Africana Studies, a transdisciplinary degree granting program at The University of New Mexico (UNM), offers students a full understanding of the global linkages between peoples of Africa and other African descended people in the Southwest, the contiguous United States and throughout Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Recently, Africana Studies announced the formation of its Friends of Africana Studies Advisory Team (FASAT), with 11 key appointments:

Harold Bailey

 

Harold Bailey, Ph.D.
Chairman of the FASAT
NAACP Albuquerque Chapter President

 

Marilyn Hill

 

Marilyn Hill
New Mexico Tax and Revenue Department
Retired Deputy Cabinet Secretary

 

Brandi Stone, M.A.

 

Brandi Stone, M.A.
Program Specialist
UNM African American Student Services 

 

Hakim Bellamy

 

Hakim Bellamy, M.A.
City of Albuquerque
Deputy Director of Cultural Services

 

Beverly McMillian

 

 

Beverly McMillan
Family Advocacy Center Coordinator

 

Rev. N.D. Smith


Reverend N.D. Smith
President
Baptist Ministers Union

 

 

Mandisa Routheni

 

Mandisa Routheni
Africana Studies alum
Institute for Policy Studies Healthcare fellow


 

Harold Pope, Jr.

 

Harold Pope, Jr.
Board Chairman
March of Dimes Albuquerque 
Retired U.S. Airforce Captain

 

Beverly Jordan

 

Beverly Jordan
Education Outreach Coordinator
Office of African American Affairs 


 

Sam W.D. Johnson, J.D.


Sam W.D. Johnson, J.D.
Founding Student
Africana Studies Program 

 

 

Miracle Luster

 

Miracle Luster
Student Representative
Africana Studies

 


"The search for specific Advisory Team members to impact the current lifecycle of Africana Studies has been a strategic and thoughtful process," said Dr. Charles E. Becknell, Jr., Director of Africana Studies at UNM. "As we expand the scope of the Africana Studies agenda, we have established an advisory team with extensive experience in religion and social justice, fiscal services, non-profits, student affairs, and city and state government to provide guidance during our next phase of growth. We look forward to working with the respected members and leveraging their leadership to further Africana Studies’ current and future goals."

The members of FASAT will work closely with the Director of Africana Studies to support administrative efforts that will lead to department status for the Africana Studies program; identify and engage funding sources to support the academic, research, and public/community service projects of Africana Studies; assist the Director of Africana Studies with the annual graduation ceremony, the planning of the annual state meeting on Black Studies, and the planning of the 50th Anniversary of Black Studies at UNM; promote and support activities and programs sponsored by Africana Studies; develop an annual report of Committee activities; and other assignments and duties as assigned by the Director of Africana Studies.