About Us
Throughout human history, the story of civilization has been shaped by extraordinary individuals whose courage, intellect, creativity, and compassion have moved humanity forward. Yet many of these contributions, particularly those emerging from the global African Diaspora, have too often been overlooked, underrecognized, or insufficiently celebrated within the broader narrative of world achievement.
Across continents and centuries, people of African descent have shaped culture, advanced science, defended justice, and elevated the human spirit. Their contributions are visible in music, literature, scholarship, medicine, governance, innovation, humanitarian work, and the pursuit of freedom itself. These achievements have influenced not only the communities from which they emerged, but the entire global community.
The story of the African Diaspora is one of extraordinary resilience.
It is a story of people who endured unimaginable hardship, yet transformed adversity into brilliance. It is a story of intellect flourishing under constraint, creativity emerging from struggle, and leadership rising in the face of profound injustice. From this history of pressure emerged individuals whose influence has changed the trajectory of nations and inspired generations around the world.
Like diamonds formed deep within the earth under immense pressure, these individuals represent a brilliance that cannot be diminished by the circumstances from which it arose.
It is this truth that inspired the creation of the International Black Humanities Awards — “Diamonds In The Diaspora.”
The IBHA was conceived as a global institution dedicated to recognizing, honoring, and preserving the legacy of those whose work uplifts humanity and whose lives demonstrate the highest ideals of service, excellence, and leadership.
The purpose of this institution is not merely to celebrate celebrity or achievement in isolation. Its purpose is far greater.
The IBHA exists to affirm that humanitarian leadership, intellectual brilliance, artistic genius, and moral courage emerging from the African Diaspora deserve a permanent place within the global framework of recognition and remembrance.
Through its awards, the institution honors individuals whose work reflects the values embodied by historic figures whose names define the categories themselves—leaders such as Frederick Douglass, Nelson Mandela, Toni Morrison, Katherine Johnson, and many others whose lives stand as pillars of human progress.
Each award therefore serves not only as recognition of contemporary excellence, but as a bridge between generations. In honoring today’s changemakers, the institution also preserves the memory of those whose shoulders made such achievements possible.
The IBHA was also created with a deeper responsibility.
Recognition alone is not sufficient. True institutional legacy requires that celebration be paired with opportunity.
For this reason, the International Black Humanities Awards are supported by the IBHA Global Foundation, an initiative dedicated to investing in future leaders across the global African Diaspora. Through scholarships, humanitarian grants, educational partnerships, and leadership fellowships, the Foundation seeks to nurture the next generation of thinkers, artists, innovators, and humanitarians.
In doing so, the institution creates a continuous cycle: honoring those who have shaped history while empowering those who will shape the future.
The IBHA is governed by the IBHA Global Academy, an independent body of scholars, cultural leaders, journalists, artists, and humanitarian professionals drawn from across the international community. This structure ensures that the awards remain credible, transparent, and globally representative.
Together, the Academy and Foundation transform the IBHA into more than an awards ceremony. They establish it as a permanent institution committed to cultural preservation, intellectual advancement, and humanitarian progress.
The annual IBHA ceremony itself will serve as a global gathering point—a moment when the world pauses to recognize individuals whose lives embody the highest ideals of courage, compassion, creativity, and service.
It is intended to be a night that inspires.
A night that educates.
A night that reminds the world that the pursuit of human dignity, justice, knowledge, and beauty transcends borders and generations.
Above all, the International Black Humanities Awards stand as a declaration that the brilliance of the Diaspora is not merely a historical fact—it is a living force shaping the future of humanity.
Every honoree, every scholar, every humanitarian supported by this institution represents another facet of a global diamond whose light continues to grow brighter with each generation.
The creation of the IBHA is therefore not simply the founding of an awards program.
It is the founding of a legacy.
A legacy dedicated to ensuring that the stories, achievements, and humanitarian contributions of people across the African Diaspora are preserved, celebrated, and passed forward to inspire the world.
Because when humanity recognizes the brilliance within all its people, the future itself becomes brighter.
And the diamonds within the Diaspora continue to shine.
Perry DeCosta
President & CEO
IBHA