The Triangle African American History Colloquium invites proposals for single papers or complete sessions related to the theme of black politics across a range of time periods, areas, and disciplines. In an academic year that promises significant developments in national politics, scholarship related to the past, present, and future political concerns of blacks in the United States seems particularly relevant. While concerned with the motivations of black voters, the conference also seeks papers that move beyond the field of formal, electoral politics to consider how African Americans, Africans, or other individuals of African descent have sought, and continue to seek, ways to define, express, and achieve their political goals.

The conference seeks to address questions such as: How did free and enslaved blacks in the United States assert themselves as political actors before the Civil War? In the decades following emancipation, how did blacks express and achieve their political goals? How has the meaning of “black politics” shifted over the course of the black freedom struggle? How have similarities and differences along the lines of class and gender shaped black political movements? Do the black politics of the past inform or influence the black population in the United States today? How might we characterize black politics today? In answering these questions, this conference should shed light on the myriad and complex ways in which scholars can interpret the political actors, beliefs, and movements that have shaped, and continue to shape, modern America. Topics for papers and panels might include grassroots movements, cultural politics, government policy, political leadership or any other area related to the conference theme.

The Conference Committee is pleased to announce that this year’s conference will feature a keynote address by Angela D. Dillard, Professor in the University of Michigan’s Residential College and Center of Afroamerican and African Studies. Professor Dillard, who also serves as the Director of the Residential College, is currently working on a political biography of civil rights icon James H. Meredith.

Eligibility: Proposals from faculty, independent scholars, and graduate students are welcome. They should be concise and consist of approximately 150-200 words.

Deadline: The deadline for proposals is Saturday, November 17. No proposals received after that date will be considered. Please respond via email to unctaahc@gmail.com with your name, institution, title, email address, proposed paper title, 150-200 word abstract, and curriculum vitae. Please put “Conference Proposal” in your subject line.

Questions and concerns may be addressed to Brandon R. Byrd at unctaahc@gmail.com