Why African American Studies?

African American studies in the past and today imparts knowledge that contributes to positive social change.

Our curriculum helps students learn how to define, measure, interpret and validate Black experiences. Graduates leave us ready to think and to act in order to solve the unstructured problems that confront Black communities.

Learn more about the value of a degree in African American studies.

News

“Remembering Paule: A Photo Memoir of Her Richmond Years” chronicles the friendship of Daryl Cumber Dance and Paule Marshall, the first tenured Black professors in the VCU Department of English. The photo on the cover was taken in March 1995 at Howard University when Dance and Marshall attended Toni Morrison’s gala establishing The Sterling A. Brown Chair.

March 15, 2024

In new book, Daryl Cumber Dance chronicles her ties to revered author and VCU colleague Paule Marshall

Photo memoir by retired English professor documents a friendship and legacy that the ‘truth warriors’ nurtured for decades.

Jacob Helt and Kimberley Neal-Helt caught each other’s eye at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus. (Tom Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Feb. 13, 2024

Ram romances: Their first (and second) impressions were way off, but Kimberley Neal-Helt and Jacob Helt found their way to happy ‘havoc’

VCU alums from 2015 and 2016 overcame mixed messages – and a rocky first date – and eventually tied the knot where they met.

Tarazha Jenkins, a triple major at VCU, has interned with Sen. Tim Kaine, Rep. Bobby Scott and the MSNBC show “All In With Chris Hayes.” (Tom Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Dec. 13, 2023

Class of 2023: Tarazha Jenkins embraces the power of three majors

Jenkins nurtures a passion for politics and communications that already has given her Capitol Hill and media experience.

AFAM Spotlight