African Studies Students' Association of McGill University

Congratulations to Professor Wendell Nii Laryea Adjetey for receiving the 2024 Governor General’s History Award for Scholarly Research! 🏆✨ The prize, awarded by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, is Canada’s top honours in the field of history and heritage and is administered by Canada’s National History Society. His 2023 book, Cross-Border Cosmopolitans: The Making of a Pan-African North America, has been recognized for its remarkable contribution to the field of history and heritage. This well-deserved honor highlights the resilience, achievements, and sacrifices of African-Canadian and Black communities. Professor Adjetey's current course offerings focus on post-Reconstruction United States, Twentieth-Century African American, African Diaspora, African Canadian, North American, and Atlantic World history, continuing to shed light on the vital stories that shape our understanding of the past and present. Thank you, Professor Adjetey, for amplifying important narratives and enriching our understanding of Pan-African connections across North America. 

Event Recap: Waiting for Progress – Promises of Privatization and Conservation on an African Indigenous Frontier On November 14, the African Studies Students' Association of McGill University (ASSA), in collaboration with McGill’s African Studies Program, were honored to host Professor Kariuki Kirigia from the University of Toronto for an insightful and thought-provoking lecture. Professor Kirigia delved into the challenges and implications of privatization and conservation efforts in Southern Kenya, highlighting their effects on indigenous communities and sparking a rich discussion about the intersection of environmental policy, development, and indigenous rights. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Professor Kirigia for his expertise, mentorship, and continuous support of our academic community. His contributions inspire us to engage critically with these pressing issues and further explore the complexities of environmental policy, development, and indigenous rights. Thank you to everyone who joined us in making this event a success.

Event Recap: Life and Death of an Image – A Model(ed) Congo (1885–1908) This week, the African Studies Students' Association of McGill University, in collaboration with McGill’s African Studies Program and the Department of Art History & Communication Studies, was honored to host Professor @Sandrine Colard for an enlightening lecture. Professor Colard revisited the Congo Free State’s "atrocity photographs," offering a fresh perspective on African agency in documenting this history. She highlighted the pioneering work of H. A. Shanu, an African photographer who used early studio portraiture as a tool for anti-colonial advocacy. The talk challenged traditional narratives and underscored the transformative power of photography in shaping history from an African perspective. We extend our gratitude to Professor Colard and everyone who attended for contributing to an inspiring and thought-provoking event. Stay tuned for more opportunities to engage with African Studies at McGill University.

ASSA McGill Mixer Recap Last week, the African Studies Students' Association of McGill University hosted its first mixer of the academic year, creating an engaging space for students, faculty, and community members to connect and celebrate African Studies. Key Highlights: • Team Introductions: The ASSA executive team shared their vision for the year, emphasizing collaboration and community engagement. • Academic Insights: Professors introduced African Studies courses, sparking interest in exploring the diverse histories, cultures, and politics of Africa. • Interactive Kahoot Session: Attendees participated in a lively Kahoot game, testing their knowledge and building connections through friendly competition. • West African Cuisine: Guests enjoyed delicious dishes, showcasing the region’s rich culinary traditions. • Networking and Conversations: The event fostered meaningful discussions and connections among attendees, strengthening our community. Thank you to everyone who joined us. We look forward to more opportunities to engage, learn, and grow together throughout the year.

Join us for "Life and Death of An Image: A Model(ed) Congo (1885–1908)", a thought-provoking talk by Sandrine Colard, Assistant Professor of Art History at Rutgers University and curator-at-large at the KANAL-Centre Pompidou Museum in Brussels. 🗓️ Date: November 26 ⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM 📍 Location: Leacock 232 This lecture will revisit the infamous "atrocity photographs" that contributed to the downfall of the Congo Free State (1885–1908), focusing on the often-overlooked perspective of the Congo itself. Professor Colard will highlight the work of H. A. Shanu, one of the first African professional photographers in Congo, and explore how early photography intersected with anti-colonial resistance, propaganda, and portraiture from an African perspective. Don't miss this opportunity to dive into a transformative historical project that reframes early studio photography through the lens of African history and artistry. Organized by McGill's African Studies Program, with the co-sponsorship of the African Studies Students' Association of McGill University and the Department of Art History & Communications Studies.

