Obioma Nnaemeka, one of the foremost distinguished Africanists, will be the keynote speaker for Bowling
Green State University’s 16th annual Africana Studies Research Conference on Friday.
She is the Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor of French, Women’s/Gender Studies and African/African
Diaspora Studies and director of the Women’s Studies Program at Indiana University, Indianapolis, and
president of the Association of African Women Scholars and president/CEO of the Jessie Obidiegwu
Education Fund.
Hosted by the Africana Studies Program, the conference will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in 101
Olscamp Hall. The theme is "Emerging Perspectives in Africana Studies." The event showcases
the research and creativity of undergraduate and graduate students from Ohio and surrounding states as
they address issues affecting Africana people around the world.
Presentations will take place in the morning and afternoon, with Nnaemeka’s keynote talk, "African
Studies, Hegemonies and the Diaspora Question" presented during the noon luncheon.
To make reservations for the luncheon, contact Lisa Sokoloski at 419-372-7814 or [email protected]. Meat
and vegetarian options are available. Those wishing to come just for the free talk or presentations are
welcome.
Nnaemeka has received numerous national and international awards as well as grants and fellowships from
several foundations and agencies, including Rockefeller, MacArthur and Carnegie, along with others from
international organizations. She is a member of the board of directors of many nongovernmental
organizations.
As an expert on development, literary studies, African/African diaspora studies, women’s/gender studies,
human rights, peace and conflict resolution, she combines research and consultancy for the United
Nations, the World Bank, UNESCO, and other agencies. She has delivered more than a hundred keynote
addresses, lectures, and papers in over 60 countries on five continents.
She is the author of over 60 scholarly articles and book chapters, editor of the 10-volume "Women in
Africa and the African Diaspora," and author/editor of 13 books, including "Engendering Human
Rights: Cultural and Socio-economic Realities in Africa and the African Diaspora," "The
Politics of (M)Othering: Womanhood, Identity, and Resistance in African Literature," "Female
Circumcision and the Politics of Knowledge: African Women in Imperialist Discourses,"
"Sisterhood, Feminisms, and Power: From Africa to the Diaspora," and "Women, Creativity
and Dissidence."
For more information, contact Dr. Apollos Nwauwa, director of Africana Studies, at 419-372-9483
([email protected]) or Dr. Rebecca Skinner Green, world art and culture faculty member, at 419-372-8514
([email protected]).