About Africana Studies

Africana Studies is an interdisciplinary field focused on the experiences and perspectives of African and African descended people across the globe in the past and present. The field recognizes and celebrates the diverse expressions of Blackness and Africanness across the world in terms of religion, language, sexuality and gender, while also recognizing the interconnected and shared struggle for liberation among Africans and African Diasporans in the Americas, Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Largely created in response to Black student demands for more inclusive and historically accurate curriculum in the 1960s, Africana Studies is committed both to challenging Eurocentric modes of knowledge production and transmission and serving the Black community.

The Africana Studies program at Xavier University was founded in 2009 and led by Dr. Tyrone Williams until 2019. It was revived in 2021 through the work of Dr. Kayla Wheeler (RIGS/Theology), Dr. ShaDawn Battle (RIGS), Dr. Mich Nyawalo (RIGS), Dr. Juan Suárez Ontaneda (Spanish), Dr. Tyrone Williams (English), Dr. Adam Clark (Theology), Dr. Jamie Trnka (German), Dr. Gary Lewandowski (Computer Science), and Dr. Sherrae Mack (CDI)

What can you do with an Africana Studies minor?

Africana Studies draws from a broad range of disciplines including history, sociology, literature, psychology, art, anthropology, and political science, which makes it compatible with any discipline. Many of our classes are part of the CORE Curriculum, which allows students to declare an Africana Studies minor without prolonging their time at Xavier. Africana Studies’ interdisciplinary perspective helps students develop their writing, research, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication skills. Taking Africana Studies classes prepares students for several careers including in education, law, medicine, social work, and public service.

Contact Information:

Dr. Kayla Wheeler
wheelerk8@xavier.edu
406 Schott Hall
Phone: 513-745-3282

To register for the minor, please fill out for form that can be found here.