Origins of the program Responding to the climate of the late '60s, the university began in 1971 an undergraduate Black Studies program. The founding director was Delores P. Aldridge. Each year several speakers, including Nobel Laureates, are invited to speak and engage in scholarly conversations. The insititue has 17 core and 12 associated faculty.
Most core faculty have joint appointments.
Schools, departments, and scholarly fields where faculty are drawn from English, ILA, history, anthropology, sociology, political science and the School of Nursing. Offers courses at the introductory level, the intermediate level and at the advanced level. Degrees, majors, or concentrations offered Major in African American Studies. The institutes hopes for a future connection with the Auburn Street library. Due to the high profile nature of this topic in 1990's publishing opportunities are good in ID journals and disciplinary ones.