We invite proposals for individual papers and group and panel sessions. The organizers encourage submissions from university/college professors, independent scholars, K-12 teachers, artists, graduate students, and activists from all disciplines, perspectives and fields of endeavor. The conference will attempt to adopt a very comprehensive approach to examining the issues of race, gender, place and memory in working with local communities. Specialists from various disciplines are encouraged to participate. The conference is explicitly interdisciplinary, bringing together a national group of scholars from the fields of History, Literature, Education, English, African American Studies, American Studies, Ethnic Studies, Women’s Studies, the Social Sciences, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, and Anthropology.

Paper topics may address any issue/subject under the broad conference theme of African American Biography. Issues with wide-ranging, multi-disciplinary approaches are particularly encouraged, such as American Studies, African American Studies, Cultural Studies, Ethnic Studies, Local and State history, Literary Studies, and Women Studies. Papers connecting local concerns with national themes are, of course, timely and appropriate.

Send CV and one page abstracts (preferably via e-mail, Microsoft Word attachments)
By June 1, 2006 to f.jonessneed@mcla.edu
Please include your complete address, institutional affiliation if any, phone number and e-mail address.