UC Berkeley Celebrates 40 Years Of African American Studies

 On April 9th and 10th the Department of African American Studies at UC Berkeley celebrates it’s 40th anniversary. The events kick off with a luncheon in the American Cultures Room (231 Wheeler Hall) at 11:45 am. Words of welcome by Executive Vice Chancellor George Breslauer are followed by a panel of students, faculty, and staff--pioneers of the Afro-American Studies program at Berkeley. From 2:30pm – 4pm, undergraduate and graduate students in African American Studies present their current research. 

On that evening we are honored to collaborate with the African American Museum and Library at Oakland in hosting “40 Years of Soul.” The night is a musical and artistic celebration of the past forty years. The band “Theory & Soul” – complete with vocalists, dancers, and spoken word artists – will interpret the past 40 years.

Saturday morning begins with a continental breakfast in the American Cultures Room at 8:30am. Our keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Julianne Malveaux, President at Bennett College in the Maude Fife Room at 9:15am. Following the address, we will feature the several alumni who will reflect on how African American Studies has shaped their career paths. At 12:30pm, we will dedicate the graduate student lounge to Dr. Vévé Clark in 683 Barrows Hall. The event closes with a lunch and departmental open house until 2pm.

Friday April 9
11:45–1:00
Welcome Lunch
231 Wheeler Hall

1:00–2:15
315 Wheeler Hall (Maude Fife Room)
Greetings by EVC & Provost George Breslauer

Pioneer Panel
Hardy Frye- Chair, professor emeritus
Margaret Wilkerson, professor emeritus
Bill Banks, professor emeritus
James Noel, former student
Fran Carter, former staff

2:30–4:00
Student Research Panel
J Finley- Chair, graduate student
Christiana Milton, undergraduate student
Brandi Howard, undergraduate student
Obiamaka Ude, undergraduate student
Shaun Ossei-Owusu, graduate student
Asia Leeds, graduate student

7:00–9:00
“40 Years of Soul”
African American Museum &Library Library (Oakland)
Reception and Cultural Event

Saturday April 10
8:30–9:00
Continental Breakfast

9:15–10:30
315 Wheeler Hall
Keynote Address
Dr. Julianne Malveaux
President, Bennett College

10:45–12:15
Alumni Panel
Brandi Catanese- Chair; Associate Professor, UC Berkeley
Jennifer Madden; President, California Assoc. of Black Lawyers
Robeson Taj Frazier; Assistant Professor, USC
Quamé Patton; Interdisciplinary Prog. Coordinator, SLC UCB
Rosalind McGary, Fine Artist

12:30–2:00
Dedication/Open House
683/652 Barrows Hall
Lisa Zé Winters; Assistant Professor, Wayne State
Amy Ifatolu Gardner; MD, MPH