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The
Institute's early beginnings are marked by intellectual
discussions sparked by the group's founders while they
were completing doctoral degrees at Bowling Green State
University in Bowling Green, Ohio. The earliest discussions
revolved around an integration of cultural theory, policy
studies, international relations and history. Upon joining
the professoriate, the group's founding Senior Fellows
sharpened their desire to connect the academy and community
in order to deal with the relevant social problems of
Africana peoples.
The staff of the Institute include an Executive Director,
an Associate Director and Directors of various departments,
evidencing its multi-dimensional structure and mission.
ACPSI also has a Board of Advisors which advise the
Executive Director and Executive Board. Founding Senior
Fellows comprise the Executive Board. Currently, Senior
Fellows serve, in the capacity, as Department Directors
who assist the Executive Director in leading the Institute
from locations spanning the East Coast, Midwest and
West Coast. Research and Policy Fellows, of varying
levels of expertise, carry out the research and advocacy
agenda of the Institute.
Founding Senior Fellows and Department Directors:
* Dr. Zachery Williams, Executive Director/Director
of Initiatives and Special Projects and Assistant Professor
of African American History/Pan African Studies at The
University of Akron.
* Dr. Floyd Beachum, Associate Director and Assistant
Professor of Urban Education at the University of Wisconsin
at Milwaukee.
* Dr. Babacar M'Baye, Assistant Director of Academic
Research and Publications and Assistant Professor of
Black Atlantic Studies at the Evergreen State College
in Olympia, Washington.
* Dr. Robert Smith, Director of Academic Research and
Publications and Assistant Professor of African and
African American Studies at University of North Carolina
at Charlotte.
* Dr. Seneca Vaught, Director of Information Technology
and Instructor of History at Bowling Green State University.
* Dr. Carlos McCray, Director of Policy Advocacy and
Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at Central
Connecticut State University in New Britain, Connecticut.
* Dr. Tim Lake, Director of Development and Assistant
Professor /Director of Malcolm X Institute at Wabash
College in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
"ACPSI
believes that the connection between culture and policy
studies provides a unique opportunity to examine the
lives of Africana peoples. The lives of Africana peoples
will be affected, one way or the other, by the legal,
economic, and civic policies approved and promoted by
governments," Dr. Tim Lake, Director of Development,
says. "The Institute's mission affirms the right to
link matters of policy with issues of culture because
culture is the foundation from which policies emerge
and through which they have import on our lives," Lake
says.
Among the numerous programs of the Institute include
an Africana News Network, Capacity Building Initiative,
Policy Advocacy Network, and numerous other demonstration
projects. Further, the ACPSI working papers and roundtable
series and speaker's bureau offer opportunities for
individuals to connect with the organization's current
work. The working paper series and roundtables strive
to address the racism, socioeconomic inequalities, and
vast array of classism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia
and other prejudices that continue to limit the conditions
of black people worldwide. The speaker's bureau provides
colleges and universities, churches, community groups,
nonprofit organizations, businesses and individuals
the opportunity to bring ACSPI Senior Fellows to their
city or campus to lecture, conduct workshops or offer
consultant services.
Furthermore, ACPSI has developed the following seven
(7) satellite centers that conduct cultures/policy research
in specific areas of interest to current Senior Fellow
research foci:
* Center for Black Public Intellectual Thought and Policy
* Center for African American Religion and Policy
* Center for Civil Rights Policy
* Center for Africana Justice and Liberation Studies
* Center for African American Urban Education and Policy
Studies
* Center for Black Atlantic Studies and Policy
* Center for Educational Leadership, Critical Race Studies,
and Policy
ACPSI is currently soliciting applications for fellowship
from scholars, activists, artists, authors, poets, and
people of all professions and from all walks of life
who are concerned with improving the quality of life
for Africans all over the world.
Learn more about ACPSI by visiting the Institute website.
For more information, contact Dr. Zachery Williams at
330-972-2402.
CONTACT:
Dr. Zachery Williams
Executive Director
Africana Cultures and Policy Studies Institute(ACPSI)
330-972-2402
www.theacpsi.org
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