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Samuel Z. Westerfield

The Samuel Z. Westerfield Award was established by the National Economic Association in 1973 when it was awarded posthumously to American Ambassador to Liberia, Samuel Zazu Westerfield, Jr – an outstanding teacher and university administrator, a dedicated official in government service, a talented international diplomat, and a successful and avid builder of institutions dedicated to economic development and the appreciation of the Black experience.

The award is intended to recognize Black economists whose professional activities demonstrate a superlative contribution to the goals of the National Economic Association: To promote the training of Black economists; to encourage the dissemination of information and ideas concerning the economics of the Black experience in the United States and abroad; and to promote the recognition and understanding of alternative perspectives on the Black economic experience. Accordingly, the Westerfield Award recognizes contributions in scholarship, university teaching and community service, and institution building. It is not bestowed annually, but only when an economist’s work and contribution to these goals are clearly marked by singular distinction consistent with the highest standards of excellence.

2024 Samuel Z. Westerfield Award Recipient

Patrick Mason

Professor Mason is Chair and professor of economics at University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His primary areas of interest include labor, political economy, development, education, social identity, and crime. He is particularly interested in racial inequality, educational achievement, income distribution, unemployment, economics of identity (race and religion), family environment and socioeconomic wellbeing, and transitions in family structure and public policy, racial profiling, computerization and employment, and innovation and development in Caribbean economies. In addition to membership in the America Economic Association and the National Economic Association, Professor Mason is also the past Chairman of the Board of Directors for Partners for Dignity & Rights (formerly, the National Economic & Social Rights Initiative (NESRI)); and, a former member of the Board of Directors for Fair Foods Standards Council (FFSC). Professor Mason is general editor of the International Encyclopedia of Race and Racism, 2nd Edition, Macmillan Reference USA (February 2013) and author of The economics of structural racism, Cambridge University Press (forthcoming). He has authored nearly 100 journal articles, book chapters, books, and other professional publications. 

Dr. Mason’s previous academic appointments include Florida State University, University of Notre Dame, Wayne State University, University of California – Riverside, University of Michigan – Flint, Tuskegee University, and an adjunct appointment at Atlanta University. Professor Mason’s professional service activities include: Program Director, AEA Committee on the Status of Minority Groups in the Economics Profession (CSMGEP) Mentoring Program (August, 2009 – August, 2013); Mentor, Diversity Initiative for Tenure in Economics (DITE, 2009 – 2010); Chair, CSMGEP, American Economic Association, 2002 – 2004; Member, CSMGEP, American Economic Association, 1991 – 2001; President, National Economic Association, 2002; Moderator and Founder, National Economic Association Listserv, November 6, 1996 – present; Moderator and Founder, American Society of Hispanic Economics Listserv (2002 – present).
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