The Africana Studies Program has a multitude of faculty and advisors providing expertise in research, development, program experiences, study abroad opportunities, events, courses, community engagement, and much more.
Program Leadership Council
The Program Leadership Council is the governance council for the Africana Studies Program. It features Africana Studies 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.
Current Members
- 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
- 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 Africana Studies
The Community Scholars of Africana Studies are drawn from a myriad of local entities all connected to the goals and aims of Africana Studies at Indiana University 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.
Current Members
- 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
- Kisha Tandy, Curator of Social History, Indiana State Museum
- Judith Thomas, CEO, Indianapolis Arts Council
- Angela Northington, Principal and Founder, ENTertainment Speakers Bureau
- Samuel Ivande, Ph.D., Conversation Coordinator, Indianapolis Zoo Global Center for Species Survival
Affiliate Faculty Members
Associate faculty hold courtesy affiliate appointments in Africana Studies 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.
Current Members
- Mahasin Ameen, University Library
- Caroline Bailey, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Public and Environmental Studies
- Mercedes Cannon, Ph.D., Director, Adaptive Educational Services
- Karen Dace, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor & Professor Communication Studies
- Vernice Estorcien, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Public and Environmental Affairs
- M. Alex Evans, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Law
- Samantha Franklin, Ph.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Education
- Tyrone Freeman, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of Philanthropy
- Brittany Garvin, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Education
- Ted Hall, Ph.D., Clinical Associate Professor, School of Education
- Aqueasha Martin-Hammond, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering
- Kelly Hayes, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Religious Studies
- Crystal Hill-Morton, Ph.D., Professor, School of Education
- James Hill, Ph.D., Professor, School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering
- Tambra Jackson, Ph.D., Professor Education and Dean School of Education
- Jack Kaufman-McKivigan, Ph.D., Professor of History
- Jason Kelly, Ph.D., Professor of History, Director IU Indianapolis Arts and Humanities Institute
- Erick Kyere, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of Social Work
- Stephen Lane, University Library
- Elizabeth Nelson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Medical Humanities and Health Studies
- Chinedum Ojinnaka, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of Public Health
- Oladele O. Omosegbon, Ph.D., Senior Associate Professor, Africana Studies
- Tina O’Neal, Ph.D. Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Education
- Samuel Nyarko, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, School of Science
- Gemmicka Piper, Ph.D., Assistant Librarian, University Library
- Sacha Sharp, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Medicine
- Amy Irby Shasanmi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Sociology
- Angelitta Britt-Spells, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, School of Public Health
- Charles Sutton, Ed.D, Assistant Professor, School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering
- Regina Turner, Ph.D., University College
- LyNeisha Ward, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, School of Science
- Eric Williams, Ph.D., University College
