Africana Studies

February 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month in the United States. This milestone will be recognized and honored throughout the month at The University of New Mexico, which has been celebrating Black History Month for the past 50...

The 41st annual Black History Month Kick-Off Brunch will be on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 in The University of New Mexico Student Union Building Ballrooms. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. and will feature keynote speaker Nichole Rogers. This year's theme is...

“I see it as a temporary alternative to what’s happening at the Smithsonian, where Black people in particular gave family treasures to the museum and now it’s being censored. I see this as a kind of answer to that to preserve important memories to preserve community.”

For Kaelyn Moon, the path to UNM was paved by ambition, strong women and family ties.  Her inspiration for success began at home with her mother and grandmother. Her grandmother, Alta Maxine Harper, instilled in her the family values of hard work and...

The University of New Mexico’s Department of Africana Studies hosts a public discussion on policing and community relations as part of the national “I Fear for My Life” initiative.  The event, titled “Building Trust and Reducing Fear Between Police &...

The University of New Mexico first celebrated Black History Month in 1976, following President Gerald Ford formal recognition of the month. However, the tradition started much earlier than 1976. It was 1926 when Harvard-educated historian Dr. Carter G....

“Someone You Should Know” is the theme of the 40th annual Black History Month Kickoff Brunch, which will be held next January. This distinguished event honors and acknowledges the contributions and achievements of Black individuals and communities. In...

Eric Scott, vice president for Student Affairs, recently announced the appointment of two Student Affairs Leadership Interns (SALI) who were added to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (OVPSA) this week. Brandon Chavarria-Salazar, a...

For over 50 years, the Department of Africana Studies has provided a foundation for students across all majors to understand the historical, political, and cultural impact of the Black Diaspora. One alumna from the program, Mandisa Routheni, is a...

The Department of Anthropology at The University of New Mexico is celebrating Black History Month in February with a website page full of resources that include the history of Black History Month, Black scholar biographies, the African-American community...