2019 marks the 10th anniversary of the African American History Project at the University of Florida. Funded by the UF Office of the Provost, this research initiative has resulted in over twenty-five public history programs, university seminars on African American studies, conference presentations and scores of community-based oral history and Black History workshops across the country. The new collection includes over six hundred oral histories with African American elders in Florida telling stories of memories of slavery, resistance to segregation, anti-black racial violence, the coming of the modern civil rights movement and narratives of Black and Latinx intersectionality among many other topics.
This symposium marks the formal opening of the Joel Buchanan Archive of African American Oral History at the University of Florida to scholars, students, and researchers worldwide. Joel Buchanan (1948-2014) was a beloved civil rights activist, historian and librarian in Gainesville and at the University of Florida. Joel was an indispensable member of the community, a tireless speaker who gave countless lectures and informal talks to elementary, high school and college students about the histories of segregation, the civil rights movement, and Gainesville. Joel used history to share his dreams of a better future for all. Joel guided generations of high school, college and university students in the completion of their class projects and dissertations. The naming of this collection is meant to pay homage to Joel Buchanan’s vision of history and social justice.
The symposium will feature panels, films, exhibits, performances, and lectures on many different facets of Black History. The event will bring together scholars, educators, and community organizers to discuss how to infuse African American history in K-12, higher education and social justice organizing on a national level. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss the role of African American history in classrooms, communities, and civic engagement.
The event will also feature book-signings of noted authors.
