The University of West Alabama’s Center for the Study of the Black Belt (CSBB) is now accepting nominations for the 2013 Black Belt Hall of Fame induction.

The mission of the Black Belt Hall of Fame is to recognize and honor those associated with the Black Belt who have had a positive impact on the region, the state, the nation, and the world through contributions in art, business, education, industry, medicine, politics, law and science. Those to be considered for induction may be living or deceased. Inductees must have either been born in the Black Belt, spent a significant amount of time in the Black Belt or had a significant impact on the Black Belt specifically.

“We were pleased to induct author Mary Thomas Ward Brown; educator and researcher, the late George Washington Carver; and musician, the late Willie Earl King in 2012,” said Valerie Burnes, Director of the CSBB. The three joined previous inductees, storyteller Kathryn Tucker Windham, educator William James Edwards and folksinger Vera Hall. “There are deserving individuals that have distinguished themselves as significant contributors to and supporters of the culture and people of the Black Belt region,” added Burnes. “We are excited to begin the process of accepting nominations for 2013 in order to recognize more outstanding individuals.”

The Black Belt Hall of Fame nomination form is available online at www.uwa.edu/bbhf2013.aspx. The deadline for nomination submissions is Friday, August 31, 2012. For more information, contact Valerie Burnes at 205-652-3829 or vburnes@uwa.edu. Submissions may also be mailed to the Center for the Study of the Black Belt, UWA Station 45, Livingston, AL, 35470.