College of Letters & Science
Victoria Mejicanos, an AFRO News staff writer, interviews Dr. Ethelene Whitmire on her process of researching Reed Peggram, a Black queer Harvard scholar whom Whitmire recently published a book on “I just wanted to tell this story,” Dr. Whitmire tells AFRO News. “I just thought that there was something there. And I like telling stories …
We have a new home! We parted ways with Helen C. White this summer and are now located in Irving & Dorothy Levy Hall on the corner of Park St and Johnson St. (next to Grainger Hall and Sellery Residence Hall). Levy Hall is equipped with study alcoves, a cafe on the first-floor, and state …
Dr. Andrene Wright-Johnson, political theorist and professor of African American studies, publishes new article in Political Research Quarterly. Find the full article linked here. Abstract: A persistent puzzle in American politics is whether shared gendered experiences can bridge enduring racial divides in political attitudes. This study evaluates whether maternal health policy frames can activate gendered …
The Department of African American Studies is pleased to share that Rayna Cunningham (African American Studies certificate graduate and 2025 Tom Shick Award recipient) has committed to attending the University of Illinois College of Medicine, at the Rockford Campus. We look forward to witnessing Cunningham’s growth in the medical field. “My African American Studies certificate …
The Department of African American Studies is currently seeking a Student Administrative and Events Assistant to join our team. The ideal candidate will have: —Strong oral and written communication skills—Organizational and time‑management abilities—Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and sometimes Adobe Creative Cloud—Ability to work independently and multi‑task—Friendly, professional demeanor and good problem‑solving skills Learn …
Professor Christy Clark-Pujara will open the PBS Wisconsin America at 250 Education Summit to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. She will explore the complexity of the people, places, values, and experiences of the time leading up to and after the American Revolution. Drawing directly from primary sources, including …
Co-authored by Taylor Milan Hall, Dr. Jessica Lee Stovall, and Farzana Saleem Adjah, “Black people are more than just suffering: A BlackCrit exploration of the impact of Advanced Placement African American Studies on student understandings of Black history”, examines results from one high school pilot course and the College Board’s latest curriculum. Abstract: Most high …
“Rethinking Special Order 40: Policing, Immigration Enforcement, and the Threat to Public Safety”, an opinion piece with a historical lens, examines the relationship between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the LAPD. Dr. Max Felker-Kantor has published “Rethinking Special Order 40: Policing, Immigration Enforcement, and the Threat to Public Safety” in the Summer 2026 issue …
A recap of the 2026 End of Year Celebration On May 7, 2026, we held our annual End of Year Celebration, bringing together graduating students, their families, faculty, and staff for an afternoon of recognition. Department chair Dr. Christy Clark-Pujara opened the event with remarks before guests shared lunch and conversation. The gathering closed with a …
by Heaven Williams An interview with Jnae Thompson Jnae Thompson is an organizer and grant writer at Freedom Inc., a Black and Southeast Asian, queer, abolitionist, feminist organization based in Madison that provides radical direct services and movement-building support for survivors of gender-based violence. This spring, she stepped back onto the UW-Madison stage as Ainee …