Meet the 2024-2025 African Studies Student Association team! We are proud to represent and amplify African voices at McGill! Here’s to an incredible year ahead with this powerhouse crew 📚💼 #Leadership #Community #AfricanStudies

We are hosting our first event of the semester on Thursday, November 21st, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in W-120 of the Arts Building. The mixer will feature delicious West African finger foods and provide a welcoming space for professors, students, and colleagues to connect, engage in interdisciplinary conversations, and explore Africa’s diverse histories, cultures, and contributions.

We are excited to invite you to an upcoming lecture as part of our collective Speaker Series, hosted by the African Studies Students' Association of McGill University and the McGill University's Institute for the Study of International Development (ISID). We're delighted to announce that Dr. Kariuki Kirigia from the University of Toronto will be delivering an insightful lecture titled: "Waiting for Progress: Promises of Privatization and Conservation on an African Indigenous Frontier in Southern Kenya" Join us on Thursday November 14th from 16:30 to 18:00 for an engaging exploration of the intersections between privatization, conservation efforts, and the experiences of indigenous communities in Southern Kenya.

On March 14th the African Studies Students’ Society (ASSA) held its annual African Women Entrepreneurs Conference. For its 2024 edition, the conference took a deep dive into the world of social entrepreneurship with the aim of challenging stereotypes and stigma while highlighting the positive impact of social enterprises. We extend our sincere gratitude to our distinguished keynote speakers: - Professor Khalid Medani, the Chair of the African Studies Program. Who has always shown unwavering support to the ASSA and its initiatives. - Dean Carola Weil, the Dean of Continuing Studies a program that continuously uplifts so-called ‘non-traditional’ learners in their entrepreneurship. We were honored to host a panel of three successful and inspiring entrepreneurs: Tiffany Callender, Coumba Ngom, and Daly Anne Zogbo . Their wealth of knowledge and mentorship left a lasting impression on both students and professionals in attendance. Additionally, we had the pleasure to include in this years conference a roundtable discussion on the Mastercard Foundation Partner Research Fund: “A Comparative Study for Institutional Support to Mastercard Foundation Scholars in Experiential Learning and Entrepreneurship.” Preliminary findings of the study were shared and representatives from African student groups at McGill highlighted their experiences, providing invaluable insights as well as the challenges they face in the intersection of experiential learning and entrepreneurship. A big thank you to the MCF-PRF Study Team: Dr. Nii A. Addy, Dr. Gordon Adomdza, Violette Simard, Na'ilah Simone and Claudestine Williams-Tucker. We would also like to thank Joy Sebera, Imane Enette, and Gloria Muco for their transparency and valuable contributions to the discussion. To wrap up our dialogue on experiential learning and entrepreneurship we heard closing remarks from Raphael Ajima, who shared his unique perspective as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar Alumnus and a current staff at McGill University. Lastly, we concluded the event with a marketplace showcasing small African & Diaspora Women Businesses. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to Studio Claudi Beauty, Hilal Arts and Crafts, The Self Care Aesthetic, and Juice for sharing their talents with us. We also extend our thanks to Smallchops9ja and Lexas Bakery for providing delightful treats for the closing of this remarkable event. #ASSA #AfricanStudies #Entrepreneurship #SocialEnterprise #CommunityEngagement #Socialentrepreneurship #McGillUniversity

The McGill African Studies Students' Association (ASSA) is delighted to present the annual African Women Entrepreneurs Conference! 🗓️ Save the date for March 14th, 2024, as we delve into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship with this year's theme, "Social Entrepreneurship: Highlighting the Profitability of Social Entrepreneurship." Additionally, as part of the conference, we are thrilled to host a presentation on the key findings of the Mastercard Foundation Partner Research Fund Study on Experiential Learning and Entrepreneurship as well as a roundtable discussion. Representatives from African student groups at McGill will share their experiences, providing invaluable insights as well as the challenges they face in the intersection of experiential learning and entrepreneurship 🛍️ Experience the Marketplace showcasing small Black businesses and connect during the Networking Session, accompanied by small bites and refreshments. Join us at the Leacock Building, Room 232, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. Secure your spot by registering now: Registration Link This is not just a conference; it's a celebration of African entrepreneurship and empowerment.