About the Project
50 Years of Africana Studies at Simmons University is a digital exhibit that documents the emergence and growth of Africana Studies at Simmons, provides an accessible way to explore records of Simmons Black history, and showcases student work in the program.
The research and items derive primarily from the Simmons University Archives. This exhibit was curated by Professor Tatiana Cruz and graduate student Mara Gregory, in partnership with University Archivist Jason Wood.
We also thank the many who generously shared their knowledge and experiences with us, especially the students and alumnae/i who participated in the Black Oral History Project.
Support
Phase I (Spring 2022) of the Simmons Black Oral History Project was made possible through the Simmons Public Humanities Faculty Seminar Fellowship. A special thank you to Dr. Laura R. Prieto (Alumni Chair in Public Humanities) and the 2021-2022 faculty fellows for all their support.
Phase II (Summer 2022) of the Simmons Black Oral History Project was made possible through a grant co-sponsored by the Simmons University Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships and Eileen Friars '72. A special thank you to Nakeisha M. Cody (Assistant Provost) and Jaime K. Libowitz (Operations Manager, Undergraduate Program) for all their support.
Phase III (Spring 2023) is currently underway. A special thank you to the Simmons African American Alumnae/i Association for their continued support and for inviting us to present on the project at the Black Alumnae/i Symposium on April 29, 2023.
Project Team
Director
Dr. Tatiana M.F. Cruz (she/her) is an Assistant Professor and Interdisciplinary Program Director of Africana Studies at Simmons University. She specializes in 20th century African American and Latinx history. She holds a B.A. from Williams College, and a M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.
Digital Curator
Mara Gregory (she/her) is a graduate student at the Simmons University School of Library and Information Science, pursing an MLIS with a concentration in Archives Management. She also has an MA in the History of Medicine and works as a program manager at an educational nonprofit.
Oral History Student-Interviewers:
- Karla Alba, M.A. '23
- Anna Boyles ‘22
- Laura-Luiza Cabral Gouvêa '24
- Sunei Clarke ‘24
- Sarah Granoff ‘23
- Alexandra Huamán '26
- Kas Hunt ‘23
- Kaycee Jackson '23
- Masumi Kagaya, M.A. '24
- María Elisa Martínez Anzola '23
- Kaela Roach ‘23
- Sara Slager ‘23
- Allie Toole ‘24
- Toben Traver, M.A./M.S. ‘22
- Reham Zeroual '24
Africana Studies Affiliated Faculty
- Dawna Thomas, Chair of the Department of Critical Race & Gender Studies, Professor of Sociology / Women’s & Gender Studies
- Abel Amado, Associate Professor of Political Science & International Relations
- Sheldon George, Chair & Professor of Literature and Writing
- Daren Graves, Associate Professor of Education & Social Work
- Marda Messay, Associate Professor of Modern Languages & Literature
- Frances Sullivan, Assistant Professor & Interdisciplinary Program Director of Migration Studies
- Becky Thompson, Professor of Sociology
- Lynn Perry Wooten, Simmons University President
- Lena Zuckerwise, Associate Professor of Political Science & International Relations