Past Events

Explore the opportunity to study abroad this summer in Senegal! Join us to discover more about delving into the intersection of religion, politics, and culture. Gain valuable insights into this enriching experience.

Speaker: Dr. John Mundell

As internship application season approaches, join AFAS and the Center for Career Engagement, to enhance your resume, gain valuable interview tips, and discover effective strategies for finding internships.

A free screening of the short film, Eliza, telling the story of Eliza Rone, whose family was enslaved by Robert Campbell, a member of Washington University's Board of Trustees, and whose sons attended WashU. The screening will be followed by a discussion with the film co-director Delisa Richardson, cast members, and Campbell House Museum' director about the role of film in reparative processes.

The African & African Studies Department will be joining the Alpha Omega City-Wide Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated during their "This Little Light of Mine" Political Art Event. During this event the voices of political artists who aim to inspire their communities and create fervent change will be elevated.

"Washington University and the Saint Louis County Library are partnering for a Black History Month event featuring Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, the award-winning author of "Chain Gang All-Stars." Join us for an opportunity to hear about his amazing journey, engage in a discussion about his acclaimed book, and have your copy signed. Don't miss the chance to ask questions and be part of this enriching experience."

Join the Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity & Equity and Heather McGhee for an informative conversation surrounding McGhee's book.

The Washington University community is warmly invited to join us for the Black History Month kick-off event on February 1st, 2024. This gathering offers students a unique opportunity to celebrate the rich history, vibrant culture, and enduring heritage of black Americans. This event is open to everyone!

Join Dr. Wilmetta Toliver-Diallo, Founder and Coordinator of the Washington University African Film Festival, for an engaging conversation about the significance of African films. The event will be followed by a Q&A session. This event is free and open to the public. We look forward to seeing you there!

Join the African and African American Studies department for a complimentary dinner and tickets to the Black Anthology show, "Pressed." Limited spots are available, so be sure to RSVP to secure your spot and join us for this special event.

Join the African & African American Studies Department as we celebrate our department throughout the entire week. Visit our Instagram page to engage with us every day. Instagram: wustl_afas

Join AFAS professor, Dr. Raven Maragh-Lloyd, as the distinguished speaker for the Gephardt Civic Café Series.

Join the African Student Association for a special talk featuring the award-winning author, Nnedi Okorafor.

Drop in for a collaborative digital transcribe-a-thon in celebration of Frederick Douglass’s birthday. We will be transcribing the correspondence of Frederick Douglass, noted abolitionist, orator, and U.S. Ambassador to Haiti. Together with Douglass Day events across the country, we will attempt to transcribe all 8,731 pages in one day! We encourage you to bring a laptop or tablet; some computers will be available. A selection of Haitian dishes will be served for lunch, refreshments, and birthday cake will be provided.

Take a moment to unwind while learning about the history of Black people and jazz music. Journals will be passed out during the event! Please RSVP so we can provide enough supplies!

Join us on a remarkable journey through Black history and culture with the Homage Exhibit. Each original artifact represents an icon, cultural phenomenon, or pivotal historical moment and accompanies works created by artists and creatives. Stop in to Holmes Lounge at anytime between 12:00pm - 6:00pm and view the exhibit at your own pace.

In celebration of Washington University Libraries’ recent acquisition of a first British edition of Narrative of William W. Brown, an American slave, written by himself, Gregory Carr, Assistant Professor of Theater at Harris-Stowe State University, will lecture on Brown’s literary works. In addition to the lecture, the first edition and related materials from the Julian Edison Department of Special Collections will be on display before and after the lecture. Attendees are also encouraged to visit the Slavery in St. Louis traveling exhibition on view in Olin Library. Refreshments will be served after the lecture. Recommended for ages high school and up.

Come support AFAS professor, Dr. Raven Lloyd, as she introduces her first published book, "Black Networked Resistance".

This exhibit focuses on members of the "Divine 9" who helped create a culture of change and resistance that impacted the Civil Rights Movement in America. Through original artifact, participants discover how the involvement of these students led to tangible social change.

Join AFAS Professor, Dr. El Hadji Diallo, as he explores how Islam has spread throughout Africa and the relationship between Black history and Islam.

An award-winning essayist, author, and American culture critic, Gerald Early is the Merle Kling Professor of Modern Letters in the African and African American Studies Department and executive editor of WashU's interdisciplinary journal The Common Reader.

Join Bronwyn Nichols Lodato, assistant professor in the African and African American Studies department, for a talk entitled "And You Are...? Measuring Blackness and Black Identity in Federal Statistical Research". 3.21.24 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM Hillman 60

The African & African American Studies Department's Intellectual Life committee is hosting another insightful roundtable with distinguished individuals, discussing the impact of sex on the black family. RSVP to join the discussion!

IDEACon - DEIA Reimagined is a free event for high school juniors through college seniors. This immersive day-long youth summit prepares young people for the workplace through introducing DEIA competencies & career paths through a series of workshops, training, and networking opportunities.

Join the African and African American Studies department for an enlightening conversation led by Dr. Muey Saeteurn. The discussion will focus on smallholder tea farmers in Kenya and explore the country's journey toward increased independence.

