African American And Diaspora Studies

In celebration of Juneteenth, a new mural honoring Black country music artists was unveiled on June 19 at the site of the former Vanderbilt Printing Services building. The mural, created by local artist Elisheba Israel Mrozik, draws inspiration from stories and history featured in Vanderbilt professor and award-winning songwriter Alice Randall’s latest book, My Black Country. Read More

Vanderbilt’s Division of Government and Community Relations will host the special event at Vanderbilt Printing Services, 625 Chestnut St. in Nashville, from 4 to 5 p.m. on June 19. Read More

Four students will be Keegan Fellows and travel the world for one year, and for the first time, Vanderbilt has also awarded four students a Keegan Fellowship to travel in summer 2024. The Keegan Fellowship reflects the promise from the university and Keegan Fellowship alumni to provide transformative global experiences that foster the growth of future leaders. Read More

With a goal of establishing international research collaborations among women in higher education, the U.S.-based Chair at the Table Network (CHAT) and U.K.-based Women’s Higher Education Network (WHEN) explored themes related to advancing careers and building partnerships at the hybrid event. Read More

Vanderbilt Divinity School invites the community to a viewing of Gospel, a new PBS docuseries on the rich history of Black religious music and preaching, and a conversation with two of the program’s commentators on Feb. 13. The event, which begins at 6 p.m. in Sarratt Cinema, features Yolanda Pierce and Michael Eric Dyson, both of whom are in the docuseries. Read More

Forty-four faculty members have received the first Provost’s Faculty Grant for Culminating Projects in Immersion to support mentorship of students as they complete their immersion projects. Read More

Vanderbilt University will host a panel discussion, “Confronting Hate: Antisemitism and Racism,” on Tuesday, March 28, at 7 p.m. in the Central Library Community Room. The discussion will address the historical links between antisemitism and other forms of racism and their contemporary resonances in the United States today. Read More

Dr. André L. Churchwell, vice chancellor for outreach, inclusion and belonging and chief diversity officer, hosted a panel of Vanderbilt faculty earlier this fall to discuss the state of racial justice in America. Among the topics covered was how art can offer hope during unsettled times and help create a more just, civil and moral society. Read More

Briana Perry, co-executive director of Healthy and Free Tennessee, will discuss “We Who Believe in Freedom: Sustaining the Power of Grassroots Organizing” on Tuesday, April 12, at 6 p.m. in the Vanderbilt Student Life Center Board of Trust Room. The event, presented by the Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, is in honor of Ella Baker Day. Read More

The Heard Libraries have acquired the papers of Rissi Palmer, an influential singer-songwriter and Apple Music host who is breaking barriers for country music artists of color. The library’s acquisition is helping Vanderbilt build a world-class archive of African American music in partnership with the National Museum of African American Music. Read More

Sonia Sanchez, a poet, playwright, professor and activist, will give a virtual talk on Wednesday, April 7, beginning at noon CT in celebration of National Poetry Month as well as Black art and artists. Read More

Prominent scholars Cornel West and Victor Anderson will participate in a virtual event, “Race, Faith and American Democracy: A Conversation,” on Friday, Feb. 5, from noon to 1 p.m. CT as part of Vanderbilt University’s celebration of Black History Month. Read More

Author Alice Randall, writer in residence in African American and Diaspora Studies, will discuss her new book, "Black Bottom Saints," during a virtual event on Thursday, Feb. 4. The event, open to all faculty, staff and alumni, will begin at 5 p.m. CT and be conducted via Zoom. Read More

Alice Randall and Caroline Randall Williams are both writers-in-residence at Vanderbilt—Randall in the Department of African American and Diaspora Studies and Williams in the Department of Medicine, Health and Society. And neither is afraid to shine a light on complicated questions around race. Read More

From Rosa Parks to the Freedom Riders, buses have been a potent symbol of change in Dara Johnson’s hometown, and she’s working to become the next person to deliver transformation through transportation—in the form of a mobile dental clinic. Read More

Tracy Sharpley-Whiting, a renowned scholar on race, gender and culture and chair of African American and Diaspora Studies, has won a Southeastern Conference Faculty Achievement Award. Read More

Vanderbilt’s 2020 celebration of Black History Month included lectures, off-campus trips, community events and more to celebrate and reflect on the history, impact and contributions of African Americans throughout the country’s history and at the university. Read More

“Stirring the Waters Across America,” a multimedia production highlighting the Civil Rights Movement through captivating music, spoken word and dance, is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 28 in Langford Auditorium. Read More

Acclaimed author and feminist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie will keynote a signature event as part of the Vanderbilt University Chancellor’s Lecture Series on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 6:30 p.m. in Langford Auditorium. The event, hosted by Interim Chancellor and Provost Susan R. Wente, is free and open to the public. Read More

An Oct. 7 panel discussion will explore the connections between the women’s suffrage movement and current voting rights activism. The panel is free and open to the public and will take place from 4:10 to 5:30 p.m. in the Great Room of E. Bronson Ingram College. Read More