Africana Studies

Professor of English and Africana studies Herman Beavers seated in a chair in a university hallway.

Herman Beavers’ balancing act of creativity and educational innovation

The professor of English and Africana studies is defined by his artistic curiosity and commitment to community building as a teacher and mentor.

Penn Today Staff ・ November 27, 2019

sphinx in the archway of the museum entrance

Penn Museum’s transformation revealed

The main level reopens after a historic renovation featuring the relocated sphinx and completely reimagined Africa and Mexico/Central America galleries.

Louisa Shepard ・ November 14, 2019

Student standing next to signs for 2019 and 2020

‘School year’s resolutions’

Here, a collection of Penn faculty and students share some of their goals for the 2019-20 academic year, plus a quote that's keeping them motivated.

Brandon Baker ・ August 26, 2019

Amy Gutmann and Toni Morrison seated on stage with flags behind them

Penn remembers and celebrates Toni Morrison

The Penn community recalls the life and legacy of renowned author and teacher Toni Morrison, H‘88.

Brandon Baker ・ August 9, 2019

Dr. Ali Ali-Dinar of the Department of Africana Studies sits at a table in his office.

Lamentations for Sudan

Sudanese scholar Ali Ali-Dinar, a senior lecturer in the Department of Africana Studies, discusses the ongoing uprising in the East African country and the Sudan massacre.

Greg Johnson ・ June 21, 2019

Research, context, and community merge at Penn and Slavery Symposium

Students, faculty, and community members gathered to talk about the University’s connections to slavery.

Gwyneth K. Shaw ・ April 5, 2019

Group of students and professor gathered at monument with mountain in back.

Seeing, hearing, and encountering post-apartheid South Africa

A Penn Global Seminar course taught by Carol Muller took the 16 undergraduates to South Africa to explore that nation's history and post-apartheid present day through music and culture. The students demonstrated the impact of the journey through final projects including a painting, a written paper, a poem, a film, a photo essay, a musical score—even a set of political cartoons.

Louisa Shepard ・ March 24, 2019

Six people sitting on a stage during discussion.

Documenting refugees

A documentary film by Penn junior Sonari Chidi and a panel discussion at Perry World House focused on the depiction of refugees and immigrants in the media.

Louisa Shepard ・ February 21, 2019

‘A Home for the Holidays’

On Dec. 31, Kyle Oden, a junior at Penn from Inglewood, Calif., and his family will be featured as part of a nationally televised holiday special: “A Home for the Holidays—the 20th Anniversary” celebrating families whose lives have been changed by adoptions.

Penn Today Staff ・ December 18, 2018

Meeting of minds

With the Penn Alumni Reading Club, the Center for Africana Studies delivers intellectual engagement directly to alumni—and the public.

Penn Today Staff ・ December 10, 2018

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In the News

Philadelphia Inquirer

For This Penn Class That Studies Beyoncé, Beychella Was Like an Epic Final Exam

Salamishah Tillet of the School of Arts and Sciences discussed her seminar “Family Feuds: Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Solange and the Meaning of American Music” and analyzed the viral Coachella performance’s commentary on Black womanhood.

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Fox 29 (Philadelphia)

Family Feud: Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Solange

Penn students Ashley Barrett, Arike Jacobs, and Erica Suarez joined Salamishah Tillet of the School of Arts and Sciences on “Good Day Philadelphia” to discuss Tillet’s seminar “Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Solange.” (Video)