University of Kansas - "Celebrating 50 Years of Africana Studies: Reckoning the Past, Present, and Diasporic Futures" [April 22 & 23]

Shawn Leigh Alexander Discussion

Join the Department of African & African-American Studies on April 22 & 23, as they celebrate 50 years of Black Studies at the University, & in the state of Kansas. (Zoom RSVP Links Here  <https://afs.ku.edu/events-0> )

 

Day One - Thursday, April 22, 2021

6:30 p.m. [CST] Welcoming & Opening Remarks - Peter Ojiambo & Katie Rhine



 

7:00-8:15 AAAS Chairpersons SpeakCommentators: Jacob Gordon, John Janzen, Peter Ukpokodu, & Shawn Leigh Alexander (Former chairs Arthur Drayton, Clarence Lang, and Cécile Accilien are unable to attend)

Moderator: Dorthy Pennington
 

 

Day Two - Friday, April 23, 2021

9:45 a.m. [CST] Welcoming - James Yékú & Dorothy Hines



 

10:00 – 11:30 “Tilling the Soil” – Former KU Student ActivistsCommentators: Darryl Bright, Walter Bgoya, Alferdteen Harrison, Linda Loubert, John Spearman, Jr.& Brenda Vann

Moderator: Shawn Leigh Alexander



 

11:45 – 1:30 - Black Struggle and Black Study from ‘More Relevant Education’ to Black Liberation

Keynote Address: Charisse Burden-Stelly

Moderator & Respondents: Amal El Haimeur, Nicole Hodges-Persley & Abel Chikanda



 

1:45 – 2:30 - Art and Activism: 50 Years of Africana Studies at KU

Commentators: Tyler Allen, Jenny Welden, Angela Watts, Cassandra Mesick Braun

Moderator: Jessica Gerschultz



 

2:45 – 3:30 What AAAS Meant and Means to Me

Commentators: Maria Beg, Azja Butler, Derrais Carter, Jacoby Hawkins, Owen MacDonald, & Niya McAdoo.

Moderator: Tony Bolden



 

3:30-3:45 Closing Remarks - Elizabeth MacGonagle & Randal Jelks



 

Over the course of the two days there will be language skits between each session, highlighting our African & African Diasporic Language program. Coordinated by Peter Ojiambo, Amal El Haimeur, & Brenda Wawire

 

https://news.ku.edu/2021/04/15/department-african-african-american-studies-celebrating-50th-anniversary

https://lawrencekstimes.com/2021/04/15/ku-aaas-50th/