Conference to highlight scholarship
By Donna Wong
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
A community of young scholars and artists will showcase the
world of Pan-African culture and academia in a conference Friday
and Saturday.
The UCLA African Activist Association is presenting its Third
Annual Young Scholars Conference that provides students the
opportunity to open eyes and minds with their research and ideas on
African-related issues.
There will be traditional food, photographic essays and a
performance by a prominent Los Angeles-based West African Dance
Company. Sid Lemelle, visiting UCLA professor, will give this
year’s keynote address.
As one of the early members of the African Activist Association,
Lemelle will present a paper dealing with black nationalism and
specific references to Pan-Africanism and its role within
academia.
"This year’s conference has also been expanded to include more
cultural elements," said N’Dine K. Rowe, vice chair of the African
Activist Association. "Africa is often viewed as an object where
academia is concerned. We need to understand and appreciate the
fact that there is much to be learned from culture, and cultural
activities, as well as other forms of research."
In its founding, the association’s principal mandate was to
ensure student input for all issues surrounding Africa and
Africans. To keep with this belief, they hosted their first Young
Scholars Conference in April 1992.
This is one of few such conferences that represents research on
a Pan-African level and gives students an opportunity to showcase
academic talent being cultivated at UCLA, organizers said.
"I think this conference is necessary not only for the student
who needs an outlet to present their research, but also for our
organization which historically has been a vanguard in terms of the
stance we take on issues, and the kinds of activities we sponsor,"
said association chair Elijah I Ajabu. "We strive to foster
cultural preservation and bring awareness to pressing Pan-African
issues and how these issues affect African people."
The conference will be held in the Fowler Museum of Cultural
History, which is currently housing an exhibit titled "Crowning
Achievements: African Arts of Dressing the Head."