Faculty and Staff

Department Chair and Advisor

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Maulana Karenga

Academic specialties/ Area of interest:

  • Black/Africana Studies theory and history
  • Africana (continental and diasporan) philosophy
  • Maatian ethics (Ancient Egyptian)
  • Ifa ethics (Ancient Yoruba)
  • African American intellectual history and social thought
  • Ethnic Studies
  • The socio-ethical thought of Malcolm X
  • Swahili language and literature

Publications

Books

  • Kawaida and Questions of Life and Struggle, 2008 (Best Book in Activist Scholarship 2009鈥擳he Diopian Institute Award for Excellence in Scholarship)
  • Maat, The Moral Ideal in Ancient Egypt: A Study in Classical African Ethics, 2006; 2004 (Best Book 2004鈥擳he Cheikh Anta Diop Award for Excellence in Scholarship)
  • Handbook of Black Studies, co-edited with Molefi Asante, 2005
  • Introduction to Black Studies, 3rd Edition, 2002
  • Odu Ifa: The Ethical Teachings, 1999
  • Kawaida: A Communitarian African Philosophy, 1997
  • The Million Man March / Day of Absence: A Commemorative Anthology, co-edited with Haki Madhubuti, 1996
  • Selections From the Husia: Sacred Wisdom of Ancient Egypt, 1984

Book Chapters

  • 鈥淢olefi Asante and the Afrocentric Initiative: Mapping the Terrain of His Intellectual Impact鈥, in Ama Mazama (ed.), Essays in Honor of an Intellectual Warrior: Molefi Kete Asante, Paris: Menaibuc, 2009, pp. 17-49
  • 鈥淭he Nguzo Saba and the Black Family: Principles and Practices of Well-Being and Flourishing,鈥 Maulana Karenga and Tiamoyo Karenga, co-authors, in Harriet Pipes McAdoo, (ed.), Black Families, 4th Ed, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2007, pp. 7-28.
  • 鈥淭he Field, Function and Future of Africana Studies: Critical Reflections on Its Mission, Meaning and Methodology,鈥 in Molefi Asante and Maulana Karenga, (eds.), Handbook of Black Studies, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2006, pp. 402-420
  • 鈥淧hilosophy in the African Tradition of Resistance: Issues of Human Freedom and Human Flourishing鈥, in Louis R. Gordon and Jane Anna Gordon, (eds.), Not Only the Master鈥檚 Tools: African American Studies in Theory and Practice, Boulder, CO: Paradigm Publishers, 2006, pp. 243-271
  • 鈥淣ommo, Kawaida and Communicative Practice: Bringing Good into the World,鈥 in Understanding African American Rhetoric: Classical Origins to Contemporary Innovations, (eds.) Ronald L. Jackson II and Elaine B. Richardson, New York: Routledge, 2003, pp. 3-22
  • 鈥淏lack Studies: A Critical Reassessment,鈥 Dispatches from the Ebony Tower: Intellectuals Confront the African American Experience, Manning Marable, (ed.), New York: Columbia University Press, 2000, pp. 162-170

Journal Articles

  • 鈥淣ames and Notions of Black Studies: Issues of Roots, Range and Relevance鈥, Journal of Black Studies, 40, 1 (2009), 41-64
  • 鈥淢aatian Discourse and Human Rights: Ancient Egyptian Textual Sources鈥, Africalogical Perspectives, 5, 1 (2008), 107-124
  • 鈥淭he Moral Anthropology of Marcus Garvey: In the Fullness of Ourselves鈥, Journal of Black Studies, 39, 2 (2008), 166-193
  • 鈥淒uBois and the Question of the Color Line: Race and Class in the Age of Globalization,鈥 Socialism and Democracy, 17, 1 (Winter-Spring, 2003), 141-160
  • 鈥淭he Pan-African Initiative in the Americas: Culture, Common Struggle and the Odu Ifa,鈥 National Political Science Review, 9, (2003), 156-172

Education Information (degrees and Universities attended)

  • Ph.D. in Social Ethics (emphasis in classical African ethics of ancient Egypt ), University of Southern California, 1994
  • Ph.D. in Political Science (emphasis in theory and practice of nationalism), United States International University, San Diego, 1976
  • B.A. and M.A. in Political Science (specialization in African Studies), University of California at Los Angeles, 1963, 1964.

