CAAS
Synergy
Center for African American Studies
Volume 3
July - December 2014
Issue 1
HONORING TRADITIONS & CELEBRATING FIRSTS! 3rd Annual CAAS Evening With Authors CAAS’ 3rd Annual Evening with Authors recognized celebrated Black authors and leaders within the DFW community. Held in the Carlisle Suite at the University of Texas at Arlington, the featured authors were: Mr. Reby Cary, Dr. Constance Hilliard and Ms. Katrina Williams. It opened with an elegant reception followed by the featured authors speaking about their experiences and writings. The closing of Evening with Authors entailed book giveaways, book signings, and graduating Emerging Leaders receiving their CAAS stoles. Overall, this event provided attendees the ability to get up close and personal with noted authors and celebrate their work in an intimate setting. Provost Ronald Elsenbaumer, Dr. Schnavia Hatcher; Authors: Mr. Reby Cary, Dr. Constance Hilliard and Ms. Katrina Williams
Black Maverick Weekend: CAAS Homecoming Tailgate Rain did not stop the fun at the Inaugural CAAS “Black Maverick Weekend” Homecoming event with special guest, K-104 radio personality “Cat Daddy”. This event served to connect Black Alumni with UT Arlington and CAAS. Participants of the Black Maverick Weekend were encouraged to attend the Homecoming Step Show, CAAS Tailgate and UTA Homecoming Men’s Basketball game.
Current students, faculty, staff and alumni enjoyed games, food, dancing and more before heading over to College Park Center to cheer on the UTA Maverick Men’s Basketball Team.
Inside this Edition: Director’s Note…..……………………………………….3 African American Studies Minor…………………….. 4 Perspectives...………………..…………………………..6 Student Engagement………………….………………7 Faculty Focus.....…………………………………………8 Community-Based Research………...…….…………9 Campus & Community Engagement………..……10 Congratulations ……………………………………….12 CAAS Recognition…………………………………….13 Save the Date………………………………………….14 Give a Gift………………………………………………15
2
A Note from the Director Greetings, As a Minority-Serving Institution (MSI), with 15% African American students, many stakeholders were elated when the center was established at University of Texas at Arlington August 2012. With a mission to facilitate the discourse on race and contextualize it in the historical, cultural, and community influences, CAAS is growing as a vital intellectual and social resource for the community. As a native of Selma, Alabama, a city best known for its place in the advocacy for civil rights, equality, and social justice, I remain honored to serve you- on and off campus - as the director of this extraordinary unit. Three years ago, I introduced Synergy to the community- you- to profile the center and its components: curriculum and instruction; research and policy analysis; and civic engagement and outreach. Beginning as a blank slate, I am extremely proud of the collaborations and programs developed, organized, and hosted since we became operational: -Fourteen Power Hour Lectures -Three Evenings of Authors -Two 2-day Community Research Conferences on Critical Issues in the Black Community -Four African American Studies Minor graduates in 2013-2014- with approximately Twenty AAST Minors currently declared -Over One Hundred students participating in our Student Development Initiative in 18 months- with many more volunteering with our service learning projects -Nine undergraduate and graduate interns from several units across campus -Five undergraduate and graduate students supervised in conference courses- independent study classes with me -Faculty serving as affiliates, with several participating in CAAS students workshops, service learning activities, and research projects -AND numerous community partnerships- both formal and informal- that prepare our students to create progressive solutions for social change. CAAS also sponsored a trip for three UT Arlington students to participate in The Freedom Ride 2014, a journey that commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. The students (3 of 49 across the nation) were provided an opportunity, as a new generation of leaders, to explore history firsthand from civil rights activists, many who were college-age themselves when they began their journey 50 years ago, and be inspired to actively engage in the struggle for justice. We are excitedly planning another semester of #CAASIMPACT, particularly our 3 rd Annual CAAS Conference February 20-21, 2015. You will receive more information in the coming weeks! This bi-annual publication will profile the activities mentioned above and several other extraordinary academic, research, and community events and accomplishments that occurred during the previous semester. As you read about student development and success, faculty and staff contributions, and community collaborations, I hope that you will be inspired to continue to be in involved by giving of your time, talents, and treasures this year.
All the best,
Schnavia
SCHNAVIA SMITH HATCHER, PHD, MSW DIRECTOR 3
African American Studies Minor
Brianna Franklin is the first AAST minor recipient to be awarded the AAST/School of Social Work Scholarship Award based on her academic excellence. Congratulations Brianna!!!
