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 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 …
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 …
The 2025–2026 academic year has been a banner year for the Department of African American Studies. We celebrated our 55th anniversary with a three-day symposium attended by over 100 alumni, faculty, students, staff, administrators, friends of the department, and community members. We welcomed two new faculty members, Professors Sabrina Thomas and Max Felker-Kantor, who have …
Recognizing student scholarship at second annual symposium On February 27, 2026, the Department of African American Studies hosted our second annual student symposium in the Memorial Union’s Tripp Commons, drawing scholars, students, and community members together for a full day of exchange on Black studies; the event centered research in the arts, activism, and theory. …
Dr. Sabrina Thomas shares five reading recommendations to best understand the role of Black studies in 2026 “Stony the Road presents a bracing alternative to Trump-era white nationalism. . . . In our current politics we recognize African-American history—the spot under our country’s rug where the terrorism and injustices of white supremacy are habitually swept.” …