African American Studies News
The Department of African American Studies publishes our newsletter twice a year for alumni, students, and community partners and friends. Each issue features music, film, or reading recommendations, noteworthy achievements from current students and faculty, interviews with alumni, and recaps of our programming and events.
News
In conversation with Dr. Thulani Davis
“The arts help to stimulate your emotional life, enrich your emotional life, and your appreciation of what human life is like. And that’s helpful to whatever endeavor you’re taking up. If you want to be a doctor, it’s going to teach you more about the human beings who are going to come in for help from you. It broadens your universe at a time when you’re told to specialize…”
Heard, seen, and believed In
“All of these themes—poverty, access to water, safe and affordable housing, unstable employment, running for public office—are things Black women are navigating right now. And then there are the lived experiences of the actors themselves. I think Erika set the stage for us to live out that contradiction. And for us to exercise the possibility of true freedom when we center the stories and voices of those most impacted…”
Honoring our achievements
The End of Year Celebration, a permanent fixture in the department’s calendar, celebrates the moment, for we have much to be grateful for, and offers reflection as we send our newest graduates off.
The interdisciplinary artist
When Sophia Abrams, UW-Madison Class of 2022, joined the production team for Seen & Heard, she was doing the work that makes the content coming to your television possible. This HBO documentary, produced by Issa Rae and directed by Giselle Bailey and Phil Bertelsen, explores the history of Black representation in American television.
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African American Studies Newsletter
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FALL 2024
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Now more than ever, the Department of African American Studies expresses immense gratitude to our donors and friends, who help our students excel in the field of Black studies. Consider gifting through the UW Foundation to support the department in its pursuit of critical inquiry, research, and teaching.