Dear Griot Colleagues, Family and Friends,
The energy of a new semester is something we look forward to each year. We are kicking things off once again with a beloved tradition. We will amplify that start-of-the-year energy with some old and new colleagues!
Join us Saturday, August 29, 12–2 PM in the Terrace Room for the sounds, sights, and rhythms of Soul in Motion, who will be here to bring drums, dance, cloth, and community together. Along with Soul in Motion, ArtsFirst student performers will help us open the academic year the way we love to do it together, in motion, and full of spirit. This is a family-friendly event, and we welcome all of the Bucknell and wider community to join us as well.
This year The Griot Institute will be exploring the theme Pan-Africanism: Global Freedom Movements and Unrealized Dreams. Though most of our series will run in the Spring semester, we have a number of meaningful and engaging events planned this fall in line with our theme. We start the fall season with our opening event and continue through October with the Dancing Mind Challenge on October 24 and 25. In between, we’re excited to welcome journalist, author of six non-fiction books, photographer, and Columbia University professor Howard W. French, who will discuss his most recent book, A Second Emancipation, on Sept 30, 4:30 PM in Hildreth-Mirza Great Room. In preparation, we will hold a book group in September to explore and discuss French’s work before he arrives.
Together with the Humanities Center, we will host a visiting scholar on campus this year. Professor Mbih Jerome Tosam is on sabbatical from his home institution, the University of Bamenda in Cameroon, and while here is working to complete research and writing on his project in African Philosophy and Medicine.
We are also proud to be cosponsoring these events alongside our campus partners.
- Sept 10, 7 PM — Black Experiences Lecture: “Laboring Under Racism: Black Women, Medical Dispossession, and Obstetric Racism” with Dána-Ain Davis (Queens College – CUNY and CUNY Graduate Center)
- Oct 25, 2:00 PM — Ori: An Exploration of Brazilian Dance and Music
If you would like a full list of fall and spring events, please email us at griot@bucknell.edu.
As usual, events will be shared in this newsletter throughout the year as they approach. We look forward to seeing you at many of these gatherings, and particularly at our opening event in the Terrace Room on Saturday, August 29, from 12–2 PM.
The Griot Institute office (Hildreth-Mirza 202) is open most weekdays from 8–3. If you’re interested in a collaboration or starting a conversation, please reach out to us at griot@bucknell.edu.
Wishing all students and faculty an energized and meaningful first day and week of classes and a broader warm start to the fall season for all readers.
Warmest regards,
Cymone Fourshey
Professor of History and International Relations
Director, The Griot Institute for the Study of Black Lives and Cultures
Upcoming Events
Please note the updated location for the Griot Opening!
It will be held in the Terrace Room in the Elaine Langone Center (2nd floor)!
About the Griot
To check event dates, subscribe to the Griot Institute Public Event Calendar
Email: griot@bucknell.edu
Phone: 570-577-2123
Location: Hildreth-Mirza, 2nd Floor
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 3:00pm or by appointment
Director: C. Cymone Fourshey | Programs Manager: Michelle Lauver