March 20, 2011 - 4:36pm
'U' Center for Afroamerican and African Studies celebrates 40th anniversary
BY DEBJANI MUKHERJEE
Correction Appended: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported that CAAS provides scholarships for students. The department does not.
The Center for Afroamerican and African Studies is holding a three-day celebration to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
Kevin Gaines, director of CAAS, said the occasion, called “CAAS at 40: Research and Community Partnerships,” is a celebration of the department’s work and its effect on society including how the faculty’s research has far-reaching effects on communities in both the United States and Africa.
“The event will highlight the product of the department and the academic studies at the University,” Gaines said.
The anniversary celebration kicked off yesterday at the University’s Alumni Association Center featuring keynote speaker Grace Lee Boggs, who is a prominent scholar and African American rights activist. Boogs took part in the Black Liberation Movement, along with her husband James Boggs, and worked with famous activists like Malcolm X.
Boggs is currently involved in Detroit Summer — a program directed at stimulating and channeling the creativity of youth in Detroit that she co-founded in 1992, according to the CAAS event itinerary.
Gaines said he expects faculty, staff, students, alumni and visitors from the Southeast Michigan area to attend the events.
“It really helps to bring a new culture of being and thinking as it relates to the city of Detroit,” Gaines said.
Yesterday’s welcome event also featured an array of musical artists. Neo-soul artist Dwele, spoken word artists Blair and Dee, University student and spoken word artist Walter Lacy and student musical group The Cypher performed at the Michigan League Ballroom, following the keynote address.
The series of events will continue tomorrow at the University’s Museum of Art, and will feature three faculty panels and one Intergenerational CAAS alumni panel of people who graduated from the 1940s through the 1990s, according to the CAAS event itinerary.
The last panel discussion will culminate in a conversation between jazz artist Randy Weston and Maurice Jackson, an associate professor of history at Georgetown University.
The final day of the celebration will take place on Saturday at the Rackham Amphitheatre, and will consist of a Graduate Student Lecture Panel, followed by a performance by Randy Weston at the Kerry Town concert house.
Founded in 1970, CAAS has expanded from a faculty of 13 to almost 39 faculty members and 14 faculty associates, according to a University press release, and is one of the preeminent centers for Afroamerican and African studies.
“CAAS is an integral part of the University of Michigan,” Gaines said. “We partner with departments across LSA and the professional schools and are deeply entrenched and engaged with the life of the University.”
The department hopes to continue its current successes and strengths, Gaines said.
“Our outlook has been international since our inception,” he said.
