What: “The Past, Present, and Future of Africana Studies at UTC” webinar
When: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16
Where: Virtual
To register: http://utc.edu/Africana-Studies-Webinar at any time, including after the webinar has started.
Virtual exhibit of digital materials related to the webinar: https://bit.ly/3gzKSY3
The history and future of Africana Studies at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is the subject of an upcoming webinar: “The Past, Present and Future of Africana Studies at UTC.”
The event is hosted by the Africana Studies program and sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs as a part of UTC’s observance of Black History Month. The event was developed in partnership with the Black Student Alliance and with the support of students from the UTC NAACP and the UTC African Students Association.
The goal is to open a conversation with the campus community about the origins and purpose of the academic discipline of Africana Studies, and how it fits into the wider community of academic departments, student organizations, support services and programs at UTC, said Julia Cummiskey, interim director of Africana Studies.
“UTC’s strategic plan calls for increased diversity, inclusivity and internationality,” she said. “Africana Studies offers an interdisciplinary approach to all these goals and gives students a set of skills and a knowledge base to tackle the challenges that accompany them.
“This event is an opportunity for the whole campus community to explore how Africana Studies can contribute to and inform the mission of the University and how the University can support the Africana Studies program and its students.”
“The Past, Present, and Future of Africana Studies at UTC” was inspired by a suggestion from members of the Black Student Alliance, who proposed a conversation about how the program came to be, how it fits into academic and non-academic entities on campus, how the minor prepares students for life after college, and how the program can do more to support students, especially Black students, at UTC.
“We’re at a point in the development of UTC’s Africana Studies program when we have an opportunity to reflect on what we have accomplished so far and make choices about where we want to be in the next five, 10, 50 years,” Cummiskey said.
“What should leadership in the program look like? What opportunities should we be providing to our students? What relationships do we need to develop or nurture with other departments, offices and community members. What support will we need from the University to make these goals a reality?”
The webinar begins with a short presentation from University Archivist Noah Lasley on the history of Black student activism and Africana Studies at UTC from the 1960s to the present. It will be followed by panel discussion that includes current and past students, faculty and members of the staff and administration:
- Ayub Farah: President of the UTC African Students Association
- Kloe Fortner: First-generation UTC student
- DaVeon Hall: President of the UTC NAACP and event coordinator for the Black Student Alliance
- Terri Hill: Major Gifts officer for the ProMedica Foundation
- Stacy Lightfoot: UTC vice chancellor for diversity and engagement
- Tiffany Mitchell: Member of the UTC Africana Studies Advisory Board
- Cheyenne Pearson: Graduate of UTC class of 2019. Historian for the Black Law Student Association at St. Thomas University College of Law
- Christopher Stokes: Assistant director of the UTC Office of Multicultural Affairs, National Pan-Hellenic Council advisor and member of the Africana Studies Advisory Board
“We are hoping that attendees will leave with a greater appreciation of how Africana Studies transcends the classroom, dealing with issues of race, nationality and humanity in all their complexities,” Cummiskey said. “Moreover, we hope that panelists and attendees alike will leave with a clear vision for the future of Africana Studies as it evolves to meet the changing needs of our students and our community.”