Courses

  • AFRS 110: Introduction to Africana Studies
  • AFRS 150: Critical Thinking in Africana Studies
  • AFRS 215: U.S. Diversity and the Ethnic Experience
  • AFRS 319: Ethnic Experience in the U.S.
  • AFRS 332: Civil Rights and the Law
  • AFRS 353I: Religions of African Peoples
  • AFRS 498I: Ancient Egyptian Ethical Thought
  • AFRS 499: Directed Studies

Professional and community affiliations

Professional Affiliations

  • National Council for Black Studies, Board Member
  • African Heritage Studies Association, Member
  • California Black Faculty and Staff Association, Member
  • California Faculty Association, Member
  • Journal of Black Studies, Editorial Board
  • Western Journal of Black Studies, Editorial Board
  • The Black Scholar, Editorial Board

Community Affiliations

  • Kawaida Institute of Pan- African Studies, Los Angeles, Executive Director
  • African American Cultural Center (Us), Los Angeles, Executive Director
  • The Organization Us, National Chairman
  • National Association of Kawaida Organizations (NAKO), National Chairman
  • Knowledge Transfer Summit, Los Angeles, Member
  • Kwanzaa Ujima Collective, Chair
  • TransAfrica Forum, Member

Professional Awards (selected listing)

  • The Cheikh Anta Diop Award for Excellence in Scholarship, The Ankh Scientific Institute, The Annual Cheikh Anta Diop International Conference
  • C.L.R. James Award for Outstanding Publication of Scholarly Works that Advance the Discipline of Africana and Black Studies, National Council for Black Studies
  • The Diopian Institute Award for Excellence in Scholarship, The Diopian Institute for Scholarly Advancement, The Annual Cheikh Anta Diop International Conference
  • National Leadership Award for Outstanding Scholarly Achievements in Black Studies, National Council for Black Studies
  • President鈥檚 Award for Scholarship and Service in the Development of Black Studies, African Heritage Studies Association
  • Paul Robeson-Zora Neale Hurston Award for Scholarly Work Significantly Contributive to the Understanding, Development and Appreciation of African World Culture, National Council for Black Studies
  • Legacy Award for Milestone Contributions, Institute of the Black World 21st Century
  • Diop Exemplary Leadership Award, Department of African American Studies, Temple University
  • Peace Education Award for Distinguished Leadership, Scholarship and Education in Building Bridges Among Africans Throughout the World, Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution, California State University鈥擲acramento
  • Richard Allen Living Legend Award, African Methodist Episcopal Church
  • Pioneer Award, Rainbow PUSH Coalition and Citizenship Education Fund

Special Distinction

  • Creator of the African American and pan-African holiday Kwanzaa, a celebration of family, community and culture, 1966
  • Author of the authoritative work on Kwanzaa, Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture, 1998

Links

Tenured/Tenure-Track Faculty and Full-Time Lecturers

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Eva Bohler

Assistant Professor

Office: PSY-309
Phone: 562.985.8686
Email: eva.bohler@csulb.edu

Research Interests

  • African American Intellectual Histories
  • Africana Womanism
  • Black women in the Civil Rights Movement
  • Afrocentricity

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Africology and African American Studies, Temple University, 2021.
  • Master of Arts, English, Arcadia University, 2012.
  • Master of Arts, African American Studies, Temple University, 2006.
  • Bachelor of Arts, Humanities-Prelaw, Michigan State University, 2004.

