JOIN US
The Manasota Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) proudly presents its inaugural Black History Month Scholarship Luncheon—a dynamic celebration of academic excellence, cultural heritage, and community empowerment.
Guests will enjoy a thought-provoking and uplifting afternoon featuring a powerful conversation with two distinguished scholars:
- Dr. Maurice Hobson, Professor of Africana Studies and Historian at Georgia State University
- Dr. Jim Stewart, Economist, Black History Scholar, and Past President of the Manasota ASALH
Centered on the inspiring theme, “An Unusual Emphasis on Scholarship: Carter G. Woodson, Omega Psi Phi, and the Power of Black History,” this event honors the legacy of Dr. Carter G. Woodson and the enduring impact of education in shaping our future.
Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the Manasota ASALH Scholarship Program, directly supporting students in Manatee and Sarasota counties as they pursue their academic dreams. Click here for tickets. Ticket sales end on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 12 noon.
Learn about becoming a valued sponsor.
To send us a check, please make it out to ASAHL Manasota and mail to: PO Box 2356, Sarasota FL, 34230.
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MEET OUR SPEAKERS
Dr. Maurice Hobson
Dr. Maurice Hobson is a Professor of Africana Studies and Historian at Georgia State University. He earned the Ph.D. degree in History, focusing on African American History and 20th Century U.S. History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research interests are grounded in the fields of African American history, 20th Century U.S. history, comparative labor, African studies, oral history and ethnography, urban and rural history, political economy, and popular cultural studies. He is the author of award-winning book titled The Legend of the Black Mecca: Politics and Class in the Making of Modern Atlanta and the lead historian for the forthcoming With Faith in God and Heart and Mind: A History of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, both with the University of North Carolina Press as well as a corpus of peer-reviewed journal articles.
Dr. Hobson engages the social sciences and has created a new paradigm called the Black New South that explores the experiences of black folk in the American South, with national and international implications, since WWII.
Dr. James B. Stewart
Dr. James B. Stewart is a Professor Emeritus at Penn State University. He previously served as Vice Provost for Educational Equity and Director of the Black Studies Program. As Vice Provost he was responsible for planning, developing, coordinating, articulating, and advocating the University’s goals, policies, and procedures pertaining to diversity, equity, and inclusion. He has served as a consultant for many universities and the Department of Defense. Stewart has authored, co-authored, edited or co-edited thirteen monographs, including Introduction to African American Studies, Transdisciplinary Approaches and Implications. Stewart has also published over 75 articles in Economics and Black Studies professional journals. He has served as President of three national professional organizations including the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Stewart is the past president of the Manasota Branch of ASALH and a board member of several Sarasota-area non-profit organizations.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
