Xavier University, the historically Black educational institution in New Orleans, has announced that it will establish an African American and African Diasporic Cultures Studies degree program. The new program will allow the university’s students to delve fully into the lived experiences of Black Americans and people of the African diaspora while empowering them to consider how their own careers might lead to transformative new Black and African diasporic futures. Up to now, the university has only offered minor degree programs in African American diaspora studies and Afro-Latin American and Caribbean studies.
“This new program will provide a distinctly transnational educational opportunity to our students that is in line with our geography and mission,” notes Anne McCall, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Xavier University. By challenging our students to explore their history and how it is directly connected to social justice efforts happening today, we are creating individuals that are both self-aware and globally competent.”
The launch of the new degree program is partially funded by a $500,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
This is beautiful and rare, since so few HBCUs have programs in African American+ Studies.