The Department of Afroamerican and African Studies recently launched its historical website celebrating CAAS/DAAS' 50th year anniversary! Click the button below to explore and share your own memories! 

A message from our chair:

Read/Listen to our Alumni, Faculty, and Students below!

Danielle Williams, DAAS Major
To me, DAAS at 50 means 50 years of an initiative catered to students that look like me. An initiative meant to combat my social alienation while simultaneously supplying me with knowledge about the history of Black people in the United States and beyond!

Zoe Allen, DAAS 2020 Alumna

DAAS means family. I was so lost my freshman year before I even knew DAAS existed. I didn’t find the department until sophomore year, where I took my first DAAS class and fell in love. That same year, I declared it as my major. DAAS faculty and staff have supported me, challenged me to do better, and provided me with so much guidance ever since I set foot in their office. As a recent Black graduate, I can look back and say with certainty that DAAS helped me make the best out of the most strenuous times at U of M.

Young - Student Support Fund - 336848

In honor of Dr. Evans Young, a former Assistant Director of CAAS, former LSA Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Education and staunch supporter of DAAS, this fund will support DAAS undergraduate activities and projects. View videos below in support of Dr. Evans Young and his legacy. 

Angela D. Dillard,
Professor, Residential College, DAAS

Devon Keen, 
DAAS Alumna

Earl Lewis,
Thomas C. Holt Distinguished University Professor of History, Afroamerican and African Studies, and Public Policy; Director, Center for Social Solutions

Alford A. Young,
Arthur F. Thurnau Professor; Professor Sociology, DAAS