Nasir Jones has racked up another honor, and it has nothing to do with being one of raps game's illest spitters.
The Queensbridge native was honored with the W.E.B. DuBois Medal during a ceremony at Harvard University on Wednesday (Sept. 30), according to the Associated Press.
Jones received the award for his involvement and contributions to the culture, human rights, and the arts central to the African and African-American community.
This year’s winners will gather Wednesday at Harvard for an awards ceremony and panel discussion. Ali, who is battling Parkinson’s disease, will appear via a video link.
The medal honors those who have made significant contributions to African and African-American history and culture, intercultural understanding and human rights.
Other 2015 recipients include Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children’s Defense Fund; Mellody Hobson, president of Ariel Investments and chairman of the board of Ariel Investment Trust; Charlayne Hunter-Gault, the first black woman to enroll in the University of Georgia; and artist Carrie Mae Weems.
DuBois was an acclaimed author, historian and civil rights activist.
Two years ago, Harvard established the Nasir Jones Fellowship which sought to uncover “projects from scholars and artists that build on the rich and complex hip-hop tradition.”
By Glenn Erby
