Africana Studies (Minor)

Rooted in student activism and a radical vision for change, Africana/Black Studies at Trinity began as a demand, voiced by the Afro-American Society (now the Black Student Alliance) in the late 1960s, for Black culture and history to be recognized, studied, and celebrated on campus. Focused on self-determination, Black radicalism, and Black pride, university students from across the United States demanded that administrators address the lack of Black culture on college campuses and within the curriculum during the 1960s. Today, that legacy lives on in the Africana Studies Minor Program at Trinity, officially launched in 2020.

Why Choose Africana Studies?

Africana Studies is more than a course of study; it’s a call to action. Centered in Washington, D.C., and grounded in the global Black experience, Trinity’s Africana Studies program explores the rich histories, cultures, and political struggles of African, African American, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latin American, and broader African diaspora communities. From Civil Rights and Black Power to Black women’s studies, from art and music to global liberation movements, Africana Studies empowers students to think critically, engage purposefully, and advocate with passion.

At its core, Africana Studies extends far beyond the classroom. It’s about building connections with communities, engaging in collective struggle, and working toward liberation. The ultimate goal of Africana/Black Studies is to inspire informed action that upholds the dignity, humanity, and future of Black people everywhere.

Whether you’re majoring in the humanities, social sciences, education, or STEM, minoring in Africana Studies deepens your understanding of the world and your place in it.

What You’ll Gain:

• A deeper knowledge of Black histories and cultures in a global context
• Tools for critical thinking, civic engagement, activism, and social justice
• Preparation for careers in education, policy, public health, the arts, and more
• A strong foundation for graduate and professional study in a range of disciplines

Africana Studies in Action: Learning Beyond the Classroom

Africana Studies at Trinity extends far beyond lectures and textbooks. Our students actively engage in opportunities that connect classroom learning to real-world experiences. They have studied abroad in places like Ghana, conducted independent research through AFST 491: Independent Study, and interned at institutions such as the African American Civil War Museum.

Many are also active members of campus organizations like the Black Student Alliance and the Butterfly Network, contributing to community building and advocacy.

Additionally, students are encouraged to expand their global perspective by studying an African language at Howard University through Trinity’s consortium program, an invaluable way to deepen cultural and linguistic understanding.

Your Space for Empowerment: The Africana Studies Reading Room As a communal extension of the Africana Studies program, the Africana Studies Reading Room offers students a dedicated space to study, collaborate, and reflect. Located on the second floor of the Sister Helen Sheehan Library, this maroon community space serves as the heart of the program, a home for critical texts, cultural artifacts, and resources that center Africana and Black histories, thought, and global contributions.

But it’s more than a study room.

The Reading Room is a space of empowerment, belonging, and intellectual freedom, where students can engage with the legacy of the Black radical tradition and imagine new possibilities for the future. It’s where community and scholarship meet, and where the spirit of liberation lives on.

Africana Studies in Global Affairs: Students majoring in Global Affairs can also pursue a concentration in Africana Studies, offering a unique intersection of international relations and the Black global experience

Why Study Africana Studies in Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. offers unparalleled opportunities for students pursuing an Africana Studies minor. As the nation’s capital and a city with deep African American historical roots, D.C. provides a living laboratory for engaging with Black history, politics, art, and culture. At Trinity, your campus is practically next door if you are resident of the District, Prince George’s County, Maryland, Montgomery County, Maryland, Alexandria Virginia, Arlington County, Virginia, and Fairfax County, Virginia.

Access to Unmatched Resources

Students benefit from proximity to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Library of Congress’s extensive African diaspora collections, and the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. These world-class institutions offer research opportunities and primary source materials unavailable elsewhere. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library’s Special Collections also houses significant archives documenting African American history in the nation’s capital, including the DC Community Archives and Black Studies Center.

Policy and Advocacy Connections

Washington D.C.’s position as a center for policy creation allows students to witness and participate in contemporary discussions about racial justice, equity, and global African affairs. Internships with Congressional offices, think tanks, and advocacy organizations provide practical experience applying academic concepts to real-world challenges.

Rich Cultural Heritage

The city’s historically Black neighborhoods like Shaw, U Street, and Anacostia have served as incubators for African American art, music, literature, and political thought. Students can engage with living history through community partnerships, cultural events, and local archives.

Global Diplomatic Community

With embassies representing nearly every African nation, Washington D.C. offers unique access to diplomats, cultural events, and perspectives from across the African continent and diaspora. This international presence enriches classroom discussions and research possibilities.

Career Preparation

Studying Africana Studies in D.C. positions graduates for careers in international development, public policy, museum curation, education, and community organizing. Our location facilitates networking with professionals working in these fields, creating pathways to meaningful employment after graduation.
By choosing to study Africana Studies at Trinity Washington University in Washington D.C., students immerse themselves in an environment where academic learning extends beyond the classroom into the cultural, political, and historical landscape of the city itself.