Teaching Areas

  • Racial and Ethnic Studies
  • Africana Womanism
  • African American women in the Civil Rights Movement

Selected Publications

  • "Howard Thurman's Jesus and the Disinherited as a Framework for Victory," Black Perspectives, April 13, 2023.
  • "The Lyrical Activism of Sister Souljah," Black Perspectives, August 17, 2023.  
  • "Fighting to be heard: Black women and the Suffrage Movement," ABC-CLIO.
  • "It's not just a man's world: Examining the contributions of Black women to the Civil Rights Movement," ABC-CLIO.
  • "Portraits of Resilience: Examining the Scholarship of Dr. Carey H. Latimore," Siyabonana: The Journal of Africana Studies Special Issue: Maa Kheru: Honoring our Ancestor's Contributions to Africana Studies (forthcoming).
  • "Branches from Igi Ose': The Geneological Impact of Afrocentricity," in Afrocentricity: Generations of Theory in Practice, Edited by Aaron X. Smith. New York, NY: Universal Write Publications (forthcoming).
  • "Reflections and New Directions: Examining the Impact of Africana Womanism," in New Perspectives in Africana Studies: Volume 1, Edited by Crystal Edwards and Abul Pitre. Lanham, MD: Hamilton Books (forthcoming).

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M. Keith Claybrook

Associate Professor

Office: PSY-301
Phone: 562.985.5180
Email: m.keith.claybrook@csulb.edu

Professional Memberships

  • 2021 - Present - African American Intellectual History Society (Lifetime Member)
  • 2018 - Present - Association for the Study of African American Life and History
  • 2016 - Present - African Heritage Studies Association
  • 2007- Present - National Council for Black Studies

Professional and Community Leadership

  • Jan. 2025 - Present - African American Cultural Center of Long Beach, Board of Directors

Education

  • May 2016 - Cultural Studies, PhD, Claremont Graduate University
  • Aug. 2005 - General Education, MA, Loyola Marymount University
  • Dec. 2004 - History, BA, Loyola Marymount University
  • May 2002 - African American Studies, BA, Loyola Marymount University

Courses Taught

(*Indicates courses developed by Claybrook)

CSU, Long Beach

  • African American History to 1865
  • African American History from 1865-Present
  • Black Los Angeles*
  • Black Student Movement* (Forthcoming)
  • Critical Thinking in Africana Studies
  • Economic Development in the African American Community
  • History of Slavery
  • Introduction to Africana Studies
  • Introduction to Hip Hop
  • Introduction to Racial and Ethnic Studies
  • Politics of the African American Community
  • Racism and Sexism: An Analytic Approach (Capstone)
  • Research Methods in Africana Studies
  • Special Topics: Pathways to Men's Success

Book

  • Building the Basics: A Handbook for Pursuing Academic Excellence in Africana Studies, 2nd Edition, Kendall Hunt Press, 2021. (eBook and Print)

Journals

  • 鈥淏lack Power and Black Identity in Los Angeles: Renaming and Redefining Black Racial Identity Nationally and Locally,鈥 Siyabonana: Journal of Africana Studies, Vol. 1, No. 2, Summer 2023, pgs. 41- 79.
  • 鈥淩eframing the Black Student Movement: Conceptualizing Black Student Activism in the Black Activist-Intellectual Tradition, A Case Study in Los Angeles,鈥 Journal of African American Studies, March 17, 2023, .
  • 鈥淎frican Proverbs, Riddles, and Storytelling: Promoting African Deep Thought in Africana Studies鈥 Journal of Black Studies, March 6, 2023
  • 鈥淔rom Black Student Activist to Africana Scholar Activist: David C. Turner, III and Black Graduate Student Activism as Professional Development, A Case Study,鈥 Journal of Black Studies, Vol. 53, Nos. 4, 2022, pgs 323- 345,
  • 鈥淎fricana Studies and 21st Century Black Student Activism: A Biographical Sketch of David C. Turner, III,鈥 Journal of Black Studies, Vol. 52, Nos. 4, 2021, pgs. 359-378.
  • 鈥淧utting Some Soul into Critical Thinking: Towards an Approach and Process for Critical Thinking in Africana Studies,鈥 International Journal of Africana Studies, Vol. 21, Nos. 1-2, 2020, pgs. 126- 147.

