Africana Studies
Challenge systemic oppression and champion social justice
Explore the history, politics, society, economy, and culture that shape the lives of Black people in the African diaspora. Broaden your perspective of the Black experience in the United States and around the world.
A bachelor's degree in Africana Studies — offered through Simmons’ Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences — equips you with the knowledge and tools to promote social justice and racial equity. This interdisciplinary and transnational program grounds itself in the humanities and social sciences. You'll engage in intersectional studies of race, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality.
You can pursue Africana Studies as either a major or a minor. An Africana Studies degree pairs nicely with degrees in many fields serving Black communities and other people of color. Some examples of these types of fields include nursing, social work, education, nonprofits, law, politics, and criminal justice.
Why Major in Africana Studies at Simmons?
Simmons established the Black Studies program in 1972 in response to Black student activism on campus. Now known as Africana Studies, the program delves deep into the history and culture of people of African descent. You will learn about the Atlantic slave trade and the civil rights movement. You will also study issues affecting Black people in the present day.
As an Africana Studies major, you will develop strong skills in critical thinking, research, writing, and technology. These marketable and transferable abilities will prepare you to live and work in a diverse world.
You'll also learn cultural competency. Employers in education, social work, the nonprofit sector, medicine, law, and business seek out candidates with this skill.
As part of your studies, you’ll have opportunities to apply your knowledge in real-world settings. You’ll have access to internship opportunities in Greater Boston and have the flexibility to pursue self-designed internships and independent studies.
What Can You Do With a Degree in Africana Studies?
With a degree in Africana Studies, you will gain the tools to become a global citizen and actively contribute to shaping a more inclusive, equitable, and socially just world.
Our graduates thrive in fields like education, social work, nonprofit sectors, medicine, law, and business. The degree also is excellent preparation for graduate school.
Celebrating 50 Years of Africana Studies at Simmons
Learn about the history of Africana Studies, the work of its students and recent graduates, and explore oral histories of Black alums from the 1970s and 1980s.
Our Faculty
Tatiana M.F. Cruz
Assistant Professor and Interdisciplinary Program Director of Africana Studies and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Abel Djassi Amado
Associate Professor
Dawna Thomas
Professor and Chair of the Department of Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Daren Graves
Professor
Becky Thompson
Professor
Lena Zuckerwise
Associate Professor and Department Chair
Lynn Perry Wooten
President
Spotlight on Africana Studies Students and Alums
Simmons Alumna Centers Survivorship
Kenyora Lenair Johnson ’10, CEO of End Rape On Campus (EROC), is dedicated to elevating survivorship and centering marginalized populations. To honor Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we spoke with her about EROC’s bold initiatives, as well as Simmons’ intergenerational community.
Six Students Selected for the 2025 Senior Scholar Award
Ginjer Doherty ’25, Aviva Foster ’25, CJ Haggard ’25, Theo Hatfield ’25, Lili Malatinszky ’25, and Grace Walters ’25 have been selected for the prestigious Senior Scholar Award at Simmons University. Sponsored by the Provost’s Office and the Office of Research and Fellowships, the Senior Scholar Award recognizes outstanding scholarly research across different disciplinary fields.
Honoring the National Day of Racial Healing
January 21, 2025 — the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day — is the ninth annual National Day of Racial Healing (NDORH). Created by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, NDORH "is an opportunity to engage in collective action to create a more just and equitable world."
Merging a Scholarly Stance with Lived Experience
Africana Studies and Political Science double major Reham Zeroual ’24 discusses her engagement with Student Senate, her favorite courses and professors, as well as her experience as a first-generation college student.
Congratulations to the 2024 Senior Scholars
The annual Senior Scholar Award is sponsored by the Provost's Office and the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. The award recognizes six graduating seniors for their outstanding scholarship and contribution to a field of study.
Black Student Organization Honors Black History Month with Food, Festivities, and Intergenerational Community
Throughout Black History Month, all students are welcome to express their solidarity with Simmons’ Black community over cupcakes, soul food, music, and dancing. We spoke with BSO’s Soul President Gia Elie ’24, Soul Vice President Sunei Clarke ’24, and Soul of Communications Bartianna Brown ’24 about their passion for Black history and co-curating events that celebrate their culture.
Trans & Non-Binary Living-Learning Communities at Simmons Offer Residential Support and Allyship on Campus
The Trans & Non-Binary Living-Learning Communities (LLC) are for students who identify anywhere within the transgender and non-binary spectrum, as well as active allies. We spoke to students, staff, and Resident Advisors about how the LLC supports trans undergraduate students on campus.
Meet Keeva Haynes ’02, Senior Manager at PwC and Member of the African American Alumnae/i Association
In her career and volunteer work, Keeva Haynes is passionate about gender and racial equity. Working at a major accounting, audit, and consulting firm, Haynes manages performance, planning, and evaluations operations across partners in the U.S. and Mexico, as well...