Global History

The National Association of African American Studies & Affiliates (NAAAS) was founded in 1992 on the campus of Virginia State University, Petersburg, Virginia. The founders created a foundation that supports continuous growth, respect for global community, professional development and an overarching goal of providing faculty and students an opportunity to engage in scholarly endeavors. This goal has been expanded and, the following represents the foundation from which the organization derives its current direction and activity.

Goal

To serve as a resource for scholars in the field who desire information and support for research related to Africans and African-Americans, Hispanics, Latinos/as, Chicanos/as, Mexicans, Native Americans and Indigenous Peoples, Asians, and Asian Americans.

Objectives

To promote acquaintanceship and group effort among those interested in Africans, African Americans, Hispanics, Latinos/as, Chicanos/as, Mexicans, Native American and Indigenous Peoples, Asians and Asian Americans;
To further the cause of research associated with African, African American, Hispanic, Latino/a, Chicano/a, Mexican, Native American and Indigenous Peoples, Asian and Asian American Studies;
To stimulate greater public interest and create better informed public opinion regarding Africans, African Americans, Hispanics, Latinos/as, Chicanos/as, Mexicans, Native American and Indigenous Peoples, Asians and Asia Americans;
To serve as a forum for the expression of research and artistic endeavors in the celebration of the lives and works of Africans, African Americans, Hispanics, Latinos/as, Chicanos/as, Mexicans, Native American and Indigenous Peoples, Asians and Asian Americans;
To provide research and information on Africans, African Americans, Hispanics, Latinos/as, Chicanos/as, Mexicans, Native American and Indigenous Peoples, Asians and Asian Americans;
To promote globalization through international forums;
To maintain archives which will be made available to all who are desirous of using available resources; and
To support and host a national conference each year which will provide students and scholars an opportunity to present research in an open forum.

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In 1996, the National Association of Hispanic and Latino Studies became an affiliate of NAAAS. The National Association of Native American Studies and the International Association of Asian Studies became affiliates in 1998. To date, NAAAS is the only multicultural research organization in the United States whose board and generalmembership represents the four largest minority groups in the United States.A number of outstanding community leaders and scholars have served on the national board. Many of our past leaders are still very active with the organization and, serve in such capacities as consultant, program coordinator, and national representative for special projects, as well as spokesperson at special events. Leaders include, but are not limited to such individuals as Lt. Col. Kay Frances Hobson, U.S. Army (retired) (2000-2005); Dr. Brian Reed, Langston University (1995-2009), Dr. Lisa Jones, University of Houston-Clear Lake (2003-2008); Dr. Joyce Buckner-Brown, Centers for Disease Control (2000-2005); Dr. Veronica Lopez-Estrada, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (2002-2008); Dr. Eddie Jones, University of Arkