Director of Africana Studies Program
Founding Executive Director, Center for Africana Studies and Culture
Clinical Assistant Professor in Africana Studies
Associate Professor of Religious Studies
Associate Professor of Africana Studies
Associate Director of the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture
The Center for Africana Studies and Culture has a multitude of faculty and advisors providing expertise in research, development, program experiences, study abroad opportunities, events, courses, community engagement, and much more.
Affiliate Faculty Members
Associate faculty hold courtesy affiliate appointments in Center for Africana Studies and Culture and complete a variety of diverse tasks in support of the program. Some of these individuals teach courses in the program, serve on committees, engage working groups, spread the word to students about the program, serve as mentors to the Olaniyan Scholars, or provide a level of support for upcoming internal research initiatives or public facing participatory creative or scholarly activity.
Caroline Bailey, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Sha'Kema Blackmon, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Education
Eric Williams, Ph.D., Senior Executive Director of Educational Equity Programs
Francesca Williamson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Program Leadership Council
The Program Leadership Council is the governance council for the Center for Africana Studies and Culture. It features Center for Africana Studies and Culture faculty, including two members from outside of the School of Liberal Arts, broadening the reach of the program. The council provides oversight for new course development, forms interdisciplinary research teams, assists with recruitment, leads committees and working groups, and provides an extra level of support for the director, where needed.
Cleveland Hayes II, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Professor of Education and Africana Studies
Ronda Henry Anthony, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English and Public Scholar of Africana Studies
Lasana Kazembe, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Education and Africana Studies
Obioma Nnaemeka, Ph.D., Chancellor’s Professor of French and Africana Studies
Jennifer Thorington Springer, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Professor of English and Africana Studies
Joseph Tucker Edmonds, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Africana Studies
Patricia Turley, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Africana Studies
Community Scholars of Center for Africana Studies and Culture
The Community Scholars of Center for Africana Studies and Culture are drawn from a myriad of local entities all connected to the goals and aims of Center for Africana Studies and Culture at IU Indianapolis. They make significant and meaningful contributions to meet educational objectives through community-based learning activities, support of community-engaged research, or professional service related to their areas of expertise.
Rob Dixon, Artistic Director Indianapolis Jazz Foundation
Susan Hall Dotson, Coordinator of African American History, Indiana Historical Society
Charlene Fletcher, Ph.D., Curator of African American Life and History, Conner Prairie Nichelle Hayes, Director, Center for Black Literature and Culture, Indianapolis Public Library
Ivan Douglass Hicks, Ph.D., Senior Minister First Baptist Church North
Breanca Merritt , Ph.D., Chief Health Equity & ADA Officer, Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
Kisha Tandy, Curator of Social History, Indiana State Museum
Judith Thomas, Deputy Mayor of Neighborhood Engagement, City of Indianapolis
