Department of African American Studies

College of Humanities and Sciences

Current StudentsGive

Request information

Visit VCU

Apply Now

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.

Explore careers

News

Zaniah Blakely with the U.S. Capitol in the background (contributed photo)

Sept. 24, 2026

Five questions with African American Studies and English double major Zaniah Blakely

Reading, writing, and community drives Blakely’s academic pursuits

Ray Ifanga, a junior majoring in political science and African American studies, said, “I genuinely enjoy meeting people, building connections and being involved in different spaces on campus, which is definitely a shift from how shy and reserved I was when I first came to VCU.” (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Sept. 9, 2026

Ray Ifanga sharpens his worldview at VCU

In classes, research and student leadership, the junior and aspiring lawyer keeps Black communities in focus.

Iresha Picot started a cycling group for Black women and girls in Philadelphia, and it quickly grew in popularity. She also teaches bike maintenance and bike cycling classes because she said, “I want the women to feel like cyclists.” (Contributed photo)

Aug. 26, 2026

Meet-a-Ram: Iresha Picot makes a mark from mental health to media, from self-care to cycling

The 2007 alum has established deep roots and a wide footprint in Philadelphia.

More news

AFAM Spotlight

Tarazha Jenkins

Meet a Student

Tarazha Jenkins is passionate about communications and politics, as well as how it can affect the black community. One day she hopes to work on Capitol Hill.

Fidelia Igwe

Meet an Alum

Fidelia Igwe ('15) is associate director of College and Career Access at DC Prep in Washington D.C. and CEO/lead consultant of Equitable Minds, LLC.

Read more

African American Studies major Shawn Williams

Meet a Student

Shawn Williams says majoring in African American studies helps them build towards a healthier, inclusive, antiracist future. Read more about Shawn, including her favorite courses, professors and sources of inspiration.

Events

Collaboration and sharing are at the core of our mission.

Geoff Bennett (photo credit: Johnny Shryock)

Black Out Loud: A Conversation with Geoff Bennett

Date: Friday, Oct 9, 2026

Join us for a conversation with Geoff Bennett, co-anchor and co-managing editor of the PBS NewsHour. Bennett will discuss his book "Black Out Loud: The Revolutionary History of Black Comedy from Vaudeville to '90s Sitcoms."

More events