Washington University in St. Louis senior Victoria “Tori” Harwell has been selected as a Rhodes Scholar, the 30th winner in university history. Harwell was among the 32 students nationwide selected Saturday, Nov. 11, to receive the prestigious honor that provides scholars the opportunity to earn an advanced degree at Oxford University.
Dwight A. McBride, a prominent scholar in the fields of race and literary studies, co-founded the James Baldwin Review in 2015, which currently boasts over 20,000 annual downloads.
Renowned scholar and AFAS faculty member, Dwight McBride, along with Justin Joyce, discuss their collaboration in co-founding the James Baldwin Review.
Carol Camp Yeakey's two-year study, conducted in collaboration with Vetta Thompson and Will Ross, explores the increasing involvement of corporate investors in the single-family rental (SFR) market and its implications for renters.
This eight day Summer Institute is for St. Louis metropolitan region high school teachers who either incorporate aspects of Black culture, history, and literature in their courses or teach at a school that offers or plans to offer the AP/African American Studies course. The Institute centers St. Louis as the focal point for various themes and topics related to African & African American Studies.
Our faculty pursue interests across the spectrum of African and African American studies. In addition to our expertise in core subjects areas like English, history, sociology, and anthropology, AFAS faculty are actively engaged in interdisciplinary, practice-oriented fields across Washington University, including social work and public health, architecture and design, computer science, business, law, and education.
The department regularly sponsors lectures and events, such as plays, film festivals, exhibits, field trips, and panels and speakers, which focus on contemporary or perennial topics of interest in all areas of the Black experience. In many cases, guest lecturers and artists visit classes and interact directly with our students and others across the campus community. Through our scholarship, teaching, and broader engagement activities we seek to foster a vibrant and impactful social and intellectual community of African and African American Studies.
Join the Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity & Equity (CRE2) for a lecture and discussion with Walter Johnson, author of The Broken Heart of America: St. Louis and the Violent History of the United States (2020) which was a finalist for both the Los Angeles Times prize for History and the National Circle Book Critics award for Nonfiction. Johnson is a founding member of the Commonwealth Project, which brings together academics, artists, and activists in an effort to imagine, foster, and support revolutionary social change, beginning in St. Louis. Reception to follow.
AFAS Alumni '10, Dr. Heather Skanes, highlighted in the New York Times for her work surrounding Black Maternal Health
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Heather Skanes, MD, (she/her) is a dedicated and compassionate obstetrician and gynecologist, committed to providing patient-centered care to the community of Birmingham, Alabama, through her practice at Oasis Women’s Health. A native of Birmingham, Dr. Skanes is deeply rooted in her community and actively supports causes such as Black Lives Matter, women's birth rights, and the empowerment of women everywhere. Dr. Skanes pursued her undergraduate education at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in African and African American Studies. Her academic background reflects her commitment to understanding and addressing healthcare disparities within the Black community. The New York Times recently featured Dr. Skanes in an article, highlighting her significant contributions to improving Black Maternal Health, further underscoring her dedication to equitable and accessible healthcare for all.
Shanti Parikh on the College Board's Advanced Placement Course on African American Studies
Shanti Parikh, a professor & the Chair of the Department of African & African American Studies, discusses the new advanced placement course in African American Studies and the teachings of Black history in the classroom.
AFAS Summer Institute Recap
Enjoy a brief recap of our inaugural Summer Institute, where we welcomed educators from the St. Louis metropolitan area. These educators either integrate elements of Black culture, history, and literature into their courses or teach at a school that currently offers or intends to introduce the AP/African American Studies course.
The faculty of the AFAS (African and African-American Studies) department is leading the way in research and public advocacy, both in St. Louis and on a national scale. To discover more about the incredible work our faculty is engaged in, click the "Read More" button below.
ASA's mission is to advance political, social, cultural, and economic awareness about the African continent by engaging individuals in dialogue that will establish a deeper understanding and appreciation of the dynamic cultures within the continent.
The mission of the BAC is to support the professional and personal development of WashU black alumni, to assist in the recruitment and retention of African American students, and to enhance the continued growth and development of the university.
Black Anthology was founded in 1989. It is an annual performance that is written, choreographed, directed, and produced entirely by Washington University students.