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The Association of Social and

Behavioral Scientists

Historical Sketch of the Association

The Association of Social and Behavioral Scientist was formed to provide African-American Scholars with opportunities to engage in the exchange of ideas, information, thought and theory. Since its inception the nation and the world have undergone tremendous changes and alterations. The Association of Social and Behavioral Scientists remains at the forefront of creative thought in the social and behavioral sciences.

The Association was founded in 1934 by the late Dr. Theophilus E. McKinney, Dean of Johnson C. Smith University, as the Association of Social Science Teachers. He was successful in bringing together African-American college and university faculty members who were actively engaged in teaching and utilizing social scientific knowledge. These scholars were concerned with improving the status of African-Americans in the nation.

The Association of Social and Behavioral Scientists sponsors an annual conference during the spring in March. The conference is designed to share research findings, curriculum revisions, and other concerns of its members and participants. During the annual conference, the organization presents several awards. They include the W. E. B. DuBois Award, the Theophilus E. McKinney Award for Undergraduate Student Research, the Marguertite Rogers Howie Distinguished Service Award, and the Charles U. Smith Junior Faculty Achievement Award.

The Association sponsors one major publication: the Journal of Social and Behavioral Sciences, which is published quarterly. An annual newsletter is also published. As a scholarly organization, ASBS continues to provide a forum for the exploration of pertinent issues related to minority communities in America.