any aid that you award to a student will first go towards their bill and then if it exceeds the bill along with the other aid, they can receive a refund.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Statement of intellectual leadership featuring demonstrated accomplishment and request to further engage Black arts, scholarship, and/or activism through a proposed activity (400-500 words)
2. Sample of your best work related to AAAS. Remember, your best work:
   1. May include non-written materials.
   2. Does not have to be created in an AAAS course. It can be anything related to the (inter)discipline of Black Studies/AAAS
3. Budget
4. Resume or CV

BACKGROUND

A Michigan-based congregation of 450 Catholic Sisters and more than 200 Associates, the Adrian Dominican Sisters are committed to acknowledge and repent of our complicity in the divisions prevalent in our church and our world, to act to dismantle unjust systems, and to build the beloved community in which everyone is cared for, absent of poverty, hunger, and hate. The intent in establishing this endowment is to make reparation for our Congregation’s participation in racism and white supremacy and advance racial equality and transformative justice in our world. The Adrian Dominican Sisters belong to the worldwide Order of Preachers (O.P.) founded by St. Dominic in 1216 to share the truth of God’s goodness and the goodness of God’s creation. Known as “Dominicans,” our lives are shaped by the integration of study, prayer, ministry and community in a preaching mission centered on contemplation and engagement in the world. Dominican Sisters have been serving in healthcare and education in Michigan since the 1880s; the Adrian Congregation was founded in 1923. Adrian Dominican Sisters today still minister in education and healthcare, as well as a range of other fields, including theology, social work, immigration law, pastoral care, ecology, environmental justice, literacy, prison and hospital chaplaincy, canon law, and social justice advocacy, among other ministries in 22 states and in the Dominican Republic, Norway, and the Philippines. The Congregation’s Vision is “to seek truth, make peace, reverence life.”

PURPOSE 

AAAS majors and/or minors seeking to build community, create culture, cultivate a radical imagination, and engage in collective revolutionary knowledge production with AAAS and local communities. Awards up to $500 each will be awarded in the following three categories:

• Visionary leader, such as, but not limited to individuals with demonstrated community and public engagement
• Cultural advocate, such as individuals who demonstrate a visionary and creative approach to advocacy for Black people, Black communities, and Black study
• Artist-scholar, with demonstrated excellence in and/or passion for African American and African art, creative writing, music, dance, visual arts, multi-media projects, and/or theatre

ELIGIBILITY

AAAS majors and/or minors in good academic standing. Important note: A student can only have so much “gift aid” in their account and then can only have aid up to their cost of attendance for any given semester. Any aid that you award to a student will first go towards their bill and then if it exceeds the bill along with the other aid, they can receive a refund.

REQUIREMENTS 

1. Statement of proposed activity (500-750 words)
2. Budget
3. Project timeline
4. Resume or CV

BACKGROUND

A Michigan-based congregation of 450 Catholic Sisters and more than 200 Associates, the Adrian Dominican Sisters are committed to acknowledge and repent of our complicity in the divisions prevalent in our church and our world, to act to dismantle unjust systems, and to build the beloved community in which everyone is cared for, absent of poverty, hunger, and hate. The intent in establishing this endowment in the name of Dr. Geneva Smitherman, a University Distinguished Professor Emerita at Michigan State University, is to make reparation for our Congregation’s participation in racism and white supremacy and to advance racial equality and transformative justice in our world, honoring an outstanding scholar, and author.

Dr. Geneva Smitherman (aka “Dr. G”) holds a Ph.D. in English Language and Education from the University of Michigan and a B.A. and M.A., with specializations in English and Latin, from Wayne State University. Internationally renowned for her pioneering scholarship and social activism in raciolinguistics, Dr. G’s research and publications focus on African American language and literacy and linguistic justice for dispossessed communities in the global world. Currently, she serves on the Advisory Board of Planet Word Museum in Washington, D.C., she is an Advisory Editor for the Oxford Dictionary of African American English, and she was recently appointed to the Editorial Board of the Oxford Studies in Language and Race. 

Dr. Smitherman began her academic life’s work as a nineteen-year-old high school teacher of English and Latin in the Detroit Public Schools. She was in the forefront of the Conference on College Composition and Communication’s “Students’ Right To Their Own Language” movement and a member of the first faculty in Harvard University’s Department of “Afro- American Studies” (as it was known in 1969) where she created one of the first academic courses on “The Black Idiom” (as she named what in the 1960s was often referred to as “Negro Dialect”). Dr. G served as chief expert witness and advocate for the children in Martin Luther King Junior Schoolchildren v. Ann Arbor School District Board (popularly known as “The Black English Case”) and assembled a national team of linguists and educators to conduct language assessments of the children and testify at the trial, resulting in Judge Joiner’s 1979 ruling that it is not Black English which constitutes the language barrier preventing Black children from learning to read, but negative teacher attitudes toward the children’s language.

For over two decades, Dr. Smitherman has given lectures and conducted workshops for institutions in South Africa, among them, the Project for Alternative Education in South Africa (PRAESA), formerly based at the University of Cape Town, the University of Limpopo, and the University of the Witwatersrand. With late South African linguist, Dr. Neville Alexander, she established the non-profit Azania Foundation for Language Education, the international launch of which was postponed due to Dr. Alexander’s untimely demise. Dr. G’s major work in South Africa was the creation of a thirteen-year partnership between Michigan State University and the University of Bophuthatswana, a former South African “homeland” university, now reconstituted as Northwest University-Mafikeng (NWUM). The partnership included funding support from the Spencer Foundation for the establishment of a Research Institute for NWUM English faculty on the MSU campus.