Peer Reviewed Blogs

  • 鈥淔raming Black History in Freedom,鈥 Black Perspectives (Pending).
  • 鈥,鈥 Black Perspectives, November 15, 2024.
  • 鈥,鈥 Black Perspectives, October 9, 2024.
  • 鈥,鈥 Black Perspectives, April 3, 2024.
  • 鈥,鈥 Black Perspectives, January 18, 2024.
  • 鈥溾 Black Perspectives, January 11, 2024.
  • 鈥,鈥 Black Perspectives, November 28, 2023.
  • 鈥,鈥 Black Perspectives, November 6, 2023.
  • 鈥溾 Black Perspectives, September 26, 2023.
  • 鈥,鈥 Black Perspectives, May 9, 2023.
  • 鈥,鈥 Black Perspectives, February 21, 2023.
  • 鈥,鈥 Black Perspectives, January 16, 2023.
  • 鈥,鈥 Black Perspectives, December 9, 2022.
  • 鈥,鈥 Black Perspectives, October 28, 2022.
  • 鈥,鈥 Black Perspectives, August 11, 2022.
  • 鈥,鈥 Black Perspectives, June 23, 2022.
  • 鈥,鈥 Black Perspectives, April 11, 2022.
  • 鈥,鈥 Black Perspectives, March 1, 2022.
  • 鈥,鈥 Black Perspectives, September 10, 2021.
  • 鈥,鈥 Black Perspectives, August 13, 2021.

Podcast/Media Interviews

  • 鈥淏lack Past. Black Present. Black Future: Freedom鈥 Nicole D. Vick Live!, February 22, 2024.
  • 鈥淩eparations: Who Will Pay Reparations on Our Soul?鈥 Afrikan/ Black Coalition, February 24, 2022.
  • 鈥淗ow the Black Codes Limited African American Progress After the Civil War,鈥 History Stories, October 1, 2020.
  • 鈥淔ederal forces in Portland have legal standing, but break with precedent,鈥 The Denver Channel.com, August 28, 2020.
  • Today in L.A. on NBC4, Juneteenth Interview, June 16, 2020

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Alice Nicholas

Africologist and Assistant Professor

Office: PSY-303
Phone: 562.985.4697
Email: alice.nicholas@csulb.edu

Research

Afrocentricity, Africana womanism, Africana liberation, culture and cultural production

Education

  • Ph.D., Africology and African American Studies, Temple University, 2019.
  • M.A., Africology, California State University, Dominguez Hills, 2013.
  • B.A., English Literature and African American Studies (dual major), California State University, Dominguez Hills, 1993.

 

Publications

  •  "Chick Webb, The King of Swing" in Black Perspectives 
  • "Story #4,112,011: A'ight Now" and "Story #4,132,001: Idioms" - African American Review
  • "Story #8,112,016 from 10 Million Stories: Obsidian" - Voices from Leimert Park, Redux

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Uche Okafor

Lecturer

Office: PSY-307
Phone: 562.985.7843
Email: uche.okafor@csulb.edu

Academic Specialties / Areas of Interest

  • Africana Literature and Culture
  • Africana Theories of Gender Relationships
  • Third World Theories of Gender Relationships
  • Freshman Composition
  • Prebaccalaureate Language Skills
  • Creative Writing
  • Reimagining African Diaspora Families and Communities

Education Information (Degrees and Universities attended)

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Literary Studies, University of Nigeria, 2006; Dissertation:  A Comparative Study of Female Characters in the novels of Buchi Emecheta, Jamaica Kincaid and Alice Walker
  • Master of Arts Degree, Literature, University of Nigeria, 1993
  • Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education and English, University of Nigeria, 1987

Teaching Areas

  • African Literature and Culture
  • African American Literature and Culture
  • African American Theater
  • International Black Children鈥檚 Literature
  • Prebaccalaureate Language Skills
  • Freshman Composition
  • African American History to 1865

Professional Affiliations

  • National Council for Black Studies
  • Modern Language Association

Community Affiliations

  • Los Angeles World Affairs Council
  • Odinamba Women鈥檚 Cultural Association of Southern California

Special Distinctions

  • On September 17-18 2014, Dr. Okafor participated in the World Peace Summit tagged 鈥淭he Summit for the World Alliance for Religions of Peace鈥 in Seoul South Korea. Her paper was entitled鈥 Women as Peacemakers: The African Example鈥
  • On February 14 2015, and June 20 2015 respectively, Dr. Okafor made guest appearances on a television show Yaba TV Show on Channel 13 KCOP Los Angeles.

