Department of Africana Studies

Kent-Smith in a jacket, white shirt and bowtie, sitting pensively
Zuri Kent-Smith: forward-thinking, charismatic, passionate and unapologetic. Through his activism on campus and off, the senior philosophy and Africana studies major leaves his mark on Pitt.
woman singing joyfully
The January event, held on the 50th anniversary of the sit-in, included a candlelight procession recreating the march from the student union to the Cathedral and a ceremony passing the mantle of Black Action Society leadership from one generation to the next.
Patel in a tan coat in front of a body of water
Bhavini Patel (A&S ’16) is combining her deep personal knowledge of immigrant communities with her research at the University of Oxford on extended refugee displacement.
Oronde S. Sharif
Based on poet and playwright Langston Hughes’ adaptation of the classic nativity story, "Black Nativity" is marking its 24th year at the University of Pittsburgh, bringing a distinctive multicultural holiday experience to the city of Pittsburgh.
headshot in black and white of Bob "B.J." Johnson
Papers from B.J. Johnson — a teacher and dancer who was integral in founding Pitt's Department of Africana Studies — and from the Kuntu Theatre and its founder, Vernell Lillie, shed light on the performing arts community of Pittsburgh.
Yolanda Covington-Ward, an associate professor of Africana Studies, has been honored with the Elliot P. Skinner Book Award from...