IASFM is very happy to welcome and announce the appointment of Dr. Janita Heslup Bah to the Executive Committee as the IASFM Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Correspondent!
If anyone would like to know more information or would like to get work with Dr. Bah in supporting this initiative, please email her directly at iasfm.hbcu@gmail.com
Background:
Recently, the IASFM membership voted to approve a proposal submitted by former Executive Committee member Dr. Dorian Brown Crosby, that would create a Correspondent position within the Executive whose role would be to foster relationships and networks within HBCUs in the US. The proposal is below:
Context: In the 1800s, many institutions of higher education were founded to educate newly freed enslaved Africans in the United States. Predominantly in the U.S. South, these historically black colleges and universities or HBCUs are and remain critical to the U.S. for numerous reasons, one being that they produce the highest number of African Americans (descendants of the survivors of the Transatlantic Slave Trade) with degrees. Additionally, HBCUs are culturally connected to the African Diaspora. For example, many HBCUs employ and enroll African descended peoples, some of whom are or have been forcibly displaced. HBCUs also engage in study abroad and short-term study-travel programs, have international faculty, faculty who teach global affairs, and focus on forced migration and immigration; however, they are not members of IASFM.
Mission: This proposal seeks to increase IASFM’s membership through outreach to globally displaced persons and others enrolled, teaching, and otherwise employed at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States. The disconnect between HBCUs and participation in IASFM conferences or becoming members of IASFM can be alleviated through actions such as 1) more representation of IASFM in HBCU communications (social media, other disciplinary conferences, institutional literature) 2) formal and informal outreach from IASFM leadership to people associated with HBCUs to encourage membership and participation in IASFM conferences; 3) intentional panels and webinars comprised of HBCU presenters.
Implementation: Constant communications and outreach to HBCUs, programs, networks, and other means of including a diverse group of scholars, lived experiences, research, theories, practices, and perspectives will augment the membership and efforts of IASFM. The creation or connection to stipends or other financial support for international travel will also promote the increased participation and, ultimately, membership of HBCUs in IASFM. Financial support is especially critical for students.
Position: From among the elected IASFM Executive Committee members, the HBCU Communications Correspondent shall be designated by the IASFM President. The HBCU Correspondent is appointed by the IASFM president to build bridges that connect IASFM to HBCUs. The HBCU Communications Correspondent shall work with the IASFM Communications Coordinator to include and invite HBCUs to participate with and join IASFM. The HBCU Correspondent will provide a report of activities to the Executive Committee during Executive Committee meetings. A summary report shall be provided to the IASFM President at the end of the year.
Qualifications: The HBCU Correspondent must be committed to earnestly forging and maintaining connections with HBCUs toward increasing and diversifying the membership of IASFM. The HBCU Correspondent may or may not be affiliated with an HBCU. Ultimately, the person who fills this position must be sensitive to the history, culture, and challenges of HBCU institutions, their faculty, students, staff and Alumna/Alumni.
