The Association of Black Sociologists (ABS) is an American learned society dedicated to the advancement of scholarship by African American sociologists. It is based in Chicago, Illinois.[1] Its official journal is Issues in Race & Society, which it publishes in a partnership with Vanderbilt University's Peabody College.[2] The association was founded in 1970. Today, it is led by an Executive Committee with multiple roles that meets once a year.
History
edit| Formation | 1970 |
|---|---|
| Founded at | Washington, D. C. |
| Type | Learned society |
| Purpose | Scholarship, advocacy |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois |
Executive Officer | Loren Henderson |
President | Derrick R. Brooms |
Vice President | Nishaun Battle |
Immediate Past President | Andrea S. Boyles |
Key people | James E. Blackwell (first president) |
Parent organization | American Sociological Association |
| Website | associationofblacksociologists |
Formerly called | Caucus of Black Sociologists |
The history of the Association of Black Sociologists began in 1968[3], when a group of American sociologists met to encourage the American Sociological Association (ASA) to increase the participation of black Americans in their ranks.[3] It was officially established in 1970 as the Caucus of Black Sociologists (CBS) at that year's ASA meeting in Washington, D.C.[4] The CBS was influenced by both the women's liberation movement and opposition to the Vietnam War.[5] In 1976, the CBS was incorporated as an independent organization, the Association of Black Sociologists. As a result, it ceased to be a caucus of the ASA.[6]
At the time of its founding, James E. Blackwell of the University of Massachusetts stood as the first president. He organized the group along with Jacquelyne J. Jackson of Duke University, James E. Conyers of Indiana State University, and Joseph W. Scott of the University of Notre Dame.[3]
Membership
editWhen it was founded in 1970, the ABS (then known as the CBS) had 76 members,[3] a number which had grown to 88 by 1979.[7]
Members are led by an Executive Committee of 10 people.[8]This committee includes an Association President, the Association President-Elect, a Treasurer, The Immediate Past President, and an Executive Officer. Besides these roles, the committee is also composed of a Membership Chair, a Communications Chair, three Elected-at-Large members, an Editor of the ABS official journal, a Secretary, and a Newsletter Editor. This committee serves to create policies and lead the association.
Currently, The Executive Committee[9] includes Kiyona Brewster of Centre College, George L. Wimberly of the American Educational Research Association, Mary Pattillo of Northwestern University, Korey Tillman of the University of New Mexico, Quinesha Bentley of the University of Illinois, Regina Dixon-Reeves of the University of San Diego, and Michael Royster of Prairie View A&M University. Loren Henderson of the University of Maryland holds the Executive Officer, Derrick R. Brooms of Morehouse College holds the President position, and Nishaun Battle holds the Vise President position. Andrea S. Boyles of Tulane University is the Immediate Past President.
Group Meetings
editThe Association of Black Sociologists holds a national convention every year. [10]
The Executive Committee decides the time, place, and how the convention is run. At least one official meeting is held during the convention, where the National President and the Treasurer give reports. The Executive Committee also meets at least once a year. Members can send resolutions by email at least 30 days before the convention. All meetings follow Robert's Rules of Order. If 10% or more of Regular and Life Members support a proposal, it can become a referendum. The Executive Committee will then send it to all members for a vote, following the rules for changing the bylaws.[11]
The 55th Annual Conference of the Association of Black Sociologists will be held in Memphis, Tennessee, from October 9 to 11, 2025.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Contact". Association of Black Sociologists. Retrieved 2018-07-04.
- ^ "About Race & Society". Issues in Race & Society. 2015-05-17. Retrieved 2018-08-16.
- ^ a b c d Mjagkij, Nina (2013-05-13). Organizing Black America. Routledge. p. 66. ISBN 978-1135581237.
- ^ Wright, Earl (November–December 2009). "The Significance of the Cox-Johnson-Frazier Award". Footnotes. American Sociological Association. Retrieved 2018-07-04.
- ^ Turner, Bryan S. (2017-12-04). "Caucus of Black Sociologists". The Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Social Theory. The Wiley‐Blackwell Encyclopedia of Social Theory. Oxford, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. p. 1. doi:10.1002/9781118430873.est0043. ISBN 9781118430866.
- ^ Bell, Joyce M. (2014-06-17). The Black Power Movement and American Social Work. Columbia University Press. p. 58. ISBN 9780231162609.
- ^ West, Hollie I. (1979-01-01). "Getting Ahead". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2018-07-04.
- ^ Dickerson, Bette J. (2005-01-01), ""Blooming in the Noise of the Whirlwind": From Caucus of Black Sociologists to the Association of Black Sociologists", Diverse Histories of American Sociology, BRILL, pp. 207–228, ISBN 978-90-474-0741-6, retrieved 2025-04-13
- ^ "Home". The Association of Black Sociologists. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ a b "Annual Conference". The Association of Black Sociologists. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ^ Dickerson, Bette J. (2005-01-01), ""Blooming in the Noise of the Whirlwind": From Caucus of Black Sociologists to the Association of Black Sociologists", Diverse Histories of American Sociology, BRILL, pp. 207–228, ISBN 978-90-474-0741-6, retrieved 2025-04-16