That is what University of Alabama at Birmingham alumna Traci Jones is able to provide as Park Ranger for the A.G. Gaston Motel, located within Birmingham’s Civil Rights District. Jones, who graduated with a degree in African American Studies in 2016, offers an informative look into the past through her role with the historic site.

The African American Studies program in the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s College of Arts and Sciences includes courses examining the lasting impact of music, movies, and television, from depictions of racial stereotypes to expressions of cultural pride. Here is a look at a few of the courses being offered within the program:

Hip Hop Forum is one of UAB’s many events to celebrate Black History Month through education, outreach and engagement.

Speakers for “A Tale of Two Cities: Atlanta and Birmingham During the Civil Rights Movement” will shed light on how city governments, civil society leaders and urban geographies can advance or obstruct racial justice and human rights.

UAB Blazers will live the tenets of Creed Week by packing meals for the hungry, engaging in social justice discussions and more.

Black History Month at UAB brings everyone together for explorations of history, language and Gullah culture, and see “Black Is Beautiful,” Will Downing with Maysa, and Ranky Tanky.

Twenty-seven College of Arts and Sciences employees who have worked at UAB for 20 years or more were recognized at the UAB Service Awards reception on April 11, 2022.

Martez Files, Ph.D., delivered 1,000 mental health kits to youth in rural Alabama during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joyce-Zoe Farley, Ph.D., visiting assistant professor of African American Studies and Public History at UAB, shares three things to read, watch, and listen to in honor of Black History Month.

Anissa Latham nurtured her storytelling and filmmaking skills during her time at University of Alabama at Birmingham — now, with new partners and supporters investing in her work, she’s bringing her creative vision to the world.

Pursuing a double major requires focus, effort, and passion. Add a global pandemic to the situation, and the experience becomes even more complex.

The third seminar in the UAB African American Studies Program’s Black mental health series will feature Joy Harden-Bradford, founder of the “Therapy for Black Girls” podcast.

Makayla Smith wants to use poetry to create spaces of joy and representation for Black, queer audiences.

The program was approved as a degree-granting program by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education on April 28, 2000.

This award honors alumni ages 40 or younger for significant accomplishments in industry and/or their career field or for service in the College.

Two psychology students have been invited to a unique fellowship highlighting addiction recovery and cultivating leaders on college campuses across the United States.

UAB African American Studies will be sponsoring Nikki Giovanni at the Spring Colloquium, where she will share her poetry and advice as an educator and activist.

Established in 2018, the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes full-time regular faculty members of College of Arts and Sciences who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in teaching.

UAB students learn history of African American hymn “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

This unique talk will cover the impact on the black community of DNA ancestry research, the trans-Atlantic slave trade and family tree exploration.