Rochester Restart & COVID-19 Updates
We are committed to the health and safety of our community. Learn about plans for a safe restart this fall and get the latest COVID-19 news and updates.
Degree Program
Our interdisciplinary program in African and African-American studies integrates the social sciences and humanities.
Careers & Outcomes
AAS students pursue graduate studies and professional careers at prestigious institutions and organizations.
Collaborations
We partner with numerous other institutes, departments, and centers from across the University.
Recognizing Our Former Director
The FDI Executive Committee recognizes Cilas Kemedjio's 10 Years of Excellence as FDI Director
For the last ten years, Cilas Kemedjio has lead the Frederick Douglass Insititute for African and African-Studies. These have been, as they are now, turbulent times and much of the upheaval, the tragedy, and the promise of our moment grow out of a past and present marked by injustices related to race but also enlightened by the achievements of people of African descent wherever on the globe they have come to live. As Director, Cilas has worked tirelessly to expand our fields of inquiry into the diasporic and multilingual riches of Africa and the diaspora, while he has repeatedly brought into focus...
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FDI Speaker Series
"Stealing the Future: Black Childhood and the Ecological Imagination"
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
5 p.m.
Humanities Center, Conference Room D
Samira Abdur-Rahman, University of San Francisco will present “Stealing the Future: Black Childhood and the Ecological Imagination”.
Sponsored by the Frederick Douglass Institute for African and African-American Studies.
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Feature Event
FDI Film Series
Join us for "Free Entry Wednesdays"
The film series has been curated by postdoctoral fellows Zebulon Dingley and Grace Gipson and is sponsored by the Frederick Douglass Institute for African and African American Studies.
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Feature Story
Marius "Mimi" Kothor, PhD Candidate—Yale University
Mimi (pictured) is an alumna ('13) of the University of Rochester, where she received her degree in African and African American Studies. We are proud to share that she was featured in the New York Times for her Opinion Piece: Trump Is Trying to Kill the Program That Saved My Life. When you have a moment, check it out!
Way to Go, Mimi!
#WomenOfColorThatWow
Get Involved
Participate in or attend film screenings, dance festivals, lectures, poetry slams, community outreach, conferences, performances, and symposia.
View our calendar of events or sign up for our mailing list to receive notifications of upcoming events.
Calendar of Events
Historyand Culture
Humanitiesand Social Sciences
Researchand ScholarshipWant more information about the Frederick Douglass Institute? Contact us.