Department of Africana Studies

Africana Studies at MSU Denver

We bring the African continent and the African diaspora to students of all backgrounds.

MSU Denver’s Department of Africana Studies began in 1969 with the help of Wilton Flemon, Ph.D., and celebrated Professor Rachel B. Noel. To this day, we’re the only Africana Studies department in Colorado. Our graduates leave the University with prolific intellectual and professional skills, representing us well in the public and private sectors as well as the postgraduate studies they pursue. Learn more about the Department of Africana Studies and MSU Denver, our faculty, and our advisory board.

“My experience as an Africana Studies major has both met and exceeded my expectations. I have been privileged to study alongside fellow students who are in pursuit of both academic excellence and solutions to some of the world’s most vexing problems. I have been privileged to study under instructors who are not only professional, but who have challenged me to grow academically, personally and even spiritually.”

Darius Carey

Scholarship Recipient

She holds a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology from Johns Hopkins University. She's also a ceramicist who is committed to the field of Africana Studies. Her work explores the relationship between Africana women’s literature and art as visual and textual analysis. Nationally, her work has been accepted into two peer-juried exhibitions: “Historical Antecedents” sponsored by The Myers Gallery at Muddy’s Studio in Santa Ana, Calif. and “A Show of Heads” at the Northwest Cultural Council.

Dr. Ella Maria Ray

Professor

Career Prospects

Here’s where a B.A. in Africana Studies might take you:
Law, education, community work, human rights, journalism, social work and politics.

2nd Umoja Community Conversations Conference

Urban League Book Scholarship

Black World Conference

Interview with Jacqueline McLeod, Ph.D.

Read the Interview