Africana Studies organizes a weekly lecture series and a weekly film series that encompasses the diversity and breadth of the African American, African, and Caribbean experiences.

Establishing a Research Center on Blacks in the West:
The African presence in western North America has existed since at least the mid-1500s, with the arrival of Estavenico in what is today the Los Angeles area. Much earlier cultural interchanges have been asserted by Ivan van Sertima in his book They Came Before Columbus and Dr. Julian Kunnie in a recent DVD Veracruz: Confluence of African and Indigenous Mexican Cultures. The historic role that African Americans played in the settling of the Southwest is also documented in archival materials such as the Buffalo Soldiers collection housed at Ft. Huachuca.

One of the goals of the new Research Center would be to work with organizations like the Dunbar Center, a historic African American landmark in Tucson with plans to create an African American Museum on Blacks in the West that would also function actively as an educational center and meeting place. As part of the effort to establish the Research Center, upgrading Africana Studies library holdings are also a key priority.

Tucson Unified School District Outreach in Curriculum and Mentoring:
Expand mentoring efforts by eight Africana Studies students currently underway at Doolen Middle School and Davidson Elementary toward goal of helping students enroll at the University of Arizona. Hold annual summer Teacher Training workshops and institutes for K-12 teachers. Pilot Kiswahili language course in at least one school.

Study Abroad In Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Cairo, Ghana, and Senegal:
In addition to existing links with the University of Zimbabwe, the University of Venda for Science and Technology, the University of the Western Cape in South Africa, the University of Nairobi in Kenya, and the American University in Cairo, conversations are underway for programs with the University of Ghana in Legon and Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal. Student travel scholarships are of special priority.

The Africana Scholars Project in Timbuktu, Mali:
A joint project with the University of Mali in Bamako to preserve and translate into English an important archive of West and Central African historical and cultural works and documents.

Student Exchange with Historic Black Colleges and Universities:
To enable Africana Studies students to spend at least one semester in their senior year in an educational context that is predominantly African American, at institutions such as Howard University, Spellman College, Southern University in New Orleans or Grambling State College.

Comparative Ethnic Studies: Graduate Program:
Located in the heart of the Southwest, Africana Studies is distinctively placed to offer a graduate degree including a Ph.D. degree in Comparative Ethnic Studies, in conjunction with other Ethnic Studies programs like American Indian Studies, Mexican American Studies, and Latin American Studies. Resources are needed to fund the development of a research unit in Comparative Ethnic Studies that would facilitate the establishment of this
graduate degree.

Annual Pan African Literature Conference:
Hosting an annual gathering of internationally renowned scholars, writers, and poets (including Nobel laureates) from diverse regions of the world, including Africa and the Caribbean. Dr. Geta LeSeur will coordinate this conference.

Project on Culture and Conflict ( for more information click here)

Africana Studies Program Endowment:
Earnings support key projects and priorities.

Future Initiatives
•Youth Mentorship Development Conference:
•Gospel Celebration:
•Black Newspaper:
•Internship / Work Study:
•Black Scholars Scholarships:

Financial Support
There are several ways that you can support development and further success of the Africana Studies Program. The Department is participating in Campaign Arizona, a comprehensive fundraising campaign. Gifts can be made in a variety of ways including planned gifts and bequests. For further information about supporting Africana Studies, please contact: (We have attached a gift form for your convenience.)