Contribute to the Student support fund >>

Three Students of African descent pose while wearing brightly colored clothing and scarvesThe W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies was founded in 1970 during the era when activists sought revolutionary change in the United States. UMass Amherst was among the first and the few campuses to establish an autonomous department that focused on the study of the Black World. This year as we mark fifty years since the founding of the Du Bois Department, many people are again seeking equal justice and fighting anti-Blackness during challenging battles that occur alongside the global COVID-19 pandemic. These extraordinary conditions have compounded students’ already pressing needs.

During our 50th Anniversary,  the Du Bois Department’s alumn and friends are initiating a fund to support undergraduate majors, minors, and graduate students in the department. This year’s campaign request is $50 for 50 years. We, however, encourage contributions in any amount.

For many students, the cost to study and live while pursuing a degree exceeds their resources, so the goal of the fund is to encourage retention, assist with enhanced educational experiences, and support students toward the successful completion of their degrees. The support would include:

  • book grants,
  • study abroad/travel for educational enhancement,
  • conference travel,
  • need-based and merit-based tuition support,
  • temporary security (e.g. board, personal and pantry supplies, and so forth; students may receive security support only twice),
  • application and exam fees for postgraduate education,
  • summer funding,
  • and student programming grants.

This fund drive also will accept direct donations to the Chester Davis Undergraduate Fund for need-based support. You may indicate whether you would like your support to go entirely to the Chester Davis Fund or whether you would like to divide your contribution between the two funds.

Black Studies is as important as it has ever been as the current movements for an equitable society make clear (and as we have always known). With the support of the Du Bois Department’s alumn, friends, and faculty, the students in the W. E. B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies at UMass Amherst can continue to succeed into the next fifty years and more.

You can make recurring installment donations, and all contributions are tax deductible by visiting our donation page.

Thank you for your support of this initiative.