Speaker Series: OAH Distinguished Lecturer, Dr. Robin D. G. Kelley
February 13, 2025 | Lakireddy Grand Ballroom | 10:30 am
Dr. Kelley's speech is titled "The Responsibility of Black Studies in the Face of Fascism and Genocide". "Trump's election and the wave of attacks on virtually all critical race/ gender scholarship has put many of us in the academy on the defensive. Beyond the U.S., we are witnessing the ongoing imprisonment of intellectuals (Turkey, the Gulf States, India, etc.) and outright genocide in Palestine and Sudan. Black Studies has a long history of being "under attack" precisely because it emerged as an offensive against fascism. I will look at the radical turn in Black scholarship during the 1930s, as an anticolonial Black power and Black feminist assault in the 1950s-70s, against "friendly fascism" of neoliberalism in the 80s-90s, and the current authoritarian and reactionary turn. I will also argue that this insurgent, anti-fascist tendency in Black Studies must be understood at a global level. Recalling its insurgent history should remind us that Black Studies is potentially a transformative force to resist the neo-fascist turn, but it will require challenging our own established institutional ties." Dr. Kelley specializes in the history of social movements in the U.S., the African Diaspora and Africa; Black intellectuals; music; visual culture; contemporary urban studies; historiography; poverty studies and ethnography; and organized labor among other topics. Registration is open now, RSVP NOW.
This event is co-sponsored by: Organization of American Historians, UC Merced Center for Africana Studies, Sociology Department, the Department of Equity, Justice & Inclusive Excellence, The History and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies Department, Interdisciplinary Humanities, and a contribution from Black Research Excellence.
UC Merced Art: UpstART OKCELLO Concert
February 1, 2025 | Merced Theatre | 3:00 pm
The Center for Africana Studies is co-sponsoring the UC Merced Arts UpstART Concert featuring OkCello. The event will be hosted in downtown Merced at the Merced Theatre. Tickets available now, students are free, regular admission is $15.
Speaker Series: Dr. Alvarado
January 29, 2025 | COB2 290 | 10:30 am
The Center for Africana Studies is hosting a speaker series co-hosted by the Department of History and Critical Race & Ethnic Studies. Dr. Alvarado is President's and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow in African American and African Studies at the University of California, Davis. His wide-ranging research situates the event most commonly known as the Mau Mau Uprising in late-colonial Kenya within the broader history of decolonization in 20th century Africa. This talk presents an account of the role "myths of Mau Mau" played in pan-Africanist thought both within and far beyond the borders of the colony during this period. Join us for our first speaker series of the 2025 school year.
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Creative Story-Making Workshop
November 14, 2024 | COB2 290 | 12-2:00 pm
The Center for Africana Studies is hosting an interactive workshop focused on creative storytelling, facilitated by the esteemed Zimbabwean filmmaker, novelist, playwright, and social activist Tsitsi Dangarembga. Following a discussion regarding her creative process, workshop participants will undertake their own projects, receiving tailored feedback from Dangarembga and UC Merced faculty member Dr. Nicosia Shakes. This workshop is reserved for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Lunch will be provided. RSVP now.
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CAS Grant Recipient Showcase
October 17, 2024 | COB2 290 | 1-2:30 p.m.
The Center for Africana Studies provided travel grants to a few graduate students and one undergraduate to support their summer research. The grant recipients will present what their research is/was and how they used their CAS grants this past summer. This event provides insight into how the Center for Africana Studies supports UC Merced students and their research on Africa and the Diaspora. Please join us to learn more about conducting research and how CAS can support research.
Tsitsi Dangarembga
Monday's in October & November | COB2 390 | 1:30-2:30 p.m.
The Center for Africana Studies is honored to co-sponsor a Special Edition Book Club for Tsitsi Dangarembga's novel Nervous Conditions. The Department of Literatures, Languages, & Cultures has generously co-sponsored this event with us and has provided 20 copies of the novel. The first 20 people to register & attend will receive a free copy! Doctoral student Bethany L. Padron will lead these book club seminars for four weeks. We hope to warmly welcome Tsitsi Dangarembga to our campus in November by gathering over her work.
Open House
September 19, 2024 | Multicultural Center KL. 169 | 4-6 p.m.
The Center for Africana Studies welcomes our UC Merced family and Merced community members to join us at our open house. Delicious food will be provided, and guests will have the opportunity to meet both the co-directors. Join us and learn about future events and opportunities! Scan the QR code to register now!
Public Health Seminar
March 13, 2024 | COB2-290 | 3:00 p.m.
Dr. Brenda E. Stevenson Book Talk
February 23, 2024 | Conference Center 105 | 12:30 p.m.
Open Water: Afroaquatics and History
January 4–7, 2024
Faculty Author Series: Dr. Shake's New Book
December 6, 2023 | 11:00 a.m.
