Past Events




50 Years of African History at Penn: A conference in honor of the retirement of Lee Cassanelli 

May 2, 2025 at -

Professor Lee Cassanelli is retiring from the University of Pennsylvania this Spring after a half century of service. To celebrate his dedication to his students—both graduate and undergraduate—and to his academic…



Living the Hard Promise | Challenges to Higher Education: Faculty Perspectives on Our Shifting Landscape

Daniel Hopkins, Douglas Jerolmack, Tukufu Zuberi, Jeffrey Kallberg
Apr 28, 2025 at -

Join us for a timely discussion of the impacts of recent federal actions across higher education and here at Penn. Faculty panelists Daniel Hopkins, Douglas Jerolmack, and Tukufu Zuberi will join Interim Dean Jeffrey…



Toward Home: Toni Morrison and the Adventure of the 21st Century

Student & Community Member Led
Jaimee Martin, Qamar Coleman, Bernita Mapp
Apr 27, 2025 at -

"Toward Home", named in honor of Toni Morrison's 10th novel, will bring together West Philadelphia community members, students, and Penn's Africana studies department to discuss themes from Morrison's…



Kwibuka 31

The 31st Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda
Apr 25, 2025 at -

Join the Center for Africana Studies and the Society for African Internationals at Penn (SAIP) for the 31st Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda. This Friday, April 25, 2025, at 6:15pm meet…



Race & Sports 2025

N. Jeremi Duru
Apr 24, 2025 at -

The Race and Sports event returns in 2025 thanks to a partnership between the Wharton Coalition for Equity and Opportunity, the Center for Africana Studies, and the Wharton Sports Analytics and Business Initiative (…



African Languages & Culture Day 2025

Apr 23, 2025 at -

Come and experience the beauty and hospitality of African cultures through songs, skits, dance, poems and delicious cuisine!



In the Skin of a Lion

K. Anthony Jones
Apr 23, 2025 at

We welcome you to listen to K. Anthony Jones, Ph.D. Candidate at…



Artist In Residence: Dr. Gladys Ijeoma Akunna, Ph.D.

Introducing the Power of Africanized Dance/Movement Therapy in Community
Dr. Gladys Ijeoma Akunna, Ph.D.
Apr 16, 2025 - Apr 21, 2025 at -

Dr. Gladys Ijeoma Akunna, Ph.D. is an inspiring teacher, researcher, psychotherapist, author, and artist driven by an innovative pioneering spirit. With her deep understanding of Western-oriented…



Taxation in Fragile States: A Case Study of Somalia

Brown Bag Series
Gayatri Sahgal
Apr 15, 2025 at -

The third in the Penn Africanists Brown Bag Series this semester will take place on April 15, at noon in Room 330-A, 3401 Walnut Street.

The presenter will be Dr. Gayatri Sahgal, who received her Ph.D. from…



What Do We Owe Our Ancestors?

Africana Lecture Series: African-American
Daniel Black
Apr 10, 2025 at -

Listen to the eloquent Daniel Black discuss "What Do We Owe Our Ancestors?"