Dr. Smitherman’s publications include over 130 essays. She is the author of eight books, including two classic books, she has co-authored two books, and she is the editor or co-editor of eight other books. Further, Dr. G. has received several awards and honors for her teaching, research and social justice work.

PURPOSE

Funds will be used to support student engagement opportunities such as but not limited to research projects, study away/abroad opportunities, and other endeavors that require faculty collaborating with students related to their educational pursuits. Preference will be given to student-generated and student-lead proposals. All proposals will need an AAAS faculty member to assist/facilitate as needed. Faculty must have an appointment in the Department of African American and African Studies. Award funds will be distributed to the AAAS faculty member’s account.

ELIGIBILITY

AAAS majors, minors & AAAS faculty. It’s a collaborative effort. Important note: Awarded funds will be distributed to the research account of the faculty member who signed on in support of the project.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Statement of proposed activity co-authored and co-signed by AAAS major/minor and AAAS faculty (500-750 words)
2. Budget
3. Resume or CV

BACKGROUND

A Michigan-based congregation of 450 Catholic Sisters and more than 200 Associates, the Adrian Dominican Sisters are committed to acknowledge and repent of our complicity in the divisions prevalent in our church and our world, to act to dismantle unjust systems, and to build the beloved community in which everyone is cared for, absent of poverty, hunger, and hate. The intent in establishing this student needs endowment in the name of Servant of God Mary Lange, OSP, is to make reparation for our Congregation’s participation in racism and white supremacy and to advance racial equality and transformative justice in our world, honoring the loving, generous, and courageous founder of the nation’s first congregation of Catholic women of African descent in 1829 in Baltimore, Maryland, when it was an enslaving state. Her cause for canonization is under consideration in Rome.

We do not know much about the early years of Mother Mary Lange, the foundress of the Oblate Sisters of Providence. She was born Elizabeth Lange around 1794 in Santiago de Cuba, where she lived in a primarily French speaking community. She received an excellent education and in the early 1800s Elizabeth left Cuba and settled in the United States. By 1813, Providence directed her to Baltimore, Maryland, where a large community of French speaking Catholics from Haiti was established. Elizabeth came to Baltimore as a courageous, loving, and deeply spiritual woman. She was a strong, independent thinker and doer. As a well- educated individual, it did not take Elizabeth long to recognize that the children of her fellow immigrants needed an education. There was no free public education for African American children in Maryland until 1868. She responded to that need by opening a school in her home in the Fells Point area of the city for the children. She and her friend, Marie Magdaleine Balas (later Sister Frances, OSP), operated the school.

Providence intervened through the person of Reverend James Hector Joubert, SS, who was encouraged by James Whitfield, Archbishop of Baltimore, and presented Elizabeth Lange with the idea to found a religious congregation for the education of African American girls. Father Joubert would provide direction, solicit financial assistance, and encourage other “women of colour” to become members of this, the first congregation of African American women religious in the history of the Catholic Church.

Elizabeth joyfully accepted Father Joubert’s idea. She no longer needed to keep locked up the deepest desire of her heart. For years she felt God’s call to consecrate herself and her works entirely to God. How was this to be? At the time Black men and women could not aspire to religious life. But now God was providing a way! On July 2, 1829, Elizabeth and three other women professed their vows and became the Oblate Sisters of Providence. Elizabeth, foundress and first superior general of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, took the religious name of Mary.  She was superior general from 1829 to 1832, and from 1835 to 1841. This congregation would educate and evangelize African Americans. Yet they would always be open to meeting the needs of the times. Thus, the Oblate Sisters educated youth and provided a home for orphans. They nursed the terminally ill during the cholera epidemic of 1832, sheltered the elderly, and even served as domestics at Saint Mary’s Seminary.

Mother Mary’s early life prepared her well for the turbulence that followed the death of Father Joubert in 1843. There was a sense of abandonment at the dwindling number of pupils and defections of her closest companions and co-workers. Yet through it all Mother Lange never lost faith in Providence. Mary Lange practiced faith to an extraordinary degree. In fact, it was her deep faith which enabled her to persevere against all odds. To her Black brothers and sisters, she gave herself and her material possessions until she was empty of all but Jesus, whom she shared generously with all by witnessing to His teaching. In close union with Him, she lived through disappointment and opposition until God called her home, February 3, 1882, at Saint Frances Convent in Baltimore, Maryland. The Oblate Sisters of Providence still run St. Frances Academy, which serves as an agent of positive change in inner city Baltimore and, founded in 1828, is the oldest continuously operating Black Catholic school in the United States.

PURPOSE

Graduate and undergraduate students who are pursuing a degree offered in AAAS who need assistance with unexpected, unforeseeable, or unavoidable emergencies or cost of attendance needs shall be considered. Emergency situations may include, but are not limited to, accidents, illnesses, death of a family member, fire damage, or need for temporary housing, along with other needs that may impair a student to continue their academic work in AAAS and MSU. You may receive a call to seek further clarification regarding rationale. The amount of the award depends on the funds available.

ELIGIBILITY

Graduate and undergraduate students pursuing a major or advanced degree offered in the Department of African American and African Studies in the College of Arts & Letters. Important note: A student can only have so much “gift aid” in their account and then can only have aid up to their cost of attendance for any given semester. Any aid that you award to a student will first go towards their bill and then if it exceeds the bill along with the other aid, they can receive a refund.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Request and rationale (250-500 words)
2. Requested amount
3. Resume or CV

APPLY