Black Studies continues to be one of the most dynamic disciplines in academe today. A dyanmic and fluid field, its content is always evolving and expanding to accomodate discussions of the changing realities faced by African Americans. Below, please find the latest developments and advancements in the field.
NOTE--This informational blog is compiled by (with the exception of the introduction and photograph) and reprinted with permission from Abdul Akalimat, PhD
Name Change
Northwestern University https://dailynorthwestern.com/2023/05/22/campus/bursars-office-takeover-55th-anniversary/black-studies-department/
Maryland https://today.umd.edu/briefs/department-renamed-to-encompass-african-american-and-africana-studies
Georgetown University https://www.georgetown.edu/news/board-of-directors-approves-department-name-changes-receives-updates-on-fundraising-campaign-fellowships-in-winter-meeting/
Johns Hopkins https://hub.jhu.edu/2024/02/08/chloe-center-critical-study-racism-immigration-colonialism/
New Units
Catholic University https://communications.catholic.edu/news/2024/02/launching-of-africana-studies-program-a-milestone-for-university.html
Cal State Bakersfield https://www.aol.com/csub-announces-creation-ethnic-studies-045900622.html
Pittsburgh
https://pittnews.com/article/179588/top-stories/we-are-connected-pitt-plans-new-africana-studies-ph-d-program/
Colorado https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTLBkf5jekQ
Stanford https://stanforddaily.com/2023/11/15/50-years-in-the-making-african-and-african-american-studies-program-departmentalizes-in-january/
Rochester https://www.rochester.edu/newscenter/university-of-rochester-establishes-department-of-black-studies-540742/
Dartmouth https://www.thedartmouth.com/article/2023/08/college-launches-institute-for-black-intellectual-and-cultural-life
Temple https://aldianews.com/en/education/education/center-anti-racism
Harvard https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2024/02/need-for-moral-revolution/
Kean University in Union, New Jersey, has established the Center for Africana Studies https://jbhe.com/2024/02/kean-university-establishes-new-center-for-africana-studies/
New Degrees
Baylor University https://baylorlariat.com/2024/02/26/ethnic-studies-minor-to-be-available-for-students-fall-2024/
Massasoit Community College https://95wxtk.iheart.com/content/2023-08-02-mcc-brockton-with-first-to-offer-black-studies/
Prairie View https://rollingout.com/2022/10/17/prairie-view-am-now-offers-african-american-studies-program/
New Research Programs
Yale https://news.yale.edu/2022/08/11/digital-project-supports-bibliographic-turn-black-literary-studies
University of Illinois Chicago https://today.uic.edu/uic-joins-worldwide-effort-to-transcribe-frederick-douglass-papers-for-future-researchers/
Penn State https://www.psu.edu/news/liberal-arts/story/center-black-digital-research-library-congress-forge-new-partnership/
Cal State Northridge https://scvnews.com/csuns-black-power-archives-bring-attention-to-l-a-s-forgotten-role-in-history/
New Funding
Ohio State https://www.wosu.org/news/2023-03-02/ohio-states-black-studies-community-extension-center-to-undergo-2-million-renovation
Colorado https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTLBkf5jekQ
Howard University https://thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/cameron-schrier-foundation-donates-25-million-endowed-chair-africana-studies-0