Five CLASS students spent their spring break presenting their research papers at the National Council for Black Studies 40th Annual Conference in Charlotte, N.C.
“Participating in this conference was the best experience of my college career,” says Jasmin Weaver, a junior majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders and minoring in African American Studies. “The conference helped me to grow intellectually. The vibes were great everywhere we went. ”
The National Conference for Black Studies was established in 1975 to formalize, develop and expand the study of the global African Diaspora. The annual conference provides a forum to share research and encourage academic excellence and social responsibility.
During the national conference, Weaver presented her research paper on the formation of Ebonics as a result of the dehumanization of enslaved Africans. She became interested in African American Studies during the second semester of her freshman year when she realized that she wanted to learn about her own heritage.
Jalyn Gordon, a political science major and AAS minor says, “Having the opportunity to be around people I aspire to be one day was a priceless benefit to attending the conference.” Gordon presented her research on the sustainability and progressiveness of two significant historically black churches in Philadelphia - Mother Bethel A.M.E. and St. Thomas Episcopal A.M.E. church.
Senior Marcus Smith also presented his paper, “The Algerian Revolution: Algerian Revolution and the Dynamics of Social Change” at the conference. As a political science major and AASs minor, he wanted to examine the Algerian revolution and its impact on the status of Algerian women post-independence.
“To attend the conference as an undergrad is extremely rare, and it did not disappoint. I was able to meet scholars whose books I’ve highlighted and read multiple times. The sense of unity and warmth was something I did not expect at an academic conference, but nevertheless was elated to see,” says Smith.
The other students who attended and presented at the conference were Da’Vonte Lyons , who is majoring in art, and DeMointe Wesley, who is majoring in English. Both are also earning minors in African American Studies.
- By Monica Byars