This presentation will also discuss methodologies that open up creative spaces for catharsis, reconciliation, healing, and transnational solidarity towards informing transitional justice policies, and community development programs for African descendants in the Americas.

Length: 60 minutes

My discussion will focus on the recent publication (Kendall Hunt, 2021) Black Freedom Struggles: Africana Reader which is a testament to Black excellence throughout the Africana world. The focus of Black Freedom Struggles is not to dwell on the oppression of Black people. The purpose is to show Black agency and teach common struggle. The Africana world witnessed some of the best leadership often developed at the community level. The development of Black Freedom Struggles incorporates the “Horne’s Thesis” named after Gerald Horne a prolific African diaspora scholar who methodology and scholarship challenge scholars to expand the capacity of their historiography to account for the complexity, magnitude, range, and tenacity of Black identity, cultural formation, and political engagement. Concepts such as African diaspora, transAfricanism, the Black Atlantic, and Pan-Africanism, will help students learn and explore strategies to learn about Africa and the African diaspora. This will allow students to understand how the concepts used in the reader are pertinent to historical study, examining Africa, and the diaspora current relationship to the global Black world. I will discuss Section I: Origins of Black Freedom Struggles which focuses on all Black settlements as communities of cultural enclaves, self-preservation, heritage, freedom, and culture. I will compare and contrast Black settlements in relationship to the Gullah Geechee Corridor and the African Diaspora.

Length: 60 minutes

After the screening of Saving Sandy Island (2006), Between the Waters (2017), Charlie’s Place (2018), and before Gullah Roots (2020), join Besty Newman, the films’ producer, to talk about her connection with this region, as well as collaborating with communities to tell their stories.

Length: 30 minutes

Join Georgetown-based artist Zenobia Harper as she guides you through making your own traditional doll. Harper weaves through ideas of identity, culture, and tradition. Limited to 20 people per session.

Length: 40 minutes