About the Center

The Board of Regents granted approval for the establishment of the Center for Africana Studies on February 2, 2001. Commencing its operations in 2002, the Africana Center welcomed students, faculty, staff, and the broader community of Central.

Going back to its roots, in 1992, a group of pioneering educators, including Professors Gloria Emeagwali, Walton Brown-Foster, Haines Brown, and Sherinatu Fafunwa-Ndibe, laid the foundation for what would later become the African Studies Program at Central. Professor Gloria Emeagwali took the helm as the program's founding coordinator.

In 1993, Professor Gloria Emeagwali spearheaded the launch of the Africa Update Newsletter, a publication she continues to edit to this day in addition to her teaching obligations.

The tradition of Annual African Conferences was started in 1994. A banquet and lecture series was also established in the 1990s.

Afro Festival

Afro Festival

To promote Africana culture on campus and the larger community
Center for Africana Studies at Open House

Open House

At the Secret Garden with activities such as drum circle, food, and games
Meeting with the Central Provost and the University of Ghana

Visit from University of Ghana

Provost, Department of Basic and Applied Sciences
Inspirational Mondays

Inspirational Mondays

Held on Mondays in the center giving students insights to start off their week
Unveiling Ceremony

Unveiling Ceremony

Distinguished Service Award recipients: Evelyn Newman Philips, Warren R. Perry, and William Fothergil
Africana Studies Stole Ceremony

Africana Studies Stole Ceremony

Graduation stole ceremony to commemorate students who have demonstrated awareness and support for African Diasporic people and issues.
Center for Africana Studies Annual Conference

Center for Africana Studies Annual Conference

Started in 1994 to foster and advance interdisciplinary understanding and appreciation of Africa, African Americans, and individuals of African heritage across the Diaspora