Black Publics/Lived Experience: Africana Studies and the Public Humanities at Lehigh University

FAIN: CH-233584-16

Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA 18015-3027)
James B. Peterson (Project Director: May 2015 to December 2017)
Monica R. Miller (Project Director: December 2017 to June 2018)
Kwame Essien (Project Director: June 2018 to October 2019)
Jennifer Swann (Project Director: October 2019 to November 2021)
Terry-Ann Jones (Project Director: November 2021 to present)

An endowment to expand the University’s Africana Studies Public Humanities initiatives.

The enclosed proposal requests support to expand Lehigh University's Africana Studies by establishing an endowment that will be used to enhance curriculum, strengthen community engagement, and leverage fundraising goals for the interdisciplinary department.

Media Coverage

Engage & Interact (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Timothy Hyland
Publication: Lehigh Research Review
Date: 3/17/2016
Abstract: New initiatives will see faculty and students moving further into the public sphere, joining with local residents and other community partners in forums, town halls and public meetings to deliberate on local concerns that they can address together.
URL: http://http://www1.lehigh.edu/news/engage-interact

A Powerful Opportunity (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Mary Ellen Alu
Publication: Lehigh Bulletin
Date: 3/7/2016
Abstract: In 2011, Lehigh opened a new chapter in its increasing commitment to diversity and interdisciplinary education when it selected Africana Studies as its first academic “cluster,” bringing together scholars/faculty in English, history, religion studies, theater, journalism, and art, architecture and design. Over the past four years, the program has developed powerful public programming, including a 2015 conference on Malcolm X's life and legacy that attracted scholars from around the world.
URL: http://http://www1.lehigh.edu/news/powerful-opportunity

Associated Products

Africana Studies program awarded prestigious NEH challenge grant (Web Resource)
Title: Africana Studies program awarded prestigious NEH challenge grant
Author: Mary Ellen Alu
Abstract: Lehigh’s Africana Studies program has been awarded a prestigious $500,000 challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, an independent federal agency that funds high-quality research, education and public programs at colleges and universities, museums and other institutions across the United States. The three-to-one matching grant, announced in December, will require Lehigh to raise $1.5 million over the next five years. The funds will be used to create an endowment to expand the Africana Studies program at Lehigh, including enhancing curriculum, increasing public humanities initiatives and strengthening the program’s community partnerships to further explore public concerns and social justice issues related to race, politics, gender, religion and other areas.
Year: 2016
Primary URL: http://http://www1.lehigh.edu/news/africana-studies-program-awarded-prestigious-neh-challenge-grant
Primary URL Description: Lehigh University Website, NEWS

Justice for Greenwood: A Discussion of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Justice for Greenwood: A Discussion of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre
Abstract: Lecture on the Tulsa Race Massacre
Author: Damario Solomon-Simmons
Date: 02/18/21
Location: Virtual
Primary URL: https://aas.cas.lehigh.edu/content/justice-greenwood-discussion-1921-tulsa-race-massacre
Primary URL Description: Link to information on the lecture

Book Reading and Discussion - How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Book Reading and Discussion - How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Abstract: Book and reading discussion with Ibram X. Kendi on his antiracism work
Author: Ibram X. Kendi
Date: 10/22/19
Location: Southside Branch, Bethlehem Public Library, 400 Webster St.
Primary URL: https://aas.cas.lehigh.edu/content/book-reading-and-discussion-how-be-antiracist-ibram-x-kendi
Primary URL Description: Link to information on the event

Emancipation & Commemoration: Abraham Lincoln and Harriet Tubman in History and Memory (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Emancipation & Commemoration: Abraham Lincoln and Harriet Tubman in History and Memory
Abstract: 2019 Harmon Lecture by Dr. Catherine Clinton on Emancipation and Commemoration
Author: Dr. Catherine Clinton
Date: 10/3/19
Location: Sinclair Auditorium
Primary URL: https://aas.cas.lehigh.edu/content/2019-harmon-lecture-emancipation-and-commemoration
Primary URL Description: Link to information on the lecture

The Hidden Heart of Human Rights with Molly Melching (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: The Hidden Heart of Human Rights with Molly Melching
Abstract: Public lecture on Human Rights
Author: Molly Melching
Date: 9/23/19
Location: Williams Hall, Roemmele Global Commons
Primary URL: https://aas.cas.lehigh.edu/content/hidden-heart-human-rights-molly-melching
Primary URL Description: Link to information on the event

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