Diasporic Sankofán desires: Looking back to Africa to unforget Black histories and (re)imagine Black futures

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This symposium looks to Africa to unforget consequential aspects of Black histories and (re)imagine diasporic Black futures through the spirit of Sankofà. It recognizes Africa as the birthplace of higher education and affirms the continent’s lasting intellectual legacies, which play a crucial role in unforgetting Black histories. Additionally, it focuses on the desires and engagement of the Black diaspora by highlighting how Black educators in the U.S. are connecting to Africa’s historical, contemporary, and future-informing liberatory force. Grounded in a Sankofàn desire-based methodology, the session illuminates the transformative impact of Africa in helping Black educators unforget histories and (re)imagine possibilities for envisioning research, learning, and teaching with Africentric epistemologies that construct collective Black (diasporic) futures.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Research Focus on Black Education

Chair

• Shawn S. Savage, University of North Carolina - Wilmington

Papers

• Looking Back & Fetching: Unforgetting African Present(s) & Forging Black Futures - Kgosietsile Velempini, University of North Carolina Wilmington; Romeo Abraham, University of North Carolina - Wilmington

• Looking Back & Fetching: Diasporan Perspectives & Impacts - Crystal G Simmons, University of North Carolina - Wilmington; Michele A. Parker, University of North Carolina - Wilmington

• Looking Back & Fetching: Unforgetting histories & birthing futures with quilting performances - Julia Lynch, University of North Carolina - Wilmington; Candace M. Thompson, University of North Carolina - Wilmington

Session Organizer

• Shawn S. Savage, University of North Carolina - Wilmington

Discussant

• Shawn S. Savage, University of North Carolina - Wilmington