Programming & Events

See what’s happening with the African American Studies Program.

The African American Studies program hosts a variety of events throughout the year. We also co-sponsor events with other programs on campus regularly. Most programming and events are open to the community.

 

Upcoming Events

African American Studies Senior Capstone Presentations

Seniors are required to complete an original year-long Capstone Project. This individualized project focuses on an aspect of the African diaspora or African American life, history, culture, or experience. 

Wednesday, April 23, 2 pm
Septima Clark Auditorium
Thaddeus Street, Jr., Education Center, Room 226
25 St. Philip Street

School of Languaes, Cultures, and World Affairs - Awards Ceremony

In conjunction with the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs, we honor our 2024 African American Studies Awardees for the Counseula Francis Outstanding Student Award, Ajani Ofynniyin Community Activism Award, Bernard E. Powers Writing Award, Outstanding Rising and Senior Scholars, and Senior Capstone Awards.  
 
Event Details

 

2024 Conference: Archives in the Atlantic
Carolina Lowcountry and Atlantic World Program at the College of Charleston

Carolina Lowcountry and the Atlantic World logoThe “Archives in the Atlantic” Conference will explore the ways archives and related cultural heritage institutions throughout the Atlantic World are confronting shared legacies of imperialism, slavery, and Indigenous dispossession through decolonizing traditional standards, developing liberatory practices, and expanding networks of belonging and representation.
Event Details

Regular Event Programming

Learn about the details of the African American Studies Program regular event programming.
  • Conseula Francis Emerging Scholar Lecture Series

    Portrait of Conseula FrancisEvery school year, the African American Studies program invites a young scholar to present their fresh and fascinating research to the campus community. The series was created by Professor Conseula Francis (1973-2016), the first African American Studies program director. She wanted to encourage and assist new scholars in the field of African American Studies. Professor Francis was not only a champion for her students, but she also dedicated herself to mentoring and supporting young faculty members. In honor of her unwavering dedication to our program and the work of junior scholars, we have named this lecture series after her. 

  • African American Artist Lecture Series

    The Artist Lecture Series is a special event that honors the importance of artistic expression. We invite artists from various backgrounds to showcase their art and provide us with valuable insights into how art can be a way of communicating about society. The lectures in this series are inspired by the words of writer Ralph Ellison about music, “it gives significance to all those indefinable aspects of experience which nevertheless help to make us what we are…reminding us of what we were and of that toward which we aspire.” 

  • African American Studies Film Series

    The African American Studies program organizes a film series each February. The film series focuses on specific themes associated with the program’s annual theme. It is a great opportunity for the public to explore and learn more about these important topics. This event is free and open to the public. 

  • African American Book Discussion Series

    The African American Studies Book Discussion Series brings together College of Charleston faculty, staff, and students to have informal discussions about significant texts in the field of African American Studies. We select one book to discuss each semester and provide a limited number of copies of books to participants.