|
The
New York African Studies Association (NYASA) founded in 1967 traces its
roots to the SUNY African Studies Faculty Association. NYASA is one of
only two
regional Africanist organizations in the United States providing the
opportunity, particularly for Africanists throughout New York and the
Northeastern United States to have discourse about developments in
Africa and the African Diaspora.
NYASA provides avenues for Africanists and their allies to present
papers on various subject matters; nurture an atmosphere of cultural
interaction among diplomats, scholars, teachers and students; and
create a link to teaching and pedagaogical techniques among elementary,
secondary, and college teachers. A primary raison d'etre stated in the
Association's bylaws is to sponsor different forms of scholarly
interchange, including workshops, seminars and an annual conference.
The first annual conference was in 1974 at SUNY New Paltz, and the
second annual conference was at Syracuse University in 1975, the same
year NYASA
was incorporated as a nonprofit organization. Cornell University hosted
the third NYASA conference in 1976. Professor Walter Rodney, author of How
Europe Underdeveloped Africa, was one of the featured speakers at
that conference. Many SUNY campuses and private universities and
colleges have organized the NYASA conference in past years, including
SUNY Binghamton and SUNY Oswego.
In the past, NYASA has recognized distinguished Africanist scholars,
precollegiate teachers and organizations that have provided
outstanding services to Africa and the African Diaspora. Doctors
Without Borders and Africa-American Institute (AAI) are
examples of recipients of the NYASA community service awards. Professor
Chinua Achebe, Professor Molefi Asante, Professor Ali A. Mazrui,
Professor Iris Berger, Professor Maulana Karenga and Professor Wilbert
LeMelle are examples of distinguished Africanist awardees.
|