UW-Madison African American Studies

Join us on Sunday, January 28th, in the Education Building, Room 159, for an impactful discussion hosted by the Havens Wright Center for Social Justice. Poet, scholar, organizer, and filmmaker Too Black, alongside Professor Rasul Mowatt from North Carolina State University, will explore the themes of race, space, and state institutions in “Laundering Black Rage.” The evening will include free books, food, and powerful insights.

"As an African American scholar who has studied the Harlem Renaissance and the experiences of Black Americans living in Denmark, a country I’ve visited 18 times, I have been retracing Larsen’s footsteps in Copenhagen for the last two years." — Dr. Ethelene Whitmire in "Looking for the Restless Soul of Nella Larsen in Copenhagen" Published today in the New York Times, Dr. Ethelene Whitmire explores the life and literature of transcendent American writer Nella Larsen during her time abroad in Copenhagen before the publication of her two novels, "Quicksand" (1928) and "Passing"(1929). Whitmire examines the context of the city that once surrounded Larsen's life and highlights how one of "Quicksand"'s characters, Helga Crane, reexamined views on Blackness in Denmark compared to her experience in the United States; these observations led some to believe the novel to be semi-autobiographical. Read Whitmire's full piece here: https://lnkd.in/gyvTiMQz Dr. Ethelene Whitmire is a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison affiliated with the Departments of African American Studies, German, Nordic, and Slavic, and Gender & Women’s Studies. She was a 2016-2017 Fulbright Scholar and visiting professor at the University of Copenhagen’s Center for Transnational American Studies. Her studies focus on African American experience, Scandinavian studies, 20th-century United States history, and transnational African American experience.

During the May 2024 commencement season, the University of Wisconsin-Madison honored Dr. Reverend Alexander Gee, an African American Studies alumnus, with an honorary degree in recognition of his lifelong dedication to advancing racial equality in the State of Wisconsin. Dr. Gee is a distinguished community activist, educator, and founder of initiatives that promote Black excellence and leadership. This spring, he will return to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to teach a seven-week, one-credit course. In this course, Reverend Gee plans to guide students in exploring the evolution of the Civil Rights movement and how they can actively contribute to social change through their academic pursuits. In the fall 2024 issue of our newsletter, we spoke with Reverend Gee about his community work, his upcoming course, and what he thinks may be next in his pursuits. Throughout our conversation, he reflects on his transformative experiences at UW-Madison and the inspiration behind his non-profits. With a strong emphasis on state and even national engagement, Dr. Gee envisions his current project, the Center for Black Culture and Excellence, as a vibrant hub for innovation and cultural expression. He encourages students to connect their passions with practical resources, aiming to embolden the next generation of leaders to drive meaningful change within their communities. Read the newsletter now to delve into Reverend Gee’s lifelong vision for a more equitable future: https://lnkd.in/gJegEiRN ? ? ? ? Photo by Althea Dotzour (UW–Madison)

Reminder to students: project proposals for the 1st Annual Undergraduate Symposium in African American Studies are due this Sunday, December 15th. We are seeking projects from all ranges of disciplines and mediums: research essays, theatre performances, art, poetry, history projects, political theory presentations, and more. Have you completed a project in an African American Studies class? Consider submitting: https://lnkd.in/gRXEnEyA

2025 marks our 55th anniversary as a department on UW-Madison's campus. In September, we will host a Symposium for our alumni, friends, and current students entitled "Celebrating 55 Years of Scholarship, Leadership, and Activism". Click here to indicate your interest in attending and learn more about the symposium: https://lnkd.in/gJReJJp9

The department has published the first edition of our bi-annual newsletter. In this edition, we interviewed community activist Rev. Dr. Alex Gee?and discussed Black excellence and his Spring 2025 UW course, documented Dr. Whitmire's co-curated exhibition "Nordic Utopia? African Americans in the 20th Century", sourced book and music recommendations from faculty, interviewed current students, and more. Read now: https://lnkd.in/gJegEiRN

Dr. Jessica Lee Stovall has been awarded the Paul and Kate Farmer English Journal Writing Award for her article “Black Teachers’ Use of Liberatory Design to Promote Literacies of Healing” co-written with Lamar Timmons-Long, Thomas J. Rodney, and Taylor Hall. This award will be given at the NCTE Annual Convention. Read Dr. Stovall's article here: https://lnkd.in/gfiBJQz3... Congratulations Dr. Stovall!

Professor Christy Clark-Pujara’s?"Dark Work: The Business of Slavery in Rhode Island" is exhibited at the John Brown House Museum through the Rhode Island Historical Society in Providence, Rhode Island. The exhibit will be on view through 2027. The Rhode Island Historical Society, a Smithsonian Affiliate, was founded in 1822 and is the fourth-oldest state historical society in the U.S. An online supplement to the exhibit can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gABtebEz

Pick up the latest edition of The Capital City Hues to read more about Dr. Ethelene Whitmire's "Nordic Utopia? African Americans in the 20th Century" exhibit that is currently on view at the Chazen Museum of Art. This exhibition will be open now through November 10th before traveling to New York, New York.