African American Studies at CofC

30 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE! 🧱✨

From 1996 to 2026, the College of Charleston African American Studies Program has been more than a department—it’s been an intellectual home, a cultural anchor, and a place where history is actively written. As we celebrate our 30th Anniversary, we’re looking back at our roots and honoring the journeys of those who walked these halls before us.

To kick off this milestone year, we need our alumni network to help us map our legacy with two major initiatives:

📊 The Alumni Profile Survey
Where has your AAST journey taken you? We are building a comprehensive database to track our graduates' professional milestones and community impact. This is your chance to pour back into the concrete we all grew from—indicate how you’d like to plug back in as a future guest speaker, panelist, mentor, or career advisor!

🏆 The "30-for-30" Alumni Spotlight
We are celebrating the history of the culture by highlighting the journeys, professional milestones, and leadership of 30 outstanding AAST graduates throughout the academic year.

👉 How to get featured:
Completing the survey automatically nominates you for the spotlight series! To be considered for the initial feature selections, make sure you submit your form by August 15, 2026.

Let’s honor the legacy and respect the journey. Tap the link in our bio to fill out the Alumni Profile Survey and 30-for-30 Nomination form today.

Keep an eye out for upcoming anniversary events and limited-edition swag announcements dropping soon!

✨ She’s That Girl. ✨

The African American Studies Program at the College of Charleston is proud to highlight the upcoming She’s That Girl Conference, presented by Curated Space Counseling & Consulting!

This empowering event is dedicated to uplifting, inspiring, and pouring into the next generation of young women. From building community to fostering mental wellness and leadership, it’s all about celebrating growth and excellence.

Drop a 💛 if you’re ready to see these future leaders thrive!

✨ Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Alison Kibbe ✨

Mark your calendars! The CofC African American Studies Program is thrilled to invite you to our next Distinguished Faculty Lecture featuring Dr. Alison Kibbe! 🧠💫

Come out for an incredible evening of scholarship, culture, and community discussion as part of our ongoing celebration of 30 years of AAST at the College of Charleston. ✊🏽✨

🗓️ When: Wednesday, February 24 @ 5:00 PM

Swipe for details, tag a friend who needs to go, and we'll see you there! 👇💛

✨ Guest Speaker Spotlight: Sara Makeba Daise ✨

The CofC AAST Program is incredibly excited to welcome alumna Sara Makeba Daise ('12) back to campus! 👑

An emerging scholar, Sara will be presenting a powerful lecture titled "What the South Asks of Us." You won’t want to miss this thoughtful dive into history, culture, and community.

📍 Where: Septima Clark Auditorium (Thaddeus Street, Jr. Education Center)
🗓️ When: Tuesday, Sept. 22 @ 5:30 PM

Swipe to see the flyer details and make sure to save the date! 👇💛

🏆 Let’s celebrate our own African American Studies student, Otis Franklin III (’28), for his recognition by The College Today! 🌟

Otis was recently highlighted for his outstanding work as part of the International African American Museum’s (IAAM) Sankofa Fellowship. He was selected for and completed the intensive two-week program that the museum holds each summer.

As part of a prestigious cohort of young, African American Studies-minded individuals, Otis completed a community service project, delivered a capstone presentation, and helped coordinate the museum's annual Juneteenth on the Yard celebration! 🎉✊🏾

We are so proud of you, Otis!

🔗 Head to the link to read Franklin’s full interview with The College Today!
https://today.charleston.edu/2026/07/07/iaam-sankofa-fellow-otis-franklin/

🎉 Huge congratulations to our very own Director of African American Studies, Dr. Kameelah Martin, on being named to the College of Charleston's prestigious Wall of Honor!

This incredible distinction celebrates her outstanding scholarship, leadership, and dedication to global education. Dr. Martin is currently leading a groundbreaking transatlantic initiative, supported by the 2024–25 US–UK Fulbright Global Challenges Teaching Award in Racial Justice, linking our AAST program with Birmingham City University’s Black Studies program in the UK. 🌟

Thank you, Dr. Martin, for your brilliant work, your inspiring mentorship, and for continuously lifting our community to new heights. Please join us in celebrating her in the comments!

💼 WE’RE HIRING: Administrative Coordinator 💼

Know someone with top-tier organizational skills who loves supporting student success and working in a global academic environment? The College of Charleston is looking for a full-time Administrative Coordinator to run the daily operations for International Studies (65%), African American Studies (32%), and African Studies (3%).

This is an excellent opportunity for a professional who excels at multi-tasking, tracking budgets, planning dynamic campus events, managing digital communications, and building positive relationships with a diverse community of students, staff, and faculty.

🌟 Why You’ll Love Working With Us:
• Great Benefits: Robust Health, Dental, and Vision insurance, paid holidays, and generous leave options (including annual, sick, and parental leave).
• Amazing Perks: Free CARTA Bus Service around Charleston and access to the Employee Tuition Assistance Program (ETAP) to continue your own studies!
• Impactful Work: Mentor student employees, help plan study abroad logistics, and keep our essential academic programs running smoothly.

📋 Quick Facts:
• Salary: $39,300 - $47,000
• Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree + administrative support experience. (Higher ed background or foreign language skills are a huge plus!)
• Closing Date: July 2, 2026

⚠️ How to Apply: Resumes alone cannot be reviewed—all applicants must fill out the official online application to qualify.

🔗 Click the link below to view the full posting and submit your application today:
➡️ https://jobs.cofc.edu/postings/18139

Congrats to Otis and Maleah on this amazing opportunity!

We are proud to introduce the 2026 cohort for the IAAM Sankofa Fellowship! 🎓

This year’s fellows are embarking on a 15-day immersive journey in Charleston, S.C. from June 7 to June 21, focused on African American history, community service, and cultural preservation. From exploring Gullah Geechee foodways with AMOR Healing Kitchen to gaining behind-the-scenes experience with our museum teams, these students are set to make a lasting impact. This program is generously funded by Pisgah Investments Foundation, Inc.

Join us in celebrating these emerging leaders as they engage with history, develop professional skills, and contribute to our "Soul(Food) of Freedom" year.

Learn more about the program and our 2026 fellows: https://lnkd.in/e5_pyjSi

Washington vs. Du Bois: The debate that changed everything. 🗣️📖

AAST 255: Critical Debates in African American Studies takes you to the front lines of the intellectual battles that shaped Black history. This semester, we’re focusing on The State of Black Education.

From the foundational theories of pioneers like W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington to the modern-day fight against institutional inequities, we’re asking the hard questions about how education can be a tool for liberation.

🗓 T/R | 12:15 PM – 1:30 PM
📍 Join the conversation.

Questions? Reach out to Dr. Anthony D. Greene at [email protected].