Albert W. Black was a long-time faculty member in the Department of Sociology and retired as an Emeritus Principal Lecturer, the highest instructional rank at the University of Washington. Al was also a recipient of two of the university’s highest awards: the Distinguished Teaching Award, and the Outstanding Public Service Award and received an Outstanding Community Service Award from the Seattle Central Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Al Black Award honors a student who demonstrates commitment to community service and civic organizations that support disadvantaged communities.
The Department of Sociology is pleased to announce Aliya Adan as the recipient of the 2025 Albert W. Black Undergraduate Community Service Award
“‘Without community, there is no liberation.’ These words by Audre Lorde have guided the way I approach service, leadership, and scholarship,” says Aliya. As a first-generation Somali American born and raised in South Seattle, Aliya has witnessed firsthand the power of collective care and cultural connection in addressing systemic inequities. Throughout her undergraduate career as a Sociology major, she has remained committed to supporting disadvantaged communities.
In 2021, Aliya helped revive the Somali Student Association (SSA) after the pandemic halted student engagement. She began as a Community Relations Officer, rebuilding connections with students and community organizations. From 2022 to 2024, she served as President, during which time she worked to transform SSA into a bridge between the university and the broader Seattle Somali diaspora. Under her leadership, she partnered with the Somali Health Board—a nonprofit dedicated to advancing health equity in underserved communities. She also helped organize College Day, a mentorship event where UW students supported high school seniors with their college applications and personal statements. Aliya also help launch Career Night, a networking event where Somali professionals across disciplines shared guidance and inspiration with college students navigating their own career paths, and Somali Night which became a space to celebrate Somali culture, honor community leaders, and bring together generations of Somali Americans from across the region. These events were entirely volunteer-run and rooted in collective care and prioritized outreach to low-income students and first-generation families, recognizing the structural barriers they face in education, employment, and healthcare.
“My work with SSA and the Somali Health Board directly reflects my sociological interests in community-building, racial equity, and the importance of culturally responsive programming. It has also deepened my understanding of concepts I’ve studied in my Sociology coursework—such as social capital, collective efficacy, and institutional inequality—and shown me how theory translates into grassroots impact,” says Aliya.
In addition to the Albert Black Award, Aliya is also a 2025 Bonderman Fellow. Aliya Adan is a student whose values and accomplishments exemplify Al Black’s commitment to community service and the Department of Sociology congratulates her on her many achievements!