Welcome to Africana Studies

UNC Asheville’s Africana Studies minor is designed to give students an understanding and appreciation of the complexities of Africana people from both a historical and contemporary perspective. The courses will provide students with an interdisciplinary foundation to the broad issues affecting Africans and peoples of African descent with the aim of providing a grounded knowledge and appreciation of their experiences.

The Africana Studies program is designed to complement the liberal arts mission of UNC Asheville. Students pursuing a minor in Africana Studies will gain twenty-first century skills including critical thinking, problem solving, communication, collaboration, creativity, and innovation.

The focus areas of the program include Africa, African America, and the African Caribbean. The program's aim is to encourage freedom of thought, excellence in scholarship, and creativity of expression among students as they develop a deep understanding of the experience of Black people in society and culture.

Students can take advantage of study abroad opportunities in Ghana, typically led by Ghanaian native Agya Boakye-Boaten, associate professor and director of the Interdisciplinary, International and Africana Studies Programs.