AAST CAPSTONE PRESENTATIONS FALL 2014
Cedrick Finnie History, Senior Cool Pose: Answering Gender Role Questions
Boniface Djihula Social Work, Senior Challenges Young People Face in DFW and Nationally
Kandra Jones Psychology, Junior Code-Switching
Brianna Franklin Social Work, Senior Black Women and Identity
AAST 4399 CAPSTONE is the final required class for AAST minors. The students were tasked with designing a research project that focused on historical and contemporary issues in the Black Community.
4
African American Studies Minor Are you passionate about African American Studies? Become an AAST Minor!
Minor Requirements
Professional Opportunities
Requirements include: 18 Total Credit hours (6 classes) with 9 hrs in AAST Intro to Black Studies African American History Special Topics in African American Studies Service Learning Internships Collaborations with units across campus including: ANTH, CRCJ, ECON, ENGL, LING, MANA, POLS, PSYC, SOCI, SOCW
Careers Include: Business and Technology Education News & Media Literature & Poetry Medicine & Health Performing Arts & Entertainment History Politics & Government/ Law Social Work
For more information about the AAST Minor contact CAAS at 817-272-9642 or caas@uta.edu
5
Perspectives A THINK PIECE ON STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
Be Their Glory: An Open Letter to Our Students Concerning Involvement & Engagement I’ve always felt that involvement and engagement is important for all students, as it aids in their development and allows them to reach their highest potential as matriculates in a collegiate environment. I also feel that it is extremely important for Black students, in particular, to be immersed and committed to furthering the evolution of their campus. Why is it so important for Black students specifically? The answer is simple: It is your legacy. The history of Blacks in higher education can be summed up quickly in a few phrases: denied access, segregation, separate but not quite so equal, integration, activism, and access. Our past involves strong courageous collegiate activists such as John Lewis, Coretta Scott King, Stokely Carmichael, and Diane Nash. Students like Fred Jones, who was a Black student leader and activist at UT Arlington in 1965 that spearheaded the fight to abolish the Rebel Theme, can also be considered heroes in this arena. It is because of Fred’s involvement, and the work of so many other Black student leaders, that we can proudly call ourselves ‘Mavericks’.
CHAUNTE’ WHITE, M.ED. CAAS COORDINATOR
The whole notion of college student activism was born out of the civil rights movement and many of the educational opportunities that we are afforded today are the result of student advocacy efforts. From the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) to lunch counter sit-ins, from freedom rides to voter registration marches, students were major contributors to an activism effort that spurred some of the most important legislative and education action in this country. CAAS itself wouldn't exist if not for the radical social movements of the 60’s that spawned the creation of Black Studies centers across the nation. How exactly does one honor such a rich lineage of cultural greatness? By being visible and being active. UT Arlington serves the largest number of Black students in the Texas System, but what does that really mean if they are not visible and actively integrating themselves into the fabric of this institution? Granted, the students most likely to read this piece are the students who are already ‘involved’. If this is the case, I encourage you to do more and to do better; become more visible and get more involved. Seek out leadership opportunities and work hard to be a contributor. Also, reach out to someone else who may not be as active, and help get them connected to the campus. My argument is simple: you have a responsibility to carry on the legacy. How can you not put forth an attempt to be your greatest self when so much effort has gone into securing the freedoms & opportunities that you enjoy today? As the current events in our country begin to mirror our past, I encourage you all to seek out ways to be involved and engaged on campus and in the community like never before. Ferguson, the NAACP Building Bombing, the Nigerian Massacre, whatever the cause, I implore you to draw upon the legacy of great Black college student leaders and be inspired by the past to change the narrative of our future. I am hesitant to say that you owe it to them, but…you do. Bear the torch, keep the flame lit, run with it…Say thank you, not just with words, but with actions. Make sure the efforts of those that proceeded you were not made in vain… make them proud…be their glory.
For information on CAAS Student Development Initiatives, or ways to get involved, contact Chaunte’ White at 817-272-9642 or clwhite@uta.edu 6
Student Engagement Study Breaks Study Breaks provide students the opportunity to use CAAS as a resource to support and further their academic success. This reoccurring event is designed to promote positive student interaction in a focused, supportive environment.
Progressive Steps Toward Student Success!
