Wakanda & Black Liberatory Futures: Exploring Afrofuturism in Senegal

The African diaspora continues to be misrepresented in international and national media, further promoting the divide of African influence in American societies, cultures, and ways of being. Using historical and modern-day research methods, Afrofuturist and Pan-Africanist movements, community engagement, and cross-disciplinary approaches, engage in the design research process to tackle emerging community issues that directly oppress Black communities throughout the United States. Meet with Senegalese community members in a variety of industries and learn innovative, creative ways to help heal our communities, promote abolitionist principles, and advance collective liberation.

Course Description

This course will explore Black ancestral narratives to learn from the counter-stories of people throughout the African diaspora. Through discussion, writing, community-engaged research, and creative projects, we’ll examine current systems of oppression and their direct impact on Black communities in the United States.

At the end of the course, you’ll be able to:

• Identify West African cultural and design influences on modern-day society
• Apply historical and present-day West African practices toward the reimagining of Black liberatory futures in the United States
• Understand new ways to decolonize your understanding of design impact on society
• Identify ways systemic oppression is rooted in society and contributes to the oppression of Black communities
• Gain insight and new practices from community engagement throughout the West African diaspora to use in your work and discipline

Students will live in shared housing with other program participants. Welcome and farewell meals, as well as some additional meals are included in the program fee.

Excursions may include:

• Lake Retba (Pink Lake)
• Afro & Nature (beauty salon, hair professionals)
• Loman Art
• African Renaissance Monument
• Village des Arts and Musée des Civilizations Noires
• The Art Studio of Kalidou Kassé
• Gorée Island
• Black Rock
• Sandaga and HLM Markets
• Place du souvenir and musée de la femme
• Park de Bandia

It might be possible to deviate your return flight. Inquire with your program contact if interested.

• Develop independence by challenging yourself in a new environment
• Function as an effective team member by utilizing your personal strengths in a group setting
• Explore a specific topic through experiential and interdisciplinary approaches

This course is led by Terresa Moses, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design and Director of Design Justice and Simone Gbolo, Statewide Director Louis Stokes North Star STEM Alliance, Office for Equity and Diversity.

Information Sessions

Join in-person or over Zoom. Register and learn more about this and other events on our events page.

May Session 2024 Cost of Participation forthcoming

Program fees can vary widely due to location, cost of living, airfare, and program inclusions. The program fee generally includes tuition, group flight airfare, airport transfers, in-country program related transportation, housing, some meals, entrances to course-related excursions and site visits, program administration, and international health insurance. Generally, program fees range between $7,000–8,500.You must also budget for passport and passport photos, some meals, textbooks, independent travel, and miscellaneous living expenses.

If a student is required to isolate during the program dates, due to COVID-19, there may be an additional cost for the isolation period. Additional housing costs might also be covered by the onsite partner's insurance plan. In some cases, with agreement by students and prior approval from the university, roommates, apartment-mates or students who are in close contact with each other and who both test positive, may share a room in quarantine housing, in accordance with local regulations. This information is subject to change and will be updated accordingly.

COVID-19 Information

A COVID-19 vaccine & booster and negative COVID test before departure (own expense) may be required on arrival in country or at various venues in this location. This may change before departure. Participants are also expected to follow local and governmental COVID-19 guidelines and requirements such as masking, social distancing, or curfews. Admission and participation in areas of this program may require accessing venues or public transportation which require proof of COVID-19 vaccination and these requirements could be updated before departure or during the program. Participants will be required to present valid proof of vaccination to gain entrance or will not be able to participate in this portion of the program. Visit the CDC International Travel and the LAC COVID-19 Protocols or LAC COVID Policies pages for updated information.

More information can be provided during advising sessions and pre-departure orientation with the program contact in the LAC.