NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN ATHLETES
Established in 1989, the vision of The Alliance is to be the preeminent organization helping youth achieve academic excellence and reach their highest potential.
The mission of The Alliance is to uplift and mentor youth, focusing on African American males, through programs that prepare students for college; leveraging athletes as catalysts to inspire leadership, while recognizing and rewarding academic, athletic, and community excellence.
The Watkins Award has been presented annually to African American scholar-athletes since 1992. The Watkins Award is named for Franklin D. Watkins, the coach of championship football and basketball teams in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Previous award winners include Heisman Trophy Winner Jameis Winston of Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Rhodes Scholar Myron Rolle, Justin Blalock of the Atlanta Falcons, Gerald McCoy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arrelious Benn formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ted Ginn Jr of the Carolina Panthers, Lorenzo Alexander of the Oakland Raiders, Marcedes Lewis of Jacksonville Jaguars, Darnell Dinkins, formerly of the New Orleans Saints, LaVar Arrington, formerly of the Washington Redskins, Joseph Barksdale of the San Diego Chargers, Grant Irons and Ronald Curry formerly of the Oakland Raiders to name a few.
Support our efforts with the"Watkins Award" the premier award in the nation for African-American Male High School Scholar-Athletes and other programs We mentor and work with underprivileged youth, specifically scholar-athletes. We work with them to help them to achieve academic success, both in terms of stellar G.P.A.s and scores on the admissions test, S.A.T, and A.C.T. which are used for college admissions. Our goals are to help them to develop the necessary education skills to graduate from high school and to gain admission in college. We monitor and work with the students throughout their college years as well. We mentor and support them in academics as well as the social adjustments require to be successful in the college/university environment. We host a luncheon for the scholar-athletes and their families to uplift them, honor them and acknowledge their achievements academically through high school.
