Princeton’s Black Studies Center Has Hit the Ground Running

The Center for African American Studies at Princeton University, established just last year, has made tremendous strides in just a short time. Under the direction of Valerie A. Smith, Woodrow Wilson Professor of Literature, the center is quickly becoming a black studies powerhouse. Shortly, the center will be moving to its new headquarters in Stanhope Hall in the heart of the Princeton campus.

Since the center was founded last year, six new faculty members have been hired with joint appointments in other academic departments at Princeton. They are:

• Wallace Best, professor of religion
• Anne Cheng, professor of English
• Joshua Guild, assistant professor of history
• Angel Harris, assistant professor of sociology
• Melissa Harris-Lacewell, associate professor of politics
• Tera Hunter, professor of history

Four other scholars have received offers to join the Princeton faculty and several other searches are under way.

In addition, Judith Weisenfeld, a leading scholar of African-American religious history, was hired as a professor of religion.

The center’s visiting scholar program also will begin this academic year. The first visiting scholar is Imani Perry from the Rutgers University School of Law.

Also, the center will launch two lecture series this fall honoring Toni Morrison and James Baldwin.

Copyright © 2007. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. All rights reserved.