African American Studies - University of Houston
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African American Studies
AAS End of Year

Events Calendar

  • Oct 28 10:30 am
    AAS

    Jazz Jam Brunch

    Don’t miss the department of African American Studies’ melodious fundraiser at the DeLuxe Theater on Oct. 28 at 10:30 a.m. The Jazz Jam Brunch will feature a soulful musical journey and delightful eats while helping support academic empowerment. RSVP with a $100+ donation to a chosen AAS scholarship by Oct 16 to secure your tickets to this enriching event.

News and Events

  • Inaugural African American Studies program preps Houston highschoolers for excellence

    Inaugural African American Studies program preps Houston highschoolers for excellence

    Thirteen students from Houston-area high schools participated in the inaugural Emerge Leadership Academy (ELA), a summer program hosted by the University of Houston Department of African American Studies. The free, two-week program brought students from the Greater Houston area together on campus, ensuring their college readiness and deepening their knowledge about African American culture.

  • Symposium to Examine Maternal Health of Black Women

    Symposium to Examine Maternal Health of Black Women

    In conjunction with Black Maternal Health Week, the University of Houston Department of African American Studies presents the “Diminishing Inequalities in Maternal Health in Africa and the USA” symposium on Monday, April 17 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Student Center South, Downtown Room. 
  • Alumni Spotlight: Crayton Gerst (’21)

    Alumni Spotlight: Crayton Gerst (’21)

    Crayton Gerst recounts his artistic journey, transforming videography and photography skills learned at church into a successful freelance career. Utilizing his love for creative storytelling, Crayton finds his voice through projects across Texas, New York and Los Angeles, learning not only what speaks to him but who he is in the process.
  • Biography by African American Studies Department chair reaches PROSE Award finals

    Biography by African American Studies Department chair reaches PROSE Award finals

    Tara T. Green, CLASS Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of African American Studies, has been named a finalist in the Association of American Publishers (AAP) 47th Annual PROSE Awards. Evaluated by a 25-judge panel, her 2022 book “Love, Activism, and the Respectable Life of Alice Dunbar-Nelson” held its weight against other humanities projects from around the nation.
  • African American studies hosts hip hop legend Bun B, promising ‘more to come’

    African American studies hosts hip hop legend Bun B, promising ‘more to come’

    On Oct. 20, rap legend Bernard James “Bun B” Freeman joined University of Houston Department of African American Studies (AAS) Chair Tara T. Green in a vivid conversation about hip hop's influence on Black culture, religious parallels and much more.

  • Tribble joins AAS as the newest Student Ambassador

    Tribble joins AAS as the newest Student Ambassador

    Join us in congratulating Andrea Tribble as she becomes the newest student ambassador for the Department of African American Studies. Read more about Andrea here.

  • Tara T. Green joins CLASS as founding chair of African American Studies Department

    Tara T. Green joins CLASS as founding chair of African American Studies Department

    Effective Aug. 1, Tara T. Green begins her tenure as the founding chair and CLASS distinguished professor of the department of African American studies at the University of Houston. This historic appointment is the latest in a series of major developments for the program, which launched a large scholarship endowment and earned departmental status soon after marking its 50th anniversary.

  • Neema Langa joins African American Studies and Sociology as Presidential Frontier Faculty

    Neema Langa joins African American Studies and Sociology as Presidential Frontier Faculty

    Neema Langa is an assistant professor of Sociology. She is a joint faculty member in the Sociology and the African American Studies Departments. Her research uses quantitative methodologies to examine structural forces contributing to heterogeneity in healthcare utilization and health outcomes among African and African American women in underserved communities.
  • UH African American Studies Program Granted Departmental Status

    UH African American Studies Program Granted Departmental Status

    Two years after celebrating its 50th anniversary, the African American Studies (AAS) Program at the University of Houston College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) has been formally elevated to a degree-granting department.

  • Headshot of Dr. Reed

    Reed Named as Interim Director of the UH African American Studies Program

    The University of Houston College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) is pleased to announce associate professor of history Linda Reed, Ph.D., as interim director of the African American Studies (AAS) program.

  • UH African American Studies book club discussing the writings of Malcolm X in 1994. Courtesy UH Digital Library.

    Making and Teaching History

    Studying the Black experience and its impact on society – and society’s impact on it – may help stem the tide of racism, but its goal, through the African American Studies (AAS) program at the University of Houston, is to even the historical playing field.

  • Dr. Conyers on a custom background with desks and a yellow overlay

    CLASS Mourns the Loss of One of its Own - Dr. James L. Conyers, Director of the African American Studies Program

    A valued member of the UH community for nearly 20 years, Professor Conyers’ legacy will live on. James Conyers passed away on Monday, January 25, 2021.

  • Photo of Rev. William A. Lawson Founding Pastor Emeritus

    New African American Studies Scholarship Honors Houston-Area Social Justice Leader

    The University of Houston College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) is proud to announce that Director of African American Studies James L. Conyers, Jr., Ph.D., has established the William Alexander Lawson Social Justice Scholarship Endowment. This scholarship honors the remarkable legacy of civil rights advocacy and social justice activism that Rev. Lawson has built over seven decades as one of Houston’s most influential civic and religious leaders.

  • Group of Students

    African American Studies Program Marks 50th Anniversary with New Bachelor of Arts Degree

    The UH College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) is pleased to announce that undergraduate students will have the option to declare a major in African American Studies beginning in the Fall 2019 semester. The addition of a Bachelor of Arts degree in African American Studies (AAS) coincides with the 50th anniversary of the program and reflects growing interest from students and faculty in the study of black culture throughout space and time.

Contact Us

Department of African American Studies 
3553 Cullen Boulevard
Agnes Arnold Hall Room 629
Houston, TX 77204-3047