The close of an academic year always provides an opportunity to reflect. African American Studies has experienced a good year. We, especially, are proud of our graduates. On behalf of the faculty and staff I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of our graduating seniors and Masters students!   I, especially, want to congratulate Daniel Soto for his meritorious achievement in African American Studies. We salute you all on achieving this milestone and wish you every success as you begin a new phase in your lives whether it marks the continuation of your academic pursuits or your entry into an exciting career. You are the recipients of an excellent education, a public education. Remember that places extraordinary responsibilities upon you. Former South African President Nelson Mandela reminds us that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. …Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation.”
The 2005-2006 academic year has been an exciting and productive one.  The department's visibility and profile continues to grow through our many activities which are highlighted in this newsletter. 
           This year marked the centennial of the founding of the Niagara Movement, and African American Studies played a key role in organizing and hosting the 90th anniversary celebration of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.  African American Studies faculty have been sought out as experts by National Public Radio, USA Today and other media outlets. 
           Fall semester 2006 promises to be equally busy and even more exciting as we launch new partnerships and programs. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the faculty and staff for all of their hard work.  I hope you enjoy these end-of-the-year news and notes and I wish you all a productive summer!
--Dr. Lillian S. Williams >>>> More

Dr. Henry Retires
After more than 30 years of service to the Department, Dr Keith Henry retired in December. Dr. Henry is widely recognized for his scholarship which focuses upon Black political life in Toronto and Harlem. Currently Dr. Henry is writing a literary analysis of the work of the eminent Caribbean-Canadian novelist and short story writer, Austin Clarke. Professor Henry has taught courses in the four major areas of study in African American Studies. His service to the department has been extensive. He is a former chair  and he has served on key committees within the University and  the department.  Professor Henry will continue to teach part time for African American Studies through academic year 2006-2007.  We congratulate Dr. Henry upon his retirement and we wish him every success in the future.
 

100th Anniversary of the Niagara Movement
The Department helped organize the commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Niagara Movement during the summer and fall of 2005.  

Former mayor of Buffalo, Anthony Masiello addressing the press conference held by the Department on the 100th anniversary of the Niagara Movement Standing next to him from left to right are Sheila Fleming-Hunter (President of the ASALH), Renae Kimble (Niagara County legislator), and Chair Lillian S. Williams

Among the highlights was the performance of the “Ode to the Niagara Movement,” a symphony composed by adjunct lecturer Rey Scott, to commemorate the founding of the Niagara Movement. >>>>More
 
 

New Faculty Member Joins the Department
Professor Keith Griffler joined the African American Studies Department in August, 2005. He comes to the department from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio.  Dr. Griffler’s research re-centers the history of the Underground Railroad onto the African American frontline communities in the port cities and towns along the Ohio River which gave the impetus for the formation and growth of the region's underground freedom movement. Dr. Griffler is also completing a documentary on the Underground Railroad, co-produced with Kevin Burke of the University of Cincinnati, supported by major grants from the Ohio Historical Society and the Charles Phelps Taft Memorial Fund. A previous documentary short film titled Wade in the Water, won four national awards, including first place from the National Broadcasting Society in 2002. >>>>More

Department co-hosts National Conference
The Department was the co-host of the 90th Annual Conference of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, (ASALH), held from October 5-9, 2005. Over 900 delegates came to Buffalo from across the country and Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and Canada. This conference was the largest ASALH Conference in recent memory.  As part of the conference activities, Professors James Pappas and Lillian S. Williams curated an exhibit “African American Studies Celebrates the Niagara Movement:  Black Protest Reborn, 1905-2005” which was displayed at the Buffalo/Niagara International Airport from September-December, 2005.  The conference was held at the Hyatt Hotel in Buffalo, NY.  Professor Williams co-chaired the program committee with Professor Felix Armfield of Buffalo State College.  UB Professors Carl Nightingale of American Studies and Jason Young of History also served on the program committee. >>>>More
 

Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day
The Department of African American Studies organized a special program for “Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day.” The department was pleased to partner with the Student Life Intercultural and Diversity Center to sponsor a successful program.Eighteen boys and girls and their parents toured the department and learned about faculty and staff work life.  Professors Lillian S. Williams and Keith Griffler lectured on “Mary Burnett Talbert and Buffalo’s Black History” and the “Underground Railroad,” respectively. Ms. Glendora Johnson-Cooper, social science bibliographer, guided students on a tour of the Undergraduate Library and the special exhibit "The City in Ruins: The Great Earthquake & Fires of 1906.” Other activities included cultural crafts and dance lessons with Vicki Sapp, Director of Student Life, and her staff.  Ms. Deborah Pierce-Tate, African American Studies secretary, coordinated this successful event.
 

Outstanding Citizens of Western New York
Our department chair, Dr. Lillian S. Williams, was selected by The Buffalo News as one of the "Outstanding Citizens of Western New York" for 2006.  The award was granted  to Dr. Williams, and Madeline Scott, president of the Afro-American Historical Society, for their spirited campaign to have Buffalo reformer Mary Burnett Talbert inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York, and organizing activities for the Niagara Movement centennial and the annual convention of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History that led to an infusion of about a million dollars into the local economy. >>>>More
 

Graduating students from our department are reminded that we are interested in your future and the career path you take with your degree in African American Studies. 
 

One of our graduating seniors, Kerry-Anne Marshall

We encourage you to keep in touch by visiting our Web site regularly, and completing our alumni contact form at this site. We welcome photos along with your current professional information.

Alva McFarland is 
graduating with a Masters degree
 
 
 
 
 
 

From class of 1971:  Beverly F. Druitt, who went on to get her law degree from Rutgers School of Law in 1974, is at present senior attorney with the National Labor Relations Board in Washington, D.C. >>>More

From class of 1985:  Thomas William Gordon. He is currently working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

From class of 1998:  Jude Francois. He went on to get his law degree from University of Connecticut. He is at present practicing law in Connecticut. 

From class of 2004:  Paul O' Riley. He went on to obtain a teaching certificate at the International TESOL College in Houston, Texas. He is now  teaching in the United Arab Emirates.
 
 

August 2005: Dr. Y. Lulat's book, A History of African Higher Education: From Antiquity to the Present, was published by Praeger. >>>>More

October 20-23, 2005: Professor Peter Ekeh helped to organize the Sixth Annual Conference and Meeting of the Urhobo Historical Society in Sapele, Nigeria.>>>>More

February 2, 2006: Dr. Lillian S. Williams, presented a paper titled “Bridges across the Nations: Club Women as Activists, Culture Bearers, and Community Builders," at a conference in Pulawy, Poland. >>>More

March 15, 2006 – April 23, 2006: Professor James Pappas had an exhibition of his paintings at the  String Room Gallery, Wells College, Aurora, NY. The exhibition, titled "Works by James Pappas: Paintings, Prints and Drawings from the Inner Space Series," was well received. >>>More

April 22, 2006: Dr. Keith Griffler presented the paper “They Shall Not Be Free Among Us: Canada as Destination for Fugitive Slaves and the Meaning of the Underground Railroad” at the Organization of American Historians Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.

May 4, 2006: Dr. Keith  Griffler presented the paper, "Race, Class, and Historical Agency in the Modern World Economy: An African Diaspora Perspective," as part of the Baldy Center for Law and Social Policy’s Buffalo Seminar on Racial Justice.
 
 

May 3, 2006: Adjunct faculty member, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science, Claude E. Welch Jr., was given the "TIAA-CREF Lifetime Achievement Award." The Department congratulates him on receiving this prestigious award.>>>More
 
 

Spring 2006: Dr. Jack Meacham, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor, has announced his retirement at the end of this semester.  Dr. Meacham, a psychologist, has been a long time adjunct professor in the department. He taught a course that focused upon the psychology of race, and participated in AAS workshops.  We thank Dr. Meacham for his contributions to African American Studies and wish him every success in his retirement. >>>More