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Africana Studies

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What to read, watch, and cook for Juneteenth

An Emancipation Day parade in St. Augustine, Florida, circa 1922.

(Image: State Archives of Florida)

What to read, watch, and cook for Juneteenth

Specialists from Penn Libraries offer seven resources to learn more about and celebrate Juneteenth.

3 min. read

How the Annenberg School connected all the dots for Naima Small
Naima Small in a tulip garden.

Image: Courtesy of Annenberg School for Communication

How the Annenberg School connected all the dots for Naima Small

The Class of 2025 communications major was drawn to studying social media and culture, how gender is portrayed online, and the role of technology in perpetuating bias. “I loved how Annenberg enabled me to not only see the diversity of ways I could use my degree, but also learn from people who had much different academic interests than me.”

From Annenberg School for Communication

2 min. read

Marcia Chatelain and Matthew Levendusky named 2025 Guggenheim Fellows  
Marcia Chatelain and Matthew Levendusky headshots

Marcia Chatelain and Matthew Levendusky of the School of Arts & Sciences each have been awarded a 2025 Guggenheim Fellowship.

(Images: Courtesy of Marcia Chatelain and Matthew Levendusky)

Marcia Chatelain and Matthew Levendusky named 2025 Guggenheim Fellows  

Marcia Chatelain and Matthew Levendusky of the School of Arts & Sciences each have been awarded a 2025 Guggenheim Fellowship.

2 min. read

Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith and Awards Commemoration honors King’s life and work
Eddie Glaude addresses the crowd with a large image of MLK in the background

“Let’s choose the America that Dr. King gave his life for,” Glaude said in his address. 

(Image: Damien Townsville)

Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith and Awards Commemoration honors King’s life and work

The annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith and Awards Commemoration celebrates King’s life and work and honors students, faculty, staff, and community members. This year’s winners were selected for their work in the Penn community and beyond.

Kristina García

24th annual Lecture in Social Justice
Orlando Patterson speaks at a podium. Behind him, a screen shows the five fundamental principals of social beings

“Dr. King fought for and defined, in real terms, the true meaning and purpose of freedom,” Orlando Patterson said. 

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24th annual Lecture in Social Justice

The 24th annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture in Social Justice featured sociologist Orlando Patterson of Harvard University, known for his work on the history of race and slavery, in conversation with Michael Hanchard of Africana Studies.

Kristina García

Timothy Rommen appointed vice provost for the arts at Penn
Timothy Rommen.

Timothy Rommen is the Davidson Kennedy Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of music and Africana studies in the School of Arts & Sciences. His role as inaugural vice provost for the arts begins Jan. 1, 2025.

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Timothy Rommen appointed vice provost for the arts at Penn

The Davidson Kennedy Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of music and Africana studies in the School of Arts & Sciences, Rommen will begin the new appointment on Jan. 1.
60 years of civil rights with Mary Frances Berry
Marcia Chatelain and Mary Frances Berry converse on a stage in front of an audience

Emeritus professor Mary Frances Berry reflected on the 60-year anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in conversation with Marcia Chatelain.

(Image: Tyrone Bullock, Jr.)

60 years of civil rights with Mary Frances Berry

The emeritus Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought reflected on the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in conversation with Marcia Chatelain.

Kristina García

Wale Adebanwi on social mobility, ethnonationalism, and democratic politics in Nigeria
Book cover for “How to Become a Big Man in Africa” written by Wale Adebanwe.

Wale Adebanwi is a Presidential Penn Compact Professor of Africana Studies and director of the Center for Africana Studies. 

(Image: Courtesy of Omnia)

Wale Adebanwi on social mobility, ethnonationalism, and democratic politics in Nigeria

The Presidential Penn Compact Professor of Africana Studies and director of the Center for Africana Studies revisits his journalistic roots with his new book about youth, violence, social dynamics, and governmental evolution.

Blake Cole