Reflecting Black: 400 Years of African American Life and History Research Symposium

This year, 2019, marks the four hundredth anniversary of the arrival of the first documented Africans to the North American continent. Commemorating 1619, the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) College of Humanities and Social Sciences is hosting a symposium reflecting on 400 Years of African American Life and History. The symposium seeks to foster critical reflection on blacks' experiences with racism and various forms of structural oppression throughout United States history. The symposium also aims to celebrate the beauty and richness of African American culture and highlight achievements and contributions African Americans have made to various sectors in the United States since 1619.

The day will be filled with opportunities to have serious dialogue about race and the black experience with scholars and emerging scholars from institutions throughout the United States including: Yale, Vanderbilt, Delaware State, University of Oklahoma, University of Colorado-Boulder, Pepperdine University, the College of New Jersey, Rice, UT Austin, UH, UT San Antonio, Prairie View A&M, Stephen F. Austin, UHD, and HCC.  Invite your colleagues and students to join the meaningful conversations.

All UHD students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend. The research symposium is also free and open to the public.

This symposium is sponsored by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, Department of History, Humanities, and Languages, Department of Social Sciences, Center for Critical Race Studies, Center for Latino Studies, Cultural Enrichment Center, Title IX, Equity and Diversity, and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.