MU’s Concerned Student 1950 to get NAACP award

The student group that led the race-related protests that toppled University of Missouri leaders in November is being honored by the NAACP with the Chairman’s Award at the organization’s 47th Image Awards.

Concerned Student 1950, a predominantly black group, orchestrated a series of protests against what they said is systemic oppression of minority groups on the Columbia campus. The protests called for the university to improve the racial climate on campus, to be more inclusive of minority students and to hire more African-American faculty.

The protests, including a student hunger strike and a boycott by the Mizzou football players, drew national attention and led to the resignation of UM System President Tim Wolfe and the reassignment of MU Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin.

The demonstrations by Concern Student 1950 inspired a national movement among students on college campuses across the county.

NAACP’s Chairman Award is given to individuals and organizations who were agents of change. Image Awards will be televised on Feb. 5.

This story was originally published January 28, 2016 at 8:42 AM with the headline "MU’s Concerned Student 1950 to get NAACP award."