The College of Arts and Sciences

African American Studies

--------------------------------------- Sitingawawo Kachipande 2012, graduate, PAS program sdkachip@syr.edu Sitinga is from Malawi and has lived in (apartheid) South Africa, (West) Germany and the Washington DC metro area. She received her MBA at Hood College, where she has volunteered as VP of Marketing and Communications for the board of the National Association of Women MBA's - Hood College. She received her BSc in Anthropology and Sociology from Truman State University with a double minor in African/African-American Studies and International Studies. At Truman, she served as President and co-founder of the African Students Association and as President of the International Club. She was inducted in Who's Who Amongst Students in American Colleges ans Universities. Her career experience includes working in the healthcare and non-profit field. She volunteered as a board member with the Malawi Washington Association. Her research interests include socio-economic development, international relations, nation branding, identity studies, public policy, social marketing, and media advocacy. Upon the completion of her degree in Pan African Studies, she hopes to continue work and education in these areas.

--------------------------------------- Carieta Thomas 2012 graduate, PAS program Carieta Thomas was born in Guyana and came to Atlanta, Ga. for high school. Since attending an extremely diverse high school, with representation from 58 different countries, Carieta has been deeply interested in international relations. During high school she worked tutoring students in ESOL and volunteered with various refugee resettlement organizations. Her involvement with these communities has enriched her experiences and has had a profound effect on how she views the world and the people in it. In the summer of 2009 Carieta participated in the Summer Intern Program at the Carter Center where she was a member of the Liberia Team in the Conflict Resolution Department. There she gained experience in working with a larger NGO, acquired immense knowledge on the history and current situation of Liberia, and developed an even deeper interest in the historical and current connections between countries. She further participated in the Liberian peace process by completing a project with the International Center for Transitional Justice. One of the most compelling aspects of her work was the fact that it afforded her a relationship with members of the Liberian Diaspora grappling with the issues back home. Carieta graduated from Agnes Scott College with a Bachelor¿s Degree in International Relations and Africana Studies. Upon receiving her M.A. in Pan-African Studies, she plans to enter law school. Her aspiration is to use her education to continue her work in conflict resolution and more specifically to engage in the growing field of reconciliation.

--------------------------------------- Stephanie Armelin scarmelin@yahoo.com Stephanie C. Armelin is from Baldwin , LA. She did her undergraduate work at Dillard University in New Orleans , LA where she majored in psychology. Stephanie received her BA degree in Psychology with honors in May 1996. Her research interests are education and the intellectual empowerment of (all) people of African descent, and how active involvement of individual communities will serve to empower people in Africa and the Caribbean, as well as the United States . Stephanie hopes to create an organization that will be a viable educational tool in the global arena. This program, tentatively called E.C.C.E.L. (Every Child Can Enrich Lives), would be an international organization in which young people of African descent would be given the practical tools that are necessary to improve their health and well-being as well as those of others in their communities on both an intellectual and an economic level. Stephanie believes that when young people who truly have the desire to empower their communities take full advantage of the educational process, true progress will be made. E.C.C.E.L. will be centered around the idea that children should be our focus and that THEIR success should be our goal. But, the greater message of the program will be that the purpose of one's self-empowerment always must be to empower families, communities, and ultimately the world. Upon completion of her MA degree in Pan African Studies, Stephanie plans to continue on to receive a PhD in African-American Studies.

--------------------------------------- Tanara Haynes Tanara L. Haynes was born in Fort Hood, Texas and now resides in Waldorf, Maryland. She did her undergraduate work at Howard University in Washington, D.C. where she majored in Broadcast Journalism. Tanara¿received her BA degree in Broadcast with honors from Howard University in May of 2009. ¿Her intentions are to learn about the history of blacks and to analyze how they are portrayed in the media through out the Diaspora. Tanara hopes to travel the world and study more about African people. She believes that it is her duty and responsibility to bring about change in her community here in the states and abroad. Upon completion of her MA degree in Pan African Studies, Tanara plans to focus on teaching full time in areas like Washington, D.C. She hopes to one day open up her own community center so that she can further help empower the black community.

--------------------------------------- Alexandria Patrice Barabin 2010 graduate, PAS program Thesis Title: Postcoloniality and subjectivity among black artist in canada. apbarabin@gmail.com Alexandria Patrice Barabin, a native of Los Angeles, CA, who attended historic Crenshaw High School. Subsequently, she graduated from California State University, Northridge where she received her B.A. in Pan African Studies with an emphasis on Art and Literature. Additionally, she served as the Pan African Studies Writing Laboratory Instructor and the editor of the Hip Hop Think Tank, a student-led academic publication dedicated to deconstructing the sociological issues impacting Black youth culture. Alexandria will continue to explore the sociological and cultural nuances of the African Diaspora, including the examination of social and art movements' impact on higher education. After completing her PhD, Alexandria plans to become a full-time educator and writer as she continues to support social justice activism amongst young people of the Diaspora.

--------------------------------------- Remy Johnson 2010 graduate, PAS program Thesis Title: I-Self: Using rastafari 'deep'thought to develop a culturally responsive and comprehensive pan african history course for students of african descent in the united states. remyjohnson@yahoo.com Remy Johnson is from Atlanta, Georgia by way of Chicago, Illinois. He earned a BA degree in African World Studies at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Georgia with a concentration in African Literatures/Languages. Mr. Johnson has attended lectures at Cheik Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal; University of Cape Town in Cape Town, Azania (South Africa); and the University of Zimbabwe in Harare, Zimbabwe while participating in an independent study/study abroad experience. Mr. Johnson's research interests extend to the unifying and liberating implications of land repossession on human development in the African world, and utilize history and literature to examine the affects of land displacement. Mr. Johnson plans to build centers of education designed to serve children of the African Diaspora. These educational centers will use an African centered curriculum as a means of fostering an African identity in the children of the African Diaspora. After SU, he plans to complete a Ph.D. in Pan African Studies, continue his professional writing career, teach, travel, develop a periodical to serve urban youth, and continue to build the nation.

--------------------------------------- Cory J. LaFevers 2010 graduate, PAS program Thesis Title: The sounds of blackness in brazil: Musical affordance, regional identity, and activism in recife's black movements clafevers@gmail.com Cory J. LaFevers received a BA in History with high honors from the University of Houston in May, 2008. His Senior Honors Thesis, entitled The Sound of Revolution: Radio Free Dixie, Robert F. Williams, and Music as Protest and Propaganda, investigates how activists Robert and Mabel Williams utilized music and radio as a vehicle for protest to contribute to the black liberation struggle in the United States while they were in exile in Cuba. Cory¿s research interests include Afro-Diasporic Music, Protest and Social Movements; Afro-Latino / Afro-Brazilian Consciousness Movements; Race, Identity, and Human Rights the Americas; Relationships, connections, and intersections between the United States and Latin America/Caribbean; as well as Activist Scholarship, Ethnography, and Interdisciplinary methods, including: Ethnomusicology, Music-Sociology; Socio-cultural and Historical Anthropology, and Cultural Studies. As a masters student in Pan African Studies at Syracuse University, Cory also served as a 2009-2010 Graduate Student Representative for the Program on Latin American and Caribbean (PLACA) of the Maxwell School and as a Teaching Assistant for Prof. Bill Cole. Cory¿s Master¿s Thesis, The Sound of Blackness in Brazil: Musical Affordance, Regional Identity, and Activism in Recife¿s Black Movements, passed with Distinction and received a 2010 Master¿s Prize from the College of Arts and Sciences. Cory is currently pursuing further graduate studies in Ethnomusicology at the University of Texas at Austin.

--------------------------------------- David Mwambari 2010 graduate, PAS program Thesis Title: Inventing ethnicity: The malleability of identity in rwanda mwame2000@yahoo.com David Mwambari is from Rwanda. In summer 2007, he graduated from the United States International University in Kenya, where he received a B.A in International Relations and Psychology and has also been pursuing an M.A in International Relations at the same institution. David regularly contributes articles on youth issues, in the New Times a newspaper in Rwanda. He has been interviewed and quoted in the newspapers, radio shows and television news prime in Kenya. His research interests include the role of the African youth in conflict, role of the African youth education in conflict, child soldiers, neo-colonialism and socialization, as well as regional integration among others. David has been involved in advocating the plight of African youth in post-conflict. He has also presented academic papers and invited as a panelist in various International conferences both in Africa and in the United States. David is a co-founder of Rwandan youth in Diaspora Association. The Association promotes reconciliation among Rwandans using Rwandan cultural dances and arts. He believes that both informal and formal education can be used as a tool to foster development and peaceful co-existence in Africa. He is affiliated with grassroots, regional and international non-governmental organizations working in conflict zones. After completing his M.A at Syracuse, David hopes to persue a PhD. in Peace Studies and continue to work with non-governmental organizations.

--------------------------------------- Halycon Sealey-Westmass 2010 graduate, PAS program Thesis Title: Challenges of anglophone caribbean feminism: Assessments of socio-cultural relevance haly_con@yahoo.com Halycon Sealey-Westmass is from Guyana, a Caribbean country located on the coast of the South America. She lived most of her life, worked and did her undergraduate studies in Guyana. She received a Diploma from the Burrowes School of Arts in 1997 and a BFA (Bachelor in Fine Arts) from the University of Guyana in 2001. In both institutions, she majored in painting and minored in fabric design. Halycon believes the conceptualization of deep artistic expressions is informed and dependant upon a sound knowledge of diaspora history. In this context, art functions as history in the visual form. Halycon¿s research interest is based on tracing connections, incorporating similarities and differences, of the African people¿s historical experience in the diaspora as it relates to the story of their art work.

--------------------------------------- Anita Simmons 2010 graduate, PAS program Thesis Title: Sexual Violence: Access Denied. Studies in South Africa and Chicago blackintellektualanita@yahoo.com Anita Simmons was born and raised in the Henry Horner Project Homes located on the Near West side of Chicago. She is a recent graduate of Columbia College Chicago where she received her BA in Cultural Studies and a Minor in Black World Studies. Anita's academic research interests include, but are not limited to Women and Gender Studies, Music, Art, and Literature throughout the African Diaspora, Black Feminist Theory and Black social, cultural and political movements. Within these broad categories of interest, she is specifically interested in the social, cultural, historical, and political formations that exist within each field. Throughout the African Diaspora, Anita is interested in the ways that race, class and gender intersect to create complex, non-traditional ways of analyzing, critiquing, and appreciating facets of the African Diaspora that are rarely explored. The possibilities for Anita's future are endless. She maintains that where ever her spirit leads her is where her heart, body, and mind will follow.

--------------------------------------- Adnan Ajsic 2009 graduate, PAS program Thesis Title: Pan African language policy in an age of globalization : an African Lingua franca for all? Adnan Ajsic began his academic career in 1998 at his home town University of Tuzla, Bosnia-Herzegovina, as a student of English and American literature. Between 1996 and 2004 he worked as a Bosnian-to-English translator with the US Army in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the United Nation's International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague, the Netherlands. Currently, Adnan is finishing an M.A. program in English and American Studies (Anglistik und Amerikanistik) at the Karl-Franzens Universität in Graz, Austria. Adnan speaks Bosnian, English, and German, and is learning Kiswahili. His research interests include ethnic literatures in English, translation theory, and progressive language policy in postcolonial societies. Adnan hopes to move on to a PhD. program in political science and employ lessons from the Black experience in fighting discrimination in the post-conflict Bosnian society. May 2009 Graduate. Click Here for thesis information. Update: PhD Program: English (Applied Linguistics) Northern Arizona University - (starting fall 2010)

--------------------------------------- Paul Burgman 2009 graduate, PAS program Thesis Title: Negro como yo (black like me) : Constructions of blackness in Venezuelan social movement organizations Paul Burgman is a graduate from The University of Houston majoring in Literature and minoring in African American Studies. In Spring of 2005 he was recognized for his academic success by being placed on The University of Houston's Dean's List. In 2006 he was a Dr. Kwame Nkrumah International Study Scholar as well as receiving the Office of International Studies Scholarship for studying abroad. In 2007 he was a founding member and first Vice-President of the Ankh Maat Wedjau Honor Society for African American Studies at The University of Houston and, in addition to his on campus accomplishments he was also inducted into the National Council of Black Studies Honor Society. In March of 2007 he was also awarded the Bardoli Global Fellowship which comprised of 100 student scholars in the Houston area. His area of study includes Africana literature and theatre

--------------------------------------- Ingrid M. Butler 2009 graduate, PAS program Thesis Title: Amongst Mardi Gras beads and holy rosaries : Exploring how Black lesbians negotiate space and sexuality in New Orleans Hailing from Franklin, Louisiana, is Ingrid M. Butler. She is an alumni of Syracuse University (Entering Class of 2007), where she earned a dual bachelors degree in Psychology and African American Studies. Being well-versed on the challenging and supportive nature of the AAS department, she decided to pursue the MA in Pan-African studies. Currently, her work is centered on the relationship between place and sexual identity construction/behavior. Upon completing her master's degree, she would like to continue her research

--------------------------------------- Marcus Hill 2009 graduate, PAS program Thesis Title: Sex work in Washington, D.C. : Black female sexuality and Black women¿s labor Marcus Hill is from the historic Capitol Hill region of the city of Washington, DC (Not the suburban area of southern Maryland or northern Virginia). Marcus completed his undergraduate studies at Syracuse University where he received a BA in English and Textual Studies. His research interests are the roles Black women played in creating an entire culture that caters, centers, and revolve around their hair. Marcus hopes to show that this important popular culture aspect of Black women is evidence of how both the Pan-African movement is moving forward and simultaneously moving back. Marcus hopes to one day write a collection of books on Black popular culture and their significance to the Pan-African movement, from California low riders to Screw music in Houston, Texas. May 2009 Graduate.

--------------------------------------- Zakiya A. Lasley 2009 graduate, PAS program Thesis Title: Bifurcated Existences: Christian Evangelicalism and Black LGBT communities Zakiya A. Lasley is a native of the Washington D.C. area. She has just recently completed her undergraduate degree from Hamilton College in Clinton N.Y. where she received a B.A. in Women's Studies, and a B.A. in Africana Studies in which she received honors. Zakiya looks forward to working in the areas of Black Feminist Thought and the use of non violent resistance in response to oppressive systems throughout the Black Diaspora. Upon completion of her MA degree in Pan African Studies, Zakiya plans to apply to Law School where she in turn will use her degrees to work in the arena of conflict

--------------------------------------- Jessica Ann Mitchell 2009 graduate, PAS program Thesis Title: Invisible women melting : Connecting climate change and women of African descent through African orature Jessica Ann Mitchell was raised in Milledgeville, GA. She completed her undergraduate work at Fort Valley State University where she majored in African World Studies with a Pre-Law Concentration. J.A.M. graduated Suma Cum Laude from Fort Valley State University in May 2007. Jessica (JAM-THE-LBG) is an award winning spoken word artist and actress that strives to educate and uplift humanity through her works. She has received numerous recognition and awards. Recently, she was awarded a Superior rating at the National Association of Dramatics and Speech Arts 2007 Conference in the category of Dramatic Monologue. She was awarded 3rd place in the international Citizens for Global Solutions 2006 Virtual Poetry Slam Contest. She has also been the featured spoken word artist for numerous events and conferences. One such event was the Americans for Informed Democracy¿s Darfur, the International Criminal Court, and Beyond: A Summit for Young Global Leaders. After completing her MA in Pan African studies, J.A.M. plans to publish her first collection of poetry and her second spoken word CD. She hopes to use spoken word as an avenue to spread a global message of urgency and peace. May 2009 Graduate.

--------------------------------------- Ryan Travis Smith-Jones 2009 graduate, PAS program Thesis Title: June 16 (a one-man play) : Using dramatic text to explore how low-income African-American men become non-participatory fathers Ryan Travis Smith-Jones is from Camden, New Jersey by way of Stone Mountain, Georgia. Receiving a B.A. degree from Fort Valley State University in May 2007, Ryan graduated Summa Cum Laude majoring in African World Studies with a concentration in Pre-Law and a minor in Sociology. His research interests include examining the impact people of African descent had on Theatre Arts, and analyzing how they are depicted throughout the Arts. Ryan is the Co-Founder of Conscious Quest Productions, through which he has directed 7 productions, one of which has received national recognition at the 2007 National Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts Annual Conference. He notes that theatre has been used by people of African descent as an instrument to amplify their political, social, and spiritual voice: Ryan strives to continue in this legacy as a creative artist. Upon completion of his MA degree, Ryan plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Theatre Arts. May 2009 Graduate.

--------------------------------------- Anne Abaho 2008 graduate, PAS program Thesis Title: From 6 years to 100 : Examining post-traumatic stress disorders among former child soldiers Anne Abaho was born in Uganda. She completed her primary and high school education in Uganda. She completed her undergraduate from United States International University in Kenya. She studied International Relations and Journalism at Undergraduate. Anne is mainly interested in issues concerning the plight of children and women in war torn areas. Anne has written articles in New Vision and Monitor (both papers in Uganda) on issues regarding human rights and the rule of law, child soldiers and border security among others. She also completed a research project on ¿Human Rights and Internal Armed Conflict: Child Soldiers in Sub Saharan Africa¿ as part of her undergraduate study. Anne is currently enrolled at Syracuse University for masters in Pan African Studies. May 2008 Graduate

--------------------------------------- Adam Carpinelli 2007 graduate, PAS program Thesis Title: Fighting "modern slavery" securing land rights for the Saramaka people of Suriname. 2007 acarpinelli@wsu.edu http://summit.syr.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=2576086

--------------------------------------- Cynthia Dorsey 2007 graduate, PAS program Thesis Title: L¿Africain Saccharin¿ Ballad : for the African whose journey led to Paris-the shared experience of the African in Paris. 2007 Cynthia L. Dorsey is from Washington, DC. She did her undergraduate work at Columbia College in Chicago where she majored in Acting. Cynthia received her BA degree in Acting with honors from Columbia in June 2005. Her research interests are blacks roles in the Arts throughout the Diaspora, and how the arts will be the driving force of the Pan African Movement for this generation. Cynthia hopes to start a children's theater company in Africa. She believes that theater is a healer and can heal the many years of oppression of black peoples globally. Upon completion of her MA degree in Pan African Studies, Cynthia plans to focus on Acting full time and get her PhD in Theater. She hopes to one day teach acting at Julliard. http://soulflytheatresociety.com/the_soulfly_team

--------------------------------------- Fumilayo Showers 2007 graduate, PAS program Thesis Title: No longer invisible : African immigrant women in the United States labor force feshower@mailbox.syr.edu Fumilayo Showers is enrolled in the doctoral program in Sociology at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs of Syracuse University. Her research interests center on globalization, labor, gender and migration. Her current research looks at the incorporation of West African immigrant women workers in the U.S labor market, focusing on the Washington D.C metropolitan area. In her work Fumi explores the structural linkages between U.S immigration and labor policies, globalization, race, gender and transnational migration. Fumi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Agnes Scott College in Decatur GA, and Master¿s degrees in Pan African Studies and Sociology from Syracuse University.

--------------------------------------- Melissa Y. Watts 2007 graduate, PAS program mw1225@temple.edu Melissa Watts is a recent graduate of Syracuse University's groundbreaking Masters of Pan African Studies program. After finishing her Bachelors Degree from the first program in the nation, Temple University, Melissa continues to focus on the underpinnings of her thesis, Stand Tall: Introducing the Kati Jamii Model and Reclaiming African Americans Educative Heritage. As a proud alum, Melissa is committed to working within Black Communities for self reliance and cultural resilience. Near and dear to her heart are Melissa's husband and two children, whom push her and keep her grounded. Most recently, Melissa has been honored with the privilege of joining the Board of Trustees of Khepera Charter School, an African Centered Charter School in Philadelphia, PA. Melissa is the Director of the Foster Parenting Program at a leading local non-profit organization that focuses on children traumatized by abuse and neglect. In her free time, she is the proud Secretary of the Wazuri Parents Council at Khepera Charter School, volunteers at Kiddie Carriage, an ever expanding child educational facility and maintains close ties to a local entrepreneur empowering Black communities, Larry Farmbry & Associates. Melissa continues to strive for greatness in alliance with our ancestors while focusing on the incredible power of well educated children.