Program Overview

Introduction to African and African Diaspora Studies

The African and African Diaspora Studies program is designed to introduce students to the histories, cultures, and experiences of African descended peoples. The program aims to support serious academic research on Africa and the African Diaspora, provide opportunities for students to examine the depth and breadth of African legacies, and link local Black communities with Boston College.

Mission

The mission of the African and African Diaspora Studies program is to:

• Introduce histories, cultures, and experiences of African descended peoples to the widest range of students
• Support serious academic research on Africa and the African Diaspora
• Give African descended students and their peers opportunities to examine the depth and breadth of African legacies on this continent and in all parts of our world
• Link local Black communities more closely with BC
• Project the significance of realities of people of African descent to the intellectual life of BC and larger communities

History of the Program

The Black Studies Program was started in response to Father General Pedro Arupe's 1968 "Inter-Racial Apostolate" letter to Jesuit Colleges and universities. The program was part of an academic initiative to bring more African American students to the university and to make its undergraduate curriculum more broadly reflect a range of intellectual and critical perspectives.

Key Milestones

• 1968: The Black Studies Program was founded alongside BC's "Black Talent Program" as part of an effort to recruit talented Black students from across the country.
• 1981: Amanda V. Houston was named Director of Black Studies and laid the groundwork for the Black Studies minor.
• 1983: The first "Blacks in Boston" Conference was held, examining social, political, and cultural issues faced by different ethnic groups and organizations in Boston's Black community.
• 1985: The Black Studies Minor was established.
• 1993: Professor Frank Taylor became the first full-time Director of Black Studies, expanding the program's focus on the Caribbean.
• 2005: Cynthia Young was hired as Director of Black Studies, leading to the program's growth and expansion of its network of affiliate faculty.
• 2006: The Black Studies Program was renamed to the African and African Diaspora Studies Program, reflecting its broadened focus on Africa and its worldwide diaspora.
• 2009: Rhonda Frederick became the Program's fourth director, committed to initiatives begun by previous directors and forging new connections with Boston's African Diaspora communities.
• 2016: Professor Frederick revived the "Blacks in Boston" conference series.
• 2023: The African and African Diaspora Studies major was approved by the Educational Policy Committee.

Program Details

The African and African Diaspora Studies program offers a range of courses and opportunities for students to engage with the histories, cultures, and experiences of African descended peoples. The program is committed to supporting serious academic research and providing opportunities for students to examine the depth and breadth of African legacies.

Notable Accomplishments

• Successfully proposed a cluster hire initiative to search for four new assistant professors in AADS.
• Created the template for an AADS independent major that would go on to serve as the basis for a proposed regular major.
• Secured permanent funding for the biannual Blacks in Boston Conference from the MCAS Dean's Office.
• Cultivated student engagement with social justice and the common good.
• Worked in collaboration with the core faculty and submitted the AADS major proposal, which was approved by the Educational Policy Committee as a pilot in 2019.

Current Director

The current director of the African and African Diaspora Studies program is Dr. Lorelle Semley, who joined the program in July 2023. Dr. Semley teaches over 4,000 years of African history and her research focuses on modern West Africa, French imperialism, gender, and the Atlantic world.