Penn State Africana Research Center

02/27/2026

We are excited to share this morning's Penn State Today article promoting Africana Research Center Director Sherita L. Johnson's new book, Mixing: Race, Higher Education, and the Case of Clyde Kennard, which examines the life and death of Clyde Kennard, a Black Korean War veteran whose attempts to enroll at Hattiesburg’s then all-white Mississippi Southern College — now the University of Southern Mississippi — in the 1950s were met with the institutional racism of the late Jim Crow era.

Many congrats to Dr. Johnson and her coauthors for shining a needed light on this heroic figure from the Civil Rights Movement.

Read article here:

https://www.psu.edu/news/liberal-arts/story/new-book-chronicles-black-mans-attempt-integrate-mississippi-college?utm_audience=Faculty&utm_source=newswire&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Penn%20State%20Today&utm_content=02-26-2026-21-03&utm_term=Research%20-%204

11/18/2025

We were honored to host distinguished Professor of African American Studies Erica Armstrong Dunbar of Emory University as part of our annual Barbara Jordan Lecture Series.

Professor Armstrong Dunbar’s research and work as a historian and writer shed light on the powerful untold stories of Black women who lived, loved, and resisted in a nation that denied their humanity. Together with Prof. Sherita L. Johnson (director, Africana Research Center), Dunbar discussed her work as historical consultant and co-executive producer on the hit HBO drama The Gilded Age.

We're grateful to everyone who joined us on November 5 and to our cosponsors: Penn State History Department, The Center for Black Digital Research, and The Rock Ethics Institute.

The Barbara Jordan Lecture Series continues our tradition of bringing groundbreaking scholars and activists to Penn State to engage with the critical conversations that shape our understanding of justice, equality, and resistance.

11/04/2025

Join us tommorrow, for the Barbara Jordan Lecture Series!
Featuring acclaimed historian Dr. Erica Armstrong Dunbar
🗓️ Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025
🕒 Reception at 3 PM | Lecture 4–6 PM
📍 Robb Hall, Hintz Family Alumni Center

Dr. Dunbar will present “From the Page to the Stage,” exploring 19th-century Black activism and her work on HBO’s The Gilded Age.
Hosted by the Africana Research Center, this annual lecture honors the legacy of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan and celebrates Black scholarship and public intellectualism.

10/20/2025

Save the Date!

Join us for the Barbara Jordan Lecture Series!
Featuring acclaimed historian Dr. Erica Armstrong Dunbar
🗓️ Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025
🕒 Reception at 3 PM | Lecture 4–6 PM
📍 Robb Hall, Hintz Family Alumni Center

Dr. Dunbar will present “From the Page to the Stage: Introducing 19th-Century African American Activism to New Audiences" and her work on HBO’s The Gilded Age.

Hosted by the Africana Research Center, this annual lecture honors the legacy of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan.

All are welcome—spread the word!

09/26/2025

Greeting ARC Community!

Last week, we kicked off the Frances E.W. Harper 200 Symposium with a warm and inspiring Welcome Reception at Eisenhower Auditorium. Attendees gathered to celebrate Harper’s legacy, connect with fellow scholars and artists, and set the tone for a powerful weekend of reflection and creativity. See moments from this beautiful evening of community and conversation!

Stay tuned for more photos to come from this amazing event.

09/16/2025

The Center for Black Digital Research and the Africana Research Center are proud to be featured in Penn State Today for their roles in organizing:
Frances E.W. Harper 200: Looking Back, Moving Forward
📅 September 19–21, 2025

This landmark symposium commemorates the 200th anniversary of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. The event will include:
• Thought-provoking panels and keynote lectures
• A celebratory reception honoring Dr. Frances Smith Foster, a leading scholar of African American literature
• Reflections on Harper’s legacy and its relevance to contemporary movements

We’re honored to help bring Harper’s story to the forefront and invite you to be part of it.
🔗 Read the full article in Penn State Today here:

Penn State's Center for Black Digital Research and Africana Research Center will host the symposium, “Frances E. W. Harper at 200: Commemorating Her Life and Legacy,” Sept. 19-21 at the University.

09/12/2025

Just one week to go!

We’re counting down to the *Frances E.W. Harper: Looking Back, Moving Forward 1825–2025 Symposium*, happening **September 19–21**!
Secure your spot today: Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScLyMq0RGYSExYEObdmWUFDtPxlIq3DuiynitwfJB4a2ARpWg/viewform

08/21/2025

We're just one month away! Here is a sneak peek at the exciting panels we have in store. Register here https://coloredconventions.org/harper-200-symposium/

08/12/2025

SAVE THE DATE: We are excited to co-host Sept. 19-21. We invite you to attend in person! The weekend festivities include a dance performance, scholarly panels, poetry readings, receptions, and more. Most events are free. Learn more & register at:

Frances E. W. Harper 200:Looking Back, Moving Forward, 1825–2025 Sept. 19–21, 2025 How do we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (1825-2025), the most prolific African American writer of the nineteenth century? As part of its year-long programming, the Ce...

08/11/2025

ARC Director Dr. Sherita Johnson explains why Frances Harper is so important to understanding HBO's "The Gilded Age".

LisaGay Hamilton plays Philadelphia poet, author, and suffragist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper in 'The Gilded Age.'

05/07/2025

Greetings,

What a great way to close out the year with the ARC's workshop on "Demystifying Academic Publishing," presented by David Aycock, Executive Director, Penn State University Press! He shared great strategies for finding the right publisher, explaining the publishing process, covering the basics of publishing contracts, and much more. Plans to make this workshop an annual event are underway! Penn State University Press

04/07/2025

Greetings ARC community!

Join Penn State University Press Executive Director David Aycock for a 90-minute seminar, Friday, May 2nd, 9:30am - 11:00am, on how to get published.

In the first hour, David will cover high-level strategies for approaching scholarly publishers, working with university presses, and navigating publishing contracts and agreements. The final 30 minutes will be an open Q&A and discussion—so bring your questions!