This fellowship was established in 2007 in loving memory of James Haskins, a former University of Florida professor and founder of the African-American studies program, to support research and teaching by emerging and established scholars who seek opportunities to conduct research and collaborate with African American Studies faculty.

James was an award-winning writer of more than 160 books, including “The Cotton Club”, the inspiration for the 1984 movie of the same name, and was considered one of the leading authors for biographical works on black Americans for older children. He worked as a stock trader and at several colleges in New York and at Indiana University before moving to UF’s English department in 1977. He passed away in 200