Dr. Okafor's Website

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Khonsura A. Wilson

Associate Professor 

Office: PSY-305
Phone: 562.985.8694
Email: khonsura.a.wilson@csulb.edu

Specialties

  • Afrocentric Theory and Praxis
  • Africana Philosophy (Aesthetics, Creativity, Spirituality, Ontology)
  • African American Social Thought (17th-20th century)
  • African Art and Design History
  • African History and Social Thought

 

Education

  • Temple University, Doctor of Philosophy in African American Studies, 2005. Dissertation: Makuneferu, The Truly Beautiful and Effective: An Afrocentric Study of Select 20th Century Creative Intellectuals: Towards a Portrait and Paradigm of Creative Thought and Ideal Creative Practice.
  • Temple University, Master of Arts in African American Studies, 1999. Concentration: Afrocentric theory and social praxis, African creative theories, and diverse modes of creative expression.
  • Rhode Island School of Design,  Master of Arts in Teaching, 1994. Advanced training in curriculum design.
  • Rhode Island School of Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts, 1992. Concentrations: Printmaking, multimedia illustration, sculpture, graphic design, art history, African literature, and Ancient Mexican art and civilization.
  • Brown University, Liberal Arts Courses, 1989-90. Areas of Study: African dance, Spanish culture, and language.

Courses Taught

  • AFRS 110 Introduction to Africana Studies 
  • AFRS 150 Critical Thinking
  • AFRS 155 African American Music 
  • AFRS 160 Introduction to Africana Art 
  • AFRS 255 Introduction to Hip Hop 
  • AFRS 330 Politics of the African American Community 
  • AFRS 400 African American Social Thought 
  • AFRS 363 African Art 

Publications

  1. Wilson, K. A. (2005). Kemet, Afrocentricity and Knowledge. In M. K. Asante & A. Mazama (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Black Studies (Vol. 1, pp. 295-297). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc. 
  2. Wilson, K. A. (2009d). Khonsu. In M. K. Asante & A. Mazama (Eds.), Encyclopedia of African Religions (pp. 363). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc. 
  3. Wilson, K. A. (2009k). Shedj-her-kek em Maa-aku-neferu: "Illuminating the Shadows of the African Creative Ideal" of W.E.B. DuBois. Journal of Black Studies 39(5), 744-760. 
  4. Wilson, K. A. (2010c). Veil and Veener of Intellectual Aesthetics. Journal of Black Studies, 40(6), 1107-1118. 
  5. Wilson, K.A (2013). The Cosmopolitan Creative Intellectual: The Creative Ideal of Paul Robeson. Journal of Black Studies, XX (X), 110.

Department Coordinator

Office: PSY-306
Phone: 562.985.4624
Email: chimbuko.tembo@csulb.edu

Part-Time Lecturers

  • Dr. Arnette Edwards
  • Dr. Zanele Furusa
  • Dr. Nathan Goodly
  • Prof. Marshall Goodman
  • Prof. Prince Gumbi
  • Dr. Jimmy Kirby, Jr.
  • Prof. Rita Page
  • Dr. Natalie Sartin
  • Dr. Sabrena Turner-Odom
  • Dr. La'Seanda Wesson
  • Prof. David Williams
  • Dr. Ngozi Williams 

Professors Emeriti

  • Professor Arnett Hartsfield
  • Dr. Alosi Moloi
  • Professor Amen Rahh
  • Dr. Jim C. Robinson
  • Dr. Ssendi Bede Ssensalo
  • Dr. Skyne Uku-Wertimer