Samuel Shearer is assistant professor in the Department of African and African American Studies. Shearer's work focuses on the design, production, and destruction of urban space in African cities and how these processes inform popular politics and cultures across the continent. His current book project, tentatively titled The Kigali After: A New City for the End of the World is about the politics of urban design, displacement, and the dual crises of capitalism and ecology in one of the fastest urbanizing cities the world: Kigali, Rwanda. Dr. Thembelani (Themba) Mbatha is an interdisciplinary scholar of global black thought and the literary and cultural histories of Africa and the African diaspora. His work focuses on the intersections between the histories of blackness and the politics of memory in the postcolonial and black Atlantic worlds. His current book project, titled Registers of Black Witnessing: Archives of Testimony in Africa and the African Diaspora, sets to offer a decolonized framework of testimony and witnessing while investigating the implications of this on contemporary and future discourses of blackness.

Save the date and join the Department of African and African American Studies for a virtual alumni panel. Former AFAS students will come together to share their journeys post-graduation and discuss how they've utilized their degrees in today's job market. RSVP is required.

The Department of African & African American Studies is honored to present AFAS alumna Dr. Heather Skanes. Dr. Skanes will be delivering a talk entitled "The War on Black Birthing Bodies: A Conversation About the Historical and Present Harms of Black Women in the Field of Obstetrics and Gynecology." 4.18.24 4:30 - 6:30 pm Hillman 60

Our democracy and economy are linked. To ensure our economy works for everyone and people can fully participate in our democracy, we must advance solutions that will build power for the people. Join us for a panel discussion and Q&A with leaders in Missouri and beyond who are working to transform our democracy and economy. RSVP required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/driving-a-people-powered-agenda-in-st-louis-tickets-879454470997?aff=oddtdtcreator

We invite you to the AFAS Senior Showcase hosted by the graduating seniors of the Department of African and African American Studies

The College of Arts & Sciences will be hosting an Open House for first-year students, focusing on departmental and program information. This event will provide students with the opportunity to meet faculty and staff, gain insights into program requirements, and ask questions regarding course offerings.

The Black Convocation is a cornerstone of the Black academic year, bringing together students who identify as Black or are part of the African diaspora to support one another’s culture and personal identity. Freshmen are welcomed into the Black community, while upperclassmen reaffirm their roles as student leaders. We encourage you to join us in this tradition of Black solidarity and fellowship at Black Convocation 2024.

Join the African and African American Studies department for a fun filled afternoon celebrating the start of a new school year.

The Center for the Digitization and Curation of African American History will be in St. Louis for our 2024 Community Curation Program! During the month of September we will be working with great community partners in St. Louis and East St. Louis, developing engaging programming, and digitizing materials for local institutions, organizations, and community members.

This thought-provoking film explores the intersection of religion and culture in African American history, providing a deeper understanding of the role of faith in shaping the African American experience and its impact on our world today. The panel discussion below took place after a recent screening in NMAAHC's Oprah Winfrey Theater and features Teddy Reeves (Producer/NMAAHC Museum Curator of Religion), Kim Moir (Executive Producer/Director) and principals from the film. RSVP Required

Join us for our Seat at the Table program at the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site, Redbud Café at 2658 Delmar Blvd, Saint Louis, MO 63103.

Black Anthology began in 1989 when Marcia Hayes-Harris saw the need for a creative outlet for black students on Washington University in St. Louis’s campus. She gathered a small group of students and performed works from established black authors, poets, and creative minds. Black Anthology is a performance that is written, choreographed, directed, and produced entirely by Washington University Undergraduates.

The St. Louis Black Repertory company is marking International Black Theater Day as September 17th, 2024. The greater St. Louis community is invited to join an esteemed group of panelists as they discuss they importance of black people in theater spaces.

Join us for this celebration and panel discussion for the forthcoming book, Play Harder: The Triumph of Black Baseball in America.

The Smithsonian's Center for the Digitization and Curation of African American History is working with communities and cultural and educational institutions across Greater St. Louis for its 2024 Community Curation Program. This exhibition is part of the 2024 Community Curation series.

Race is a defining issue in the 2024 U.S. election. Join our expert panelists for an in-depth panel discussion on what this election means for Black voters. From the historic nomination of the first Black woman by a major political party to Trump's escalating attacks on people of color and immigrants—most recently targeting Haitian immigrants—race and rights are being used to mobilize young and marginalized voters while simultaneously stoking fear among white voters. Panelists will also address the ongoing attacks on DEI initiatives, Black Studies curricula in public schools, and affirmative action, alongside continued efforts to suppress Black votes. This panel explores critical challenges and stakes Black voters face in what is being called one of the most consequential elections in history. In response, the Department of African & African American Studies has convened a panel of scholars to provide historical and political context. The discussion will explore what's at stake for the country and, in particular, for Black Americans as we look toward the future. RSVP is required.

The African & African American Studies Department is proud to sponsor the film "Gonzo", as part of the St. Louis International Film Festival. Tickets are free but registration is required below.

The Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity & Equity (CRE2 ) at Washington University in St. Louis is pleased to announce the launch of The Race & Ethnicity Study Group. Designed to meet three to four times per year, bringing together faculty and doctoral students across universities in the greater St. Louis region whose research and scholarship focus on race and ethnicity, The Race & Ethnicity Study Group will provide a forum for this community of scholars to gather on a regular basis for the purpose of becoming familiar with each other’s work, networking, exploring future collaborations, and supporting each other’s new work-in-progress.