Why African American Studies?

African American studies in the past and today imparts knowledge that contributes to positive social change.

Our curriculum helps students learn how to define, measure, interpret and validate Black experiences. Graduates leave us ready to think and to act in order to solve the unstructured problems that confront Black communities.

Learn more about the value of a degree in African American studies.

News

Genealogist Viola Baskerville taught students in the Gabriel Summer Institute how to research their own family history. (Jonathan Mehring, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

July 9, 2025

Gabriel Summer Institute helps high school students uncover their roots

The VCU program explored Richmond’s Black history and taught genealogy research skills.

Adam Ewing, Ph.D., will spend the year in residence in North Carolina, joining more than 30 other scholars as he works on his new book, a history of popular pan-Africanism in the 20th century. (Contributed photo)

May 19, 2025

African American studies professor Adam Ewing earns National Humanities Center fellowship

He will spend the upcoming academic year working on his book about 20th-century pan-Africanism.

Cloud Easterly, a second-year communication arts major at VCU, said the Graphic Narratives Lab fellowship was the push they needed to bring their ideas to life. Here, their character Suko poses with some sidekicks. (Contributed by Cloud Easterly)

April 24, 2025

Undergraduates flex their comics creativity in VCU’s Graphic Narratives Lab

The initial cohort of students explores visual storytelling and scholarship.

AFAM Spotlight