Master Class Master Class Community Mentor Dinners are designed to connect students to professionals from the DFW community to discuss personal, academic, and professional challenges, develop strategies to overcome such challenges, and celebrate accomplishments. G.O.O.D Mentor Mixer The G.O.O.D Mentor Mixer was the first event for the Getting Out Our Dreams Mentor Program. During this event, students were matched with their mentee for the year and participated in activities designed to facilitate their connection and bond moving forward. Monthly Student Development Workshops Monthly workshops are held for CAAS Emerging Scholars and Leaders to work on various student development goals and objectives. Workshops were held in October and November of the fall semester and focused on mentor training, developing strategies to achieve success, and navigating the professional course as young Black men and women.
7
Faculty Focus News and Updates from Some of UT Arlington’s Finest! Dr. W. Marvin Dulaney recently published his research about Julia Scott Reed. She was one of the first blacks to work in the newsroom of a major daily newspaper in the South. Her biography is to be published in the book Texas Women: Their Histories, Their Lives. This book is edited by Stephanie Cole, Rebecca Sharpless and Elizabeth Hayes Turner and published by University of Georgia Press (2015). Dr. Dulaney’s research on Mrs. Reed is titled “Julia Scott Reed: Presenting the Truth about African Americans in Dallas” (pp. 389—409).
Dr. W. Marvin Dulaney Department of History ,Chair CAAS Faculty Affiliate Dr. David Sparks is currently serving as a fellow with the UTA Center for Service Learning where he is developing a service learning course for the UTeach program. He was awarded a $2,000 Fellowship from the Center at the end of last year. Dr. Sparks also recently received a $5,000 grant from Academic Partnerships to be conducted with Dr. Kathryn Pole. The title of their project is “Using Anonymous Avatar-Based Discussions to Engage in Discourse on Stereotyping in Master’s Level Diversity Courses.” They will be conducting the research with online diversity courses in the Master’s programs in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Sparks also has an article accepted for publication entitled “An Exploration of the Connections Between Institution Type and Perceived Levels of Stereotype Threat in African American Engineering Students” which will be published in the Spring 2015 edition of the Journal of African American Males in Education. Dr. David Sparks Dept. of Curriculum and Instruction and Uteach CAAS Faculty Affiliate Dr. Sonja S. Watson recently published a book, “The Politics of Race in Panama: Afro-Hispanic and West Indian Literary Discourses of Contention” (University Press of Florida, 2014) which deals with the forging of AfroPanamanian identity from the 1920’s to the present. Her article, "La identidad afro-panamena: pasado, presente y futuro" (Afro-Panamanian Identity: Past, Present and Future) was also accepted for publication with the Mexican journal, LiminaR: Estudios sociales y humanísticos. Dr. Sonja Watson Department of Modern Language Women and Gender Studies, Director Former CAAS Research Fellow 8
Community-Based Research Race, Ethnicity and Place Conference October 2014
The Seventh Bi-Annual REP Conference was hosted by Texas Christian University's ADDRAN College of Liberal Arts at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Fort Worth. Approximately 400 participants attended, representing a large range of disciplines. UT Arlington CAAS conducted several sessions (Friday, October 24). CAAS provided a great introduction for the Center for African American Studies to attendees, with Dr. Schnavia Hatcher serving as moderator during the sessions. The sessions began with a presentation by Dante Bryant explaining his study on capturing the true experiences of the African American male on a predominately white campus. Dr. Hatcher then detailed the purpose and growth of the Center. She was followed by Chaunte' White who described the assessment of the Center's student development programs, such as the Emerging Scholars Program and Emerging Leaders Initiative. Following them was Dr. Ifeoma Amah, who informed attendees about the dynamic changes the school system is facing regarding a more diverse community. Undergraduate student assistant, Christopher Woolen, presented a joint-project with Dr. Eusebius Small, profiling the health inequalities between the communities of Texas and how it affects the HIV/Aids epidemic. The session was concluded by undergraduate student assistants, Kent Justin Brown and Iriel Hampton, summarizing the impact of the Center of African American Studies for students on the campus of UT-Arlington, along with its social capitol growth. CAAS was honored to be a part of this conference.
Dante Bryant, MSW Social Work Doctoral Student
Bob Ray Sanders, Keynote Speaker Dean Andrew Schoolmaster (TCU), Conference Organizer Dr. Schnavia Hatcher, CAAS Director 9
Chaunte’ White, M.Ed. CAAS Coordinator Dr. Schnavia Hatcher, CAAS Director
Campus & Community Engagement State of the Black UT Arlington Student
September 2014
CAAS Power Hour Lecture : The Freedom Ride
State of the Black College Student: In partnership with the Black Student Association (BSA), CAAS and several other campus organizations came together to address the current state of affairs for Black students at UT Arlington. Three main areas were highlighted: Academics, Health & Wellness, and Campus Involvement. Guest speakers included Latoya Oduniyi, Student Health Center Development Specialist, and Chaunte’ White, CAAS Coordinator . Members of A Collection of Brothers (COB), National Association of Colored Women’s Club (NACWC), African Student Association (ASO), National PanHellenic Council (NPHC), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) were all presented and contributed to the dialogue, as well as the presentations.
October 2014
3rd Annual Opening Lecture: This lecture focused on the experiences of three students who were sponsored by CAAS for Freedom Ride 2014 travel to Washington DC. The three students spoke and met with several original Freedom Riders involved in the Civil Rights movement, learning about their social justice background. The lecture, moderated by UT Arlington professor Ray Jordan, also commemorated the 50 year anniversary of the Civil Rights Act.
10
Campus & Community Engagement CAAS Power Hour Lecture: Black in Business
November 2014
Critical Conditions: Minority Health Panel & Discussion
“Black In Business: The Realities of the Journey to Independence and Ownership� Mr. Jamie Grant, CRPC, President of JDG Wealth Management Group and Chairman Fort Worth Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, lectured on the importance of business and working to become your own boss. During this lecture he shared the steps he took to go from employee to entrepreneur, and how his commitment to empowering his community granted opportunities for himself.
CAAS and the UT Arlington Central Library collaborated on Critical Conditions: Minority Health Panel and Discussion. The panel, featuring experts from the fields of mental health, health psychology, and nursing covered prevalent health issues faced by minority communities, including mental health disparities and other major health conditions. 11
Congratulations! Fall 2014 Graduates Continue to strive and give your best efforts so that you will obtain your greatest rewards. We hope you stay connected to CAAS so that we may follow your growth and success!
Dimekia Hicks, Social Work Undergraduate Intern
Michael Coleman II, Advertising Emerging Leader
Rita Hill-Wales, Social Work Undergraduate Intern
Cedrick Finnie, History AAST Minor
Valene Garr, Biological Chemistry Biology Minor Emerging Leader
12
La’Keali Felton, Social Work Emerging Leader
Shunkecia Lewis Public Relations Emerging Leader
CAAS Recognition Christopher Woolen CAAS Undergraduate Student Assistant 2014 Maverick of the Month Award This award is given by the UTA Ambassadors in recognition of Christopher’s outstanding service to the student body by living the Maverick Way . Christopher serves as an academic peer leader, CAAS Emerging Leader, and a Student Congress Senator. He also serves on President Karbhari’s Principles of Community Committee.
Dimekia Hicks CAAS Undergraduate Intern 2014 Outstanding Bachelor’s Student for UTA School of Social Work This award is granted to students with high academic performance and commitment to social work. Dimekia was recently accepted into the Social Work Graduate Program at UT Arlington.
Chaunte’ White, M.Ed CAAS Coordinator 2014 GEM Award Recipient This award is given by the School of Social Work to individuals that have “Gone the Extra Mile” by contributing to the SSW, the community, and to the success of UTA.
13
Save the Date UPCOMING EVENTS The New Black: Exploring Racial Identity from a Contemporary Perspective February 4, 2015 Dante Bryant and Dr. Jason Shelton 3rd Annual CAAS Conference UT Arlington University Center February 20 - 21, 2015 Women’s History Month Lecture: “Octavia Butler” Co-Sponsored with Women and Gender Studies March 4, 2015 Dr. Susana Morris The Audacity of Injustice: Power & Contemporary Acts of Violence April 1, 2015 Dr. Anne Bain-Nordberg CAAS Honors Recognition Ceremony May 1, 2015
14
Give a Gift Established August 2012, the Center for African American Studies (CAAS) at the University of Texas at Arlington aims to cultivate an exceptional transdisciplinary experience through teaching, civic engagement, and community-based research focused on the diverse contextual conditions of Blacks in America and society at large. Our purpose is to foster the development of student, faculty, and community capacity to create progressive solutions that address social problems. Endowed funding is being sought to support:
Lectures, events, and conferences Student enrichment initiatives Undergraduate and graduate scholarships Faculty and student community-based research
Thank you for your Gift!! 2014 Donors W. Marvin Dulaney Eddie Freeman Schnavia S. Hatcher Elvira A. Smith 2014 Sponsors College of Liberal Arts History Department School of Social Work Texas Rangers Ballpark For more information on how to support CAAS, please contact: Dr. Schnavia Hatcher, CAAS Director, at shatcher@uta.edu To give a gift, go to www.uta.edu/caas/support.html
15
Get Connected!
16