MSU Dept of African American and African studies seeks “technologies of living for survival into wellness"

<p>We do so with <a href="https://aaas.msu.edu/ruth-nicole-brown/">Dr. Ruth Nicole Brown</a>, the Inaugural Chairperson and Professor of <a href="http://aaas.msu.edu">AAAS</a>, Dr. <a href="https://aaas.msu.edu/tamura-lomax/">Tamura Lomax</a>, Foundational Associate Professor of AAAS, <a href="https://aaas.msu.edu/kristie-dotson/">Dr. Kristie Dotson</a>, Executive Academic Advisor to AAAS and Professor of Philosophy, and Dr. <a href="https://aaas.msu.edu/april-baker-bell/">April Baker-Bell</a>, continuing member of the transition team and Associate Professor of Language, Literacy and English Education. </p><p>“The African American and African Studies at Michigan State University (AAAS) began as a program in 2002,” says Dotson. “What was unique about it is that it was a program that was PhD granting. It did not have an undergraduate arm, but it did offer PhDs. One of the things the department is working toward on is a real commitment to supporting Black people, helping to facilitate and create cultural workers in Black communities, and to Black sovereignty.”</p><p>I was excited to read about AAAS's core areas and feminism, genders and sexuality studies,” Brown says, in talking about what attracted her to AAAS at MSU, “I was excited by the new build of this department and what we would create. It would be collectively oriented and anew, which meant that this work is bigger than any one person. And I'm interested always in being a part of something that will have impact for generations. The call for that integral chairperson position affirms my long-held commitment to ways that affirm Black communities and Black thought life.”</p><p>“The timing, the opportunity, and the people all aligned for me,” says Lomax. “Anyone who knows the history of Black studies knows that the emphasis on Black feminism is revolutionary. I don't mean in terms of offering a few classes here and there or sprinkling Black women faculty here and there. I mean literally to specifically and unapologetically center and weave Black femini