The UA Black Alumni Association and the Culverhouse Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) will host The Malone Awards: Celebrating Alumni Excellence & Supporting Student Success. Outstanding Alumni achievement and Corporate DEI efforts will be recognized, and proceeds will go to support scholarships and DEI student success initiatives.
Originally scheduled for November 2021, the Malone Alumni Awards will instead be hosted at Hewson Hall on the University of Alabama Campus, on April 9th, 2022 with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:00 p.m. The event is presented by PROJECTXYZ, Inc., and Acclinate. Student hosts will include Black Student Union members, The National Society of Black Engineers, the National Black MBA Association, and the Black Business Student Association.
Following the Malone Awards, there will be a concluding event called Houndstooth and Heels at Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center in downtown Tuscaloosa.
Vivian Malone-Jones became instantly known to the world when then-Governor of the State of Alabama, George Wallace, attempted to block her from enrolling at the University of Alabama. Despite a tumultuous start, Mrs. Malone-Jones became the first black graduate of the university in 1965, receiving her degree through the University of Alabama’s College of Commerce and Business Administration. Despite difficult years at Alabama and post-graduation, Mrs. Malone-Jones excelled in her career and remained an avid supporter of the University and the University community. It is natural we honor her in this way.
The idea for an awards program named in honor of, and inspired by, our trailblazing alumna has been a thought of many in the university family. However, in early 2021, the Awards began to take shape when the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion of the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business (as it is now known) approached the University of Alabama Black Alumni Association to make the thought a reality. It all spawned from a simple premise, “To honor those alums who have used what they have learned and acquired at the University of Alabama to excel in their chosen endeavors while furthering the advancement of the University”. And from that thought, The Malone-Jones Awards were born.
Those behind the Awards know that the University has a rich tradition of preparing individuals to lead and achieve in many arenas. It is our honor to recognize just some of those individuals with a presentation worthy enough to be associated with Mrs. Vivian Malone-Jones and The University of Alabama.
Honorees will be spotlighted in individual video tributes at the event and permanently listed on the Malone Awards website. Two tickets will be provided for each honoree, however, in light of COVID uncertainty, attendance is optional for honorees this year.
The Honorable Judge John England, Jr, Circuit Court Judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, and University of Alabama Board of Trustees member, holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Tuskegee University. He was among the first African Americans admitted to The University of Alabama School of Law, where he earned his law degree in 1974. A former Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, Judge England was elected to two terms on the Tuscaloosa City Council, serving as chairman of the Finance Committee and Community Development Committee. He has held leadership positions in a variety of local and state organizations and is the recipient of numerous awards.
Mr. Kerry Goode, former Alabama running back and 1983 SEC Freshman of the Year, gained 1,572 yards and scored 7 TDs in Tuscaloosa before heading to the NFL. During his professional career, he contributed to the success of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Miami Dolphins. After his time in the NFL, he returned to The University of Alabama, to complete his degree from the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration in 1991. In 2015, Mr. Goode was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig disease). In a true display of Courage, class, and strength, Mr. Goode has been a warrior ever since. An NFL player, coach, author, husband, advocate for ALS patients, believer, motivational speaker, and a true legend forged in Crimson. “For Bama’s Pluck-n-Grit have writ her name in Crimson Flame.”
Black Faculty and Staff Association members will form the selection committee for alumni awards.
Additional tables are not available, partly in consideration of potential COVID-19 seating adjustments. However, the other sponsorship benefits at each level are still available, and donations are still welcomed and appreciated.
Sherry Bellan | 205-348-9618 | srbellan@culverhouse.ua.edu
The Malone Jones Distinguished Alumni award is designed to recognize outstanding achievement, leadership, and service among Black Alumni from the University of Alabama, from any College, and at any degree level. This is a celebration of diversity, our way of acknowledging the pursuit of excellence, the positive reflection that our University makes on individuals, and the lasting impact that we can, in turn, make in on our communities and in society.
Honorees will be spotlighted in individual video tributes at the event and permanently listed on the Malone Awards website. Two tickets will be provided for each honoree, however, in light of COVID uncertainty, attendance is optional for honorees this year.
We are calling for nominations that reflect the positive traits we seek to honor. Successful nominations will outline or include:
Supporting materials may also be uploaded and considered (Resume, CV, bio, etc.) in PDF format.
In light of COVID-19 uncertainties, attendance is optional for honorees this year. Regardless of attendance, honorees will be spotlighted in individual video tributes and permanently listed on the Malone Awards website. Two tickets will be provided for each honoree who would like to attend.
With the event moved to April 9th, 2022, the deadline for nominations is now November 30th, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
The Malone Jones Alumni Awards recognize outstanding achievement, leadership, and service among Black Alumni from the University of Alabama, from any College, and at any degree level. This is a celebration of diversity, our way of acknowledging the pursuit of excellence, the positive reflection that our University makes on individuals, and the lasting impact that we can, in turn, make in our communities and on society.
The Distinguished Alumni Award is for alumni who were 40 or older on January 1st, 2021.
The Malone Jones Alumni Awards recognize outstanding achievement, leadership, and service among Black Alumni from the University of Alabama, from any College, and at any degree level. This is a celebration of diversity, our way of acknowledging the pursuit of excellence, the positive reflection that our University makes on individuals, and the lasting impact that we can, in turn, make in our communities and on society.
The Rising Tide Alumni Award is for alumni who were 39 or younger on January 1st, 2021.
The Malone Jones Alumni Awards recognize outstanding achievement, leadership, and service among Black Alumni from the University of Alabama, from any College, and at any degree level. This is a celebration of diversity, our way of acknowledging the pursuit of excellence, the positive reflection that our University makes on individuals, and the lasting impact that we can, in turn, make in our communities and on society.
The Outstanding Graduate Award is for any alum graduating in the 2020-2021 academic year.
Recognizing the achievements of Black alumni and students and corporate efforts to improve diversity and inclusivity practices is at the heart of the inaugural Malone Awards on November 5, 2021, hosted by The University of Alabama’s UA Black Alumni Association (UA BAA) and the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in UA’s Culverhouse College of Business. Student hosts will include members of the Black Student Union, the National Society of Black Engineers, the National Black MBA Association, and the Black Business Student Association.
Taking place on the UA campus in the soon-to-be completed Hewson Hall, The Malone Awards will recognize outstanding alumni who have made transformative impacts in their careers and communities, showcase efforts made by corporations and organizations to foster diversity, equity, and inclusivity, and highlight some of this year’s graduates who went above and beyond excellence on campus and are starting promising careers.
Proceeds from the event will support scholarships along with retention and success initiatives.
The Malone Awards are named in honor of the late Mrs. Vivian Malone-Jones, the first African-American graduate from The University of Alabama and a Culverhouse alumna.
“This event is a cornerstone in our effort to strengthen the connection between alumni and our students at The University of Alabama. In partnering with Culverhouse, the Board of UA BAA felt it most appropriate that the award be named for Mrs. Malone-Jones as the first African-American alumna”, said Stacey Hill, Immediate-Past President of UA BAA.
“We, in Culverhouse, understand the importance of alumni involvement in the success of the institution and the key role that African-American alumni engagement plays in our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts,” said James King, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at Culverhouse. “We are pleased to partner with UA BAA on this annual event that bears the name of one of Culverhouse’s most significant alums.”
This year’s event is presented by two companies headed by Culverhouse alums. PROJECT XYZ, Inc., where Larry Lewis is co-founder and president, and Acclinate, of which Del Smith is co-founder and CEO.
Among the awards and recognitions this year will be a Lifetime Achievement Award for The Honorable Judge John England (Class of 74) and the Crimson Flame Courage Award to Kerry Goode (Class of ‘91).
Please visit the Malone Awards website for tickets, additional sponsorship opportunities, award nomination information, and event details.
