Afro-Latin American and Afro-Latino Studies Initiative

Abstract

The intersections of race, ethnicity, and migration continue to shape contemporary society through the complex confluence of blackness and identity throughout the Americas. Historically, over 10 million Africans were enslaved in the Americas, with over 90 percent distributed throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Today, African-descended populations in Latin America total over 150 million, and of the 57 million Latinos in the U.S. nearly one quarter identify as Afro-Latino. Given this reality and Pitt’s existing strengths in Africana Studies and Latin American Studies, the aim of this Initiative is to create a pilot program over AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 featuring spring symposia/conferences, summer workshops, student certificate programs, and a graduate study abroad seminar. These activities contribute to the following goals in developing the fields of Afro-Latin American and Afro-Latino Studies across the University of Pittsburgh: to advance multidisciplinary scholarship, academic exchange, and teaching; to enhance programming and community engagement; and to foster student research, personalized academic development, and intercultural competencies. Anticipated outcomes include data collection and analysis of surveys regarding scholarly exchange, programming, and course development to enrich future activities, funding, and opportunities for collaboration.

Principal Investigator

Michele Reid-Vazquez
Africana Studies