Stories Archive

2018 Doss Scholarship Winner Announced

Congratulations to Stephen Thompson, the 2018 Ulysses S. Doss Scholarship winner. The award is given each year to a student in the African-American Studies program who has articulated the difference that black studies has made in their life and demonstrated their commitment to community...

Student in African-American Studies To Be Featured on National Stage

Tsiambwom Akuchu, a Theater and Dance graduate student, has been selected to perform his dance piece, "Every^Man (Alright)" at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts this summer. Akuchu developed the performance as a project for African-American Studies Director Tobin Miller Shearer's class...

Professor George Price Retires

On Thursday, April 12, students, faculty, and friends of African-American Studies gathered to honor retiring Professor George Price. Before a crowd of dozens of Dr. Price's supporters, speakers celebrated his wit, depth of knowledge, compassionate spirit, strong advocacy for his students, and...

Mayor Collins To Speak

Montana's first black mayor, Wilmot Collins, will speak at UM on Thursday, April 26, at 5:30 p.m. in the University Center Theater. The African-American Studies program is a proud sponsor of this event. Please join us. The event is free and open to the public. For more information or disability...

Shaun King Lecture A Success

Black Lives Matter activist Shaun King presented to a crowd of hundreds on Sunday, February 18. Despite sub-zero wind chills, the audience turned out to hear this nationally recognized civil rights leader discuss contemporary political and social issues pertinent to the contemporary Black...

Premier of LA92

Join us for the Missoula premier of LA92, a National Geographic documentary on the Los Angeles Rebellions of 1992, on Thursday, March 15, at 7:00 p.m. in the Jeannette Rankin Hall on the campus of the University of Montana. The event is free and open to the public. A short discussion will follow...

Black Professionals and the Expansion of Freedom

An excellent reflection on "Black Professionals and the Expansion of Freedom" by University of Montana English Professor Ashby Kinch on the occasion of hearing from Dr. Darlene Clark Hine.

Dr. Darlene Clark Hine Lectures at UM

Renowned historian of the African-American experience, Dr. Darlene Clark Hine, presented two lectures on the roots of the civil rights movement in the black professional class on Monday, February 12. She is pictured here with University of Montana president Seth Bodnar.

Dianna Riley Fund Established

In memory of long-time African-American Studies supporter, Dianna Riley, a fund to support AAST and the Black Student Union has been established. Already nearly $19,000 of the $50,000 goal has been reached.
In 1968, Ulysses S. Doss founded the department that would give birth to the...

AAST Student Wins Acclaim

Tsiambwom Akuchu, a graduate student in UM's theater and dance program, performs "Every^Man (Alright)” in AAST 141: Black From Africa to Hip-Hop. Akuchu's original performance piece has been selected for a national juried competition in spring 2018. Congratulations, Tsiambwom!

AAST Degree Opens Doors

Katie Fitzhugh, a UM African-American Studies alum, reports that her degree has "opened doors" as she is pursuing an architectural degree. She reports, "It's crazy how many professors in the Architectural History department have sought me out to tell me about what classes I should take and...

Ten Reasons to Join the African-American Studies Program

You will learn about the history of a fascinating community
You will learn how to talk with authority about race
You will get to study Voodoo
You will prepare yourself for careers in law, sports, history, journalism, sociology, education, entertainment, and many others
You will take fascinating...

Dance Up Close

African-American Studies student Tsiambwom Akuchu's performance piece representing historical themes he encountered in AAST 141: Black - From Africa to Hip-Hop will be featured in Dance Up Close on Friday, November 11, and Saturday, November 12, at the Performinings Center of the University Montana. Congratulations, Tsiwmbwom!

New Course on Defeating White Supremacy

AAST will offer a new course in Spring 2018: White Supremacy History/Defeat". The class will combine real life organizing and historical reading.
The course will be taught by Professor Tobin Miller Shearer and will be based on a learning community model where the students and professor work...

Soup and Pie Night Scheduled

Please join us for this semester's Soup and Pie Night, Wednesday, November 15, from 6-9 p.m. Friends, students, and supporters of the African-American Studies Program are invited. RSVP to tobin.shearer@umontana.edu for directions.

AAST 417 "Prayer and Civil Rights"

Students in AAST 417 "Prayer and Civil Rights" point to the analysis they did of a civil rights event.
The course is the only one like it in the country.
The course is taught by Professor Tobin Miller Shearer and fulfills the upper-division writing credit for both History and African-American Studies.

When Monuments Fall Lecture

AAS Faculty will appear on the panel "When Monuments Fall," on Wednesday, September 13, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. in the Mansfield Library.

#ride4blacksolidarity

In preparation for the 50th anniversary of Black Studies at UM, from July 29-August 4, AAS Director Tobin Miller Shearer will ride 500 miles in a week to raise funds for UM's African-American Studies Program and Black Student Union.

"It seems like the time to do something positive, something that offers some movement forward. Something hopeful." To read more, click here.

10 Ways To Support the Ride

From contributing funds to sharing a link to providing a meal or night's lodgin, there are many ways to support #ride4blacksolidarity.

Eritrea Lecture Announced

Please join us for a lecture on Eritrea: The Country, Culture, and Circumstance on Wednesday, March 8, 6-8 p.m. in the UC Theater on the UM Campus. Presentations will be by Kimberly A. Maynard and Solom M. Gofie. More information can be found on this SoftLanding webpage. The African-American...

Free Speech Panel

Join us for the panel Academia, Research, and Free Speech in the Trump Era on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. in the UC North Ballroom. Speakers include law professor Eduardo Capulong, African-American Studies Director Tobin Miller Shearer, and forestry professor Dianna Six....

AAS Director Sets Safe Space

AAS Director Tobin Miller Shearer has declared his office to be a safe space for all students. Other faculty from across the UM campus and around the country have asked permission to replicate his sign on their office doors.

Soup and Pie Night held

More than 45 students, friends, and faculty of the African-American Studies Program enjoyed our biannual Soup and Pie Night, Wednesday, December 7. Students in African-American Studies courses receive an invitation to attend each semester.

Independent Features Af-Am Program

Thanks to UM's African-American Studies alum Charlie Bromley for this short article on our program in The Independent ( click through and scroll to the end of the third page).

New Major Offered

African American Studies now offer a 36-credit major.
See Requirements for mor information.

BSU Founders Celebrated

African-American Studies Program donors Diana and Larry Riley donated a beautiful framed portrait of the four founding members of UM's Black Studies Program.
Dee Daniels, Marco Gray, Herb White, and Esther Hadley Doss each received plaques honoring their contributions during the 45th Anniversary...

Historical Trauma Symposium

Graphic recorder Alex Alviar created storyboards for all panelists and presentations at Historical Trauma: A Symposium, November 4-5, 2015, an event co-sponsored by AAS with the Holocaust Museum.

Soup and Pie Night Celebrates AAS

More than fifty faculty, students, and friends of AAS gathered for the fall 2015 soup and pie night on Wednesday, December 2.

Students, faculty, and friends of the African-American Studies Program gathered on Wednesday, November 15, for conversation, soup, and lots and lots of pie. Over one hundred slices of pie were consumed in the course of the evening. Students in African-American Studies classes receive an...