News and Events
Meet our newest faculty member
Dr. Michele Reid-Vazquez (B.A., Emory University, M.A., Ph.D. University of Texas at Austin) is an advanced Assistant Professor in the Department of Africana Studies (starting Spring 2013). Read more >
Nativity: A Christmas Gift
Dr. Yolanda Covington-Ward wins Prestigious and Competitive Fellowship!
Award Letter read:
We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected as an awardee in the Ford Foundation Fellowship 2012 postdoctoral competition. This fellowship is sponsored by the Ford Foundation and administered by the National Research Council of the National Academies. CONGRATULATIONS!
International Conference
ASWAD - AFRICAN LIBERATION & BLACK POWER
The Challenges of Diasporic Encounters Across Time, Space and Imagination. 6th Biennial Conference of ASWAD Nov. 3-6, 2011. Please click here for more information:
http://www.aswadiaspora.org/index.html
This conference was a huge success!
International Conference
Silent No More: Rape as a Weapon of Political Violence - This conference was a success!
Check out link for information: Silence No More
Welcome Dr. Michael Tillotson!
In August 2011, the Department welcomed Visiting Assistant Professor, Michael Tillotson. His newly released book, "Invisible Jim Crow: Contemporary Ideological Threats to the Internal Security of African Americans" has just been awarded the Cheikh Anta Diop International Best Book Award.
The Department of Africana Studies would like to invite the campus community to...
A lecture by Visiting Assistant Professor Dr. Michael Tillotson at The Center on Race and Social Problems of the School of Social Work to present his work titled: "Contemporary Ideological Threats to The Internal Security of African Americans"on November 3rd from 12-1:30 p.m. Lunch will be served
Dr. Joseph K. Adjaye enters retirement
In April, 2011, Dr. Joseph K. Adjaye retired from his position as a Full Professor of Africana Studies and as Director of the African Studies Program. Dr. Adjaye joined the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh in 1987, and chaired the Department of Africana Studies from 2000-2004. The Department of Africana Studies would like to thank him for his 24 years of service to the University of Pittsburgh.
Welcome Dr. Christel Temple!
Dr. Christel Temple has joined the Faculty of the Department of Africana Studies as a tenured Associate Professor. Coming from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Dr. Temple taught two classes for the department in the Spring Term: Introduction to Africana Studies and Africana World Literature. In Fall 2010 her article on "Sankofa Practice in the United States: A Modern History" appeared in The Journal of Black Studies (September 2010, Volume 41, Issue 1, pp. 127-150). Earlier in the year, her article on "Communicating Race and Culture in the Twenty-First Century: Discourse and the Post-Racial/Post-Cultural Challenge" appeared in The Journal of Multicultural Discourses--a London-based journal-- (March 2010, Volume 5, Issue 1, pp. 45-63).
Faculty Member wins Competitive Grant from Provost’s Office
Dr. Covington-Ward’s proposal entitled “Performance and Immigrant Identity Formation: The Grand March and the Liberian Diaspora: A Pilot Study” was chosen to be funded by the Central Research Development Fund for two years, from 2011-2013. This grant is an internal grant that is awarded through a competitive process, and is administered by the Office of Research and the University Research Council, under the Office of the Provost. Dr. Covington-Ward’s project will examine Liberian immigrant cultural identity formation in the Greater Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area. Congratulations!
Dr. Covington-Ward wins several awards
Dr. Covington-Ward was the recipient of several research awards in 2011. She received a Global Studies Research Grant for work on women in Kongo Independent Churches in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She also received a Third Term Faculty Research Stipend to aid in revising her book manuscript, tentatively titled, “Gesture and Power: Everyday Performances and Authority in the Congo.”
Two Faculty Members Recognized as 2011 Fab 40 Honorees
Both Dr. Yolanda Covington-Ward and Mr. Oronde Sharif were recognized by the New Pittsburgh-Courier as recipients of the Fab 40 award. This award is given to a select group of African Americans who are considered to be “the next generation of leaders” in the greater Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Both Covington-Ward and Sharif received their rewards at a special reception at the U.S. Steel Tower Building on April 29, 2011. Congratulations to the both of you! Check out news story here
Dr. Covington-Ward mentors students in Spring
Professor Covington-Ward was a faculty mentor to two first-year students through the First Experiences in Research Program this spring. The First Experiences in Research program provides an initial experience of engagement in authentic research, scholarship and creative work under the guidance of faculty mentorship for second-term freshmen. The two students, Katie Reding and Megan Willison, were great research assistants, conducting historical research in nineteenth century Liberian newspapers, using microfilm, drafting survey questions and recruitment flyers, and analyzing immigration statistics. The students jointly created a poster on “Performance and Immigrant Identity Formation: The Grand March and the Liberian Diaspora.”
2011 Scholarship to honor Vernell A. Lillie
A scholarship has been established in honor of Vernell A. Lillie, founder and director of the Kuntu Repertory Theatre and a faculty member in Pitt's Department of Africana Studies. Read more.
Educational Justice Project
Closing Racial Achievement Gaps
Led by Dr. Jerome Taylor. Learn more about this project.
African American Alumni From Pitt
The Africana Studies department (formerly Black Studies) is searching for African American Alumni from Pitt who majored in Black Studies (Africana Studies), were involved in the Kuntu Repertory Theatre and/or who were involved or had a part in the computer room takeover in January of 1969. Read more,
Work Behind the Scenes
Calling all persons interested in working behind the scenes with Kuntu Reportory Theater. Apply Now
