Nneoma Onwuegbuchi successfully passed her dissertation defense in early June, earning the title Dr. Onwuegbuchi. Her committee included Professors Ainehi Edoro, Matthew Brown, Finn Enke (Gender & Women’s Studies/History at UW–Madison), James Yékú (Kansas State …
News
Semester In Review: A Letter From The Chair (Spring 2026)
Dear alumni and friends of the African Cultural Studies Department, As I was beginning to compose this newsletter, I received the devastating news that Conceição Lima (1961-2026) had died. Lima, who has been called one …
Abubakar Muhammad and Samira Wu Awarded Ebrahim Hussein Fellowship
The Department of African Cultural Studies is pleased to announce that Abubakar Muhammad and Samira Wu have been awarded the Ebrahim Hussein Fellowship, which supports graduate student research in African literature. Through interdisciplinary approaches that …
Ernesta Cole and Tobi Idowu Awarded Aliko Songolo Summer Research Award
The Department of African Cultural Studies is pleased to announce that Ernesta Cole and Tobi Idowu have been awarded the Aliko Songolo Summer Research Award, which supports outstanding graduate research in African and diasporic cultural, …
Honoring Ustadh Mustafa’s Legacy
After decades of dedicated teaching, mentorship, and service to the Department of African Cultural Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Arabic Instructor Mustafa Mustafa is retiring, leaving behind a lasting impact on generations of students …
Jacqueline-Bethel Tchouta Mougoué Announces New Book, Article, and Forthcoming Translation
Jacqueline-Bethel Tchouta Mougoué continues to build an impressive body of scholarship in African history, marked by new publications, translations, and a major forthcoming book. Her second book, tentatively titled Pan-African Pioneers and Religious Activism in …
Ainehi Edoro Achieves Tenure
Ainehi Edoro has officially been promoted to Associate Professor with tenure—a well-deserved recognition of her outstanding scholarship, teaching, and contributions to the academic community. This exciting milestone comes alongside the recent publication of her new …
Exploring Yoruba Masquerades in Modern Media: Opeyemi Salami’s Summer Fieldwork in Nigeria
With support from the Ebrahim Hussein Fellowship and the Aliko Songolo Award, Opeyemi Salami, Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of African Cultural Studies at UW-Madison, conducted fieldwork and archival research in Lagos, Ibadan, and Ijebu, …
UW Alumna Dr. Laura Tanna Reflects on Department’s Legacy in Jamaican Oral Narratives Podcast
Dr. Laura Tanna, who received her doctorate in African Languages and Literature from UW–Madison 45 years ago—before the department became African Cultural Studies—recently appeared on the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica podcast Jamaican Oral Narratives …
Ph.D. candidate Harry Kiiru featured in PBS documentary “Why Race Matters”
Earlier this summer, Harry Kiiru, Ph.D. candidate in African Cultural Studies at UW-Madison, was featured in the PBS documentary Why Race Matters. In the episode, Harry discusses identity, history, and belonging within the Black community …