The Future is Africa
Ideas and Innovation at the Epicenter of Transnational Africa
October 30–31, 2026
SUNY Geneseo, New York
Conference@nyasa.org
48th NYASA Annual Conference
The New York African Studies Association invites scholars, educators, students, practitioners, artists and community leaders to its 2026 Annual Conference, hosted at SUNY Geneseo, October 30–31, 2026.
This conference explores how global Africa and its diasporas are generating innovative frameworks, policy ideas, cultural movements, and intellectual contributions that shape the future of the world.
Drawing from cross-disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary perspectives, we invite proposals that consider questions of movement in relationship to identity and existence amongst Africans and how such evolutions advance African futures.
Conference Leadership
NYASA Chair: Professor Remi Alapo
Local Conference Chair: Professor Ọlaọcha Nwadiuto Nwabara (SUNY Geneseo)
Registration (Opening Summer 2026)
Academic/ Professional (incl. NYASA membership)
$130
Graduate Students (Online/ in-person)
$35
Undergraduate Students (Online/ in-person)
$25
Important Deadlines
March 30 – May 1
Early Abstract Submission
Abstract Submission Deadline
Conference Awards
NYASA Distinguished Africanist Award
Recognizing distinguished contributions to African Studies
Ali A. Mazrui Outstanding Publication Award
For outstanding book and educational activities
NYASA Book Award
Honoring excellence in Africana scholarship publications
Tom & Corinne Nyquist Service Award
For outstanding service to NYASA
Roger Gocking Student Award
Recognizing exceptional student contributions
Best Student Paper Award
$500 prize for the best student paper presented
NYASA 2026
State University of New York at Geneseo
Teachers’ Workshop
“Interdisciplinary Ways to Teaching Africa for Global Citizenship” is a teacher training workshop for teachers interested in integrating the study of Africa into their classrooms. Each instructor considers methods to encourage teachers to use accessible knowledge around them, and provides tools to take back to the classroom. Participants will receive 3 credits through two 90 minute sessions. Registration: SUNY Geneseo Webpage. Breakfast and lunch are included.
The sessions will be held at the same time as the New York African Studies Association (NYASA) conference. After the workshop, teachers will join African studies professors and graduate students for lunch, and are invited to the Keynote Speech thereafter (optional). Those interested in participating in the rest of the conference can do so at a reduced price ($35 for the rest of Friday including dinner, $60 for Friday and Saturday going through lunch to 4pm). Register separately https://nyasa.org/. A certificate of attendance will be issued.
NYASA 2026
State University of New York at Geneseo
Travel Logistics
We look forward to hosting you at Geneseo, NY for the 2026 NYASA Conference. We want to make your journey here as smooth as possible and have provided some travel details below.
Conference Location
Campus Address: 1 College Circle, Geneseo, NY 1445
Building 5 on map
Main Conference:
Milne Library (building 5 on map)
Building 6 on map
Friday Dinner/Saturday Lunch:
Multicultural Center at Blake Hall (building 6 on map)
Hotels
Guests to Geneseo usually like to stay either in Geneseo or in Rochester, which is about 30-40 minutes depending on where you stay. We encourage those who are flying into the conference to stay in Geneseo, because there is no bus to Geneseo. However Uber/Lyft is available.
We have blocks for the following hotels through Sept 30th.
Short drive/uber from campus:
Hampton Inn
4250 Lakeville Road, Geneseo, New York 14454
Phone: (585) 447-9040
[10 double rooms]
Block: Code – “SGC” | $175/night
Walking distance from campus:
Temple Hill B&B
114 Temple Hill Street, Geneseo, NY 14454
[Note: Small Bed and Breakfast has cats that roam the Inn]
Block: 160/night w/Breakfast [2 room block]
Big Tree Inn
46 Main Street, Geneseo
Phone: (585) 208-4504
Block: Code – “SGC” | $175/night
More hotels: Geneseo provides an extensive list of hotels — Geneseo area hotels list
Traveling to Geneseo
Travel by Air:
Parking
You can park in the Faculty/Staff parking lots during the conference, Oct 30-31. (Yellow on map) The closest lot to Milne Library (building 5) and the Multicultural Center (Blake, building 6) is C lot. This fills quickly. Others a short walk are A, L, and B is the largest lot. See map for more details.
Contact us at nyasaconference2026@gmail.com with any questions. We look forward to seeing you in Geneseo!.
NYASA 2026
State University of New York at Geneseo
Natural and Historical Tour
Sunday November 1st
Following NYASA 2026 at SUNY Geneseo, we welcome you to a tour of natural and historical sites in our region of Western New York. Hosted by SUNY Geneseo faculty and staff, the day includes stops at some of the sites that bring visitors worldwide including Letchworth State Park and a Fredrick Douglass focused historical tour of Rochester.
The tour is $25, and will include lunch at Addis Ababa Ethiopian Restaurant. Participation is first come, first serve. Sign up here, https://forms.gle/3karpQyHhKw3j3x69, by October 15th.
Tour Times
Full day 8:30am-5pm | Nature Tour 8:30am-11:30am | Lunch/Historical Tour 12:30-5pm.
Host: Clifton Harcum, Director of Multicultural Affairs
Time: 8:30am – Multicultural Center (if in van) | 9:00am – Humphrey Nature Center in Letchworth State Park (if traveling on own)
Description: Join us for a walking tour of Letchworth State Park. Led by Cliff, we will participate in a welcome and introduction to the Humphrey Nature Center and attached trail provided by Letchworth staff. This will be followed by a visit to the gorgeous Upper Falls.
Lunch - Addis Ababa Ethiopian Restaurant, 12:30pm
Host: Dr. Justin Behrend
Time: 2:00pm – Meet at Addis Ababa Restaurant
Description: Rochester’s history is intricately intertwined with the African American community, showcasing a tapestry of resilience, strength, and cultural contributions that have shaped the city. Many social justice activists made Rochester their home, most prominently Frederick Douglass, the renowned abolitionist. Join us for a historic Douglass landmarks visit in Rochester, including notable sites in the city and his final resting place in Mount Hope Cemetery.
Contact us at nyasaconference2026@gmail.com with any questions. We look forward to seeing you in Geneseo!.