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College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Department of African American Studies
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  • History of AFRO
  • Department News
  • Awards
  • Careers
  • AFRO Publishing Without Walls 2
  • Event Calendar
  • Faculty Resources
  • Committees
  • Student Resources
  • Penn State Symposium: Speakers and Angela Davis Group Photo
    Symposium, Angela Davis, and Dr. Eddie O'Byrn!
    2025-04-02 - On 3/28 and 3/29 Dr. Eddie O'Byrn had the incredible opportunity to be a part of a critical theory symposium on the philosophy, theory, and praxis of Angela Davis. The symposium was held at Penn State, only five speakers were invited, Davis herself gave the introductory keynote, she was present on Saturday for each speaker, responded to each speaker at the end, and attended a dinner with the...
  • Black Panther Woman Book Cover
    Illinois News Bureau Story Shines Light on Professor Mary Phillips' Book, "Black Panther Woman"
    2025-03-05 -  Arts and Humanities editor, Jodi Heckel, of the IL News Bureau interviewed Dr. Mary Phillips about her new book, "Black Panther Woman: The Political and Spiritual Life of Ericka Huggins."  An excerpt from the story (originally published on 3/4/25): "CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Political activist and educator Ericka Huggins used spiritual wellness practices to cope with imprisonment...
  • Dr. Mary Phillips
    New faculty announcement- Professor Mary Phillips joins AFRO
    2025-01-13 -  The Department of African American Studies is pleased to announce our newest addition to the faculty!  We welcome associate professor, Dr. Mary Phillips to the team to further our commitment to excellence in teaching and research.In her work on women's history, Dr. Mary Frances Phillips focuses on wellness studies, mass incarceration, Black feminism, gender, and the modern Back freedom...
  • Dr. Krystal Smalls
    Dr. Krystal Smalls joins core faculty of the Department of African American Studies
    2025-01-13 -  The Department of African American Studies is excited to announce professor Krystal Smalls has transitioned from an affiliate faculty member to a core member!  A bit of background on Dr. Smalls research; "I study the semiosis of race in young people's lives by conducting ethnographic research in different locations of the "African diaspora" (mostly digital or urban). My work...
  • Georgia Gilmore, activist and cook during the civil rights movement
    Professor Bobby J Smith II featured in The Guardian| Not Just Dessert: How Sweet Potato Pie Became a Tool of Black American Resistance
    2024-11-28 -  In his book Food Power Politics: the Food Story of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement, the sociologist Bobby Smith II explores how food was both weaponized and used as a tool of resistance in the struggle for Black equality, telling the story of the activist and cook Georgia Gilmore – whom he calls an unsung...
  • Freedom Forum: Where Do We Go From Here?
    2024-11-27 - AFRO and BNACC had a an excellent assembly of both students, faculty, and staff for our Freedom Forum event!  Its objective was to discuss the meaning of freedom and expansive global visions of Black liberation in light of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Through an intergenerational dialogue between students and faculty, the panel traced the election's local, national, and global...
  • Professor Erik McDuffie
    Professor Erik McDuffie featured in the Illinois News Bureau for his new book, The Second Battle for Africa
    2024-11-27 - The department of African American Studies is pleased to announce that Dr. McDuffie's new book, The Second Battle for Africa is now available.   The Midwest played a crucial role in the growth of Black freedom movements and in expanding the ideas of political activist Marcus Garvey in the 20th century. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign African American studies and...
  • Dr. McMillion at send-off event
    AFRO's send-off event to celebrate a one-of-a-kind MVP, Dr. Desiree McMillion
    2024-11-14 - The department of African American Studies put together a send-off event on Saturday to celebrate and recognize Dr. Desiree McMillion and all of her contributions to the AFRO unit!AFRO wanted to honor such a decorated and well-respected individual, that not only impacted the AFRO family, but the broader Urbana-Champaign community.  She served as assistant to the department head for 7 years...
  • Dr. Eddie O'Byrn
    The Humanities Research Institute recognizes professor Eddie O'Byrn, '24-'25 HRI faculty fellow's research
    2024-10-31 - HRI conducted an interview with Dr. Eddie O'Byrn regarding his research as a 2024-2025 HRI faculty fellow.  He discusses his current book project Existence Precedes Enslavement, what drives his research, and the impact of the fellowship program. To find out more, please read the full article here.
  • Professor Candice Jenkins, executive officer (EO) of African American Studies
    Candice Jenkins, professor and head of African American Studies selected as fellow for The Big Ten Academic Alliance
    2024-10-09 - CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Big Ten Academic Alliance recently announced the 2024-25 fellows for its Academic Leadership Program and ...
  • Abdul Alkalimat (McWorter), Professor Emeritus
    Professor emeritus of African American studies donates papers to Archives
    2024-10-01 - The faculty and personal papers of Gerald McWorter, a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign professor emeritus of African American studies and of information sciences, show the arc of a freedom narrative, from his ancestors’ founding of New Philadelphia, Illinois — the first U.S. town to be incorporated by a Black man — to McWorter’s scholarly work in Black studies and his...
  • Fall 2024 Open House
    2024-09-25 - The department of African American Studies hosted it's annual fall Open House where we welcomed AFRO's major and minor students to the new '24 academic year, as well as engaged in good food and conversation.  The turnout was insightful for both the students and faculty.  Thank you to all that came out! Here is a closer look at the festivities.
  • Professor Bobby J Smith
    Congratulations Dr. Bobby J Smith II for being promoted to associate professor
    2024-09-20 - We here at the department of African American Studies are proud to relay that professor Bobby Smith has moved up the ranks from professor to associate professor!  Please click on the link to see the acknowledgement from the College of LAS.
  • Dr. Sundiata Cha-Jua
    Professor Sundiata Cha-Jua on African Americans and reparations
    2024-04-18 - Support for reparations for people of African descent to compensate for slavery and racial oppression is growing because U.S. political and corporate leaders have retreated from a commitment to racial justice, says Sundiata Cha-Jua, an Illinois professor of history and of African American studies. Read the full article here.
  • Alma Mater
    Hiring for Fall 2024: Professor (Open Rank) focused on Black Health and Wellness
    2023-09-15 - The department invites applications for a full-time tenure-track Assistant Professor or full-time tenured Associate or Full Professor in Black Health and Wellness. The rank is open. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary faculty and lead efforts to address issues of Health Policy and/or Health and Wellness among Black populations. The area of specialty is ...

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College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Department of African American Studies
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Urbana, IL 61801

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Email: afro-public@illinois.edu

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