Campus News

Africa Consortium Sets First Area Conference

Juliana Nfah-Abbenyi

Juliana Nfah-Abbenyi, Ph.D., writer, literary critic, and professor of English at the University of Southern Mississippi, will be the keynote speaker Friday, March 24, at the Africa Consortium's first Capital Region-wide conference. The day-long conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom on the uptown University at Albany campus. Also known by her pen name, Makuchi, Nfah-Abbenyi is a scholar on Cameroon. She has a Ph.D. in comparative literature from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

Students, faculty, and community members who have an interest in Africa and the African diaspora are welcome.

Two panels will showcase the work of individuals who challenge "Afro-Pessimism" and maintain their commitment to Africa and the African diaspora through study, research, publications, and community development. A student panel will provide an opportunity for selected student papers to be delivered. A film resources guide will be made available. One roundtable will focus specifically on supporting sustainable projects for Africa.

The Africa Consortium envisions a Capital Region community interested in learning more about Africa, the African diaspora, culture, and global contributions. This conference will serve as a catalyst for future study and discussion.

The group aims to strengthen scholarship as well as offer educational opportunities and positive models for pedagogy, advocacy, and change.

Sponsors include the University at Albany Libraries, the Institute for Research on Women, and the School of Public Health.

For more information, contact Deborah LaFond at (518) 442-3599.