At the start of every semester, BFSA hosts a welcome event for all Black freshmen and transfer students. This year's event was an overwhelming success as BFSA was able to connect and network with over 180 of our new students. We are anticipating and planning for connecting with a larger contingent of the class of 2023 next school year. 

BFSA held that Nyansapo Robing Ceremony on August 3rd, in the Ferguson Center Great Hall to celebrate all of the Summer 2018 graduates from the University of Alabama. A great time was had by all, with encouraging remarks given to the graduates by President Bell, Vice-President and Provost Whitaker, and Vice-President and Associate Provost for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, G. Christine Taylor. 

BFSA recently presented at the Alabama Association of Higher Education Diversity Officers annual conference which was held on November 9-10 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. We were represented by Marcus Cotton, Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Alabama School of Law and coordinator of the BFSA Scholars Program, along with Fred Horn and Thometta Cozart who are the BFSA graduate assistants for the 2017-18 school year.  The poster presentation was focused on the lessons we have learned the past few years running the BFSA Scholars Program. 

The 2017 BFSA calendar of events got off to a rousing start as we hosted our annual new faculty and staff reception. This event is designed to introduce the BFSA to all of the newly hired African-American faculty and staff members hired since the start of last school year. 

This year we were honored to co-sponsor this event along with Coach Avery Johnson, Head Coach of Alabama Men's Basketball. The event, which was held in the C. M. Newton room within Coleman Coliseum, was attended by various faculty, staff, and administrators from across the campus including President Stuart Bell. This event also provided an opportunity to formally introduce Dr. Christine Taylor, the inaugural Vice-President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the University of Alabama to the members of BFSA. 

On August 28th, BFSA hosted its annual Freshman Welcome Reception. Attendees where provided with an opportunity to meet and interact with members of BFSA and to network with freshmen within their college/discipline.  Presentations were made by various entities within the university as a means of providing incoming freshmen with knowledge of the services available to them. 

We are excited to announce the speakers for our Fall Research Forum. 

The theme of the forum will be Advancing Rural Health: An Interdisciplinary Conversation on Childhood Obesity, Water Safety, and Health Teleconsulting.

Thursday, September 21, 2017
11am - 2pm
Child Development Research Center
Classroom 33-A

Featured Visiting Scholars​​

Lunch will be Provided - RSVP before 09/15/17

Co-sponsored by the UA Provost's Office
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For more information or to RSVP, contact GA Thometta Mozart at  tycozart@crimson.ua.edu or call 205-348-5148.

​Learn more about BFSA at http://bfsa.ua.edu/

On February 3, 2017 BFSA along with other departments and organizations at The University of Alabama hosted the first Students of Color Leadership Summit in The Ferguson Student Center. The theme of the summit was, "Harnessing the Power of History & Finding Your Voice." The purpose of the Summit was to assemble and engage in meaningful, personal, and professional development while addressing the problems and concerns that affect students of color. Students were provided with leadership and identity development through concurrent sessions throughout the day. Dialogue was facilitated around knowledge and understanding of past events, social justice issues impacting the community today, and preparation for success in the future. An inclusive environment for shared values and learning moments was created during the panel and the three keynote speakers, Dr. Vincent Willis, Montre Carodine, and Dr. Rick Kittles. 

Avery Johnson, Head Coach of the Men's Basketball team at the University of Alabama took time out of his busy in-season schedule to host a lunch in the C. M. Newton room at Coleman Coliseum for members of the Black Scholars Program and BFSA Student Ambassadors. Coach Johnson talked to the students, faculty and staff present about the importance of having character, being competent in whatever career field you choose, surrounding yourself with the right people, and being confident in your calling.