October 27, 2009. CCNMTL received the 2009 Award for Innovative Use of Archives from the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York last Friday for its website, Mapping the African American Past (MAAP)—a unique learning environment created to enhance the study of significant sites and moments in the history of African Americans in New York from the early 17th-century through the recent past.

The Award for Innovative Use of Archives recognizes the use of archival material in a meaningful and creative way, making a significant contribution to a community or body of people, and demonstrating the relevance of archival materials to its subjects. Frank Moretti and Maurice Matiz, CCNMTL's directors, along with Center staff involved in the development of the site, accepted the award at a reception held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

MAAP is a public website enabling students, teachers, and visitors to browse a multitude of locations in New York and read encyclopedic profiles of historical people and events associated with these locations. The site is enhanced by selected film, music clips, and podcasts; photographs, documents, archival maps from Columbia University and New York Public Libraries; and commentary from Columbia faculty and other experts. The site, which also offers a mobile portal for smartphone users, was developed by CCNMTL in partnership with Curriculum Concepts International (CCI) and Teachers College and funded by the JPMorgan Chase Foundation.

Dr. Manning Marable, professor of history and political science and founding director of both Columbia's Institute for Research on African American Studies (IRAAS) and Center for Contemporary Black History (CCBH), conferred the award and spoke briefly about African American history and MAAP. "Mapping the African American Past helps teachers at all levels engage students in content through stories about building community, resisting slavery, and contributing to New York City development. It is a remarkable resource that turns teaching into an extraordinary adventure," said Dr. Marable during the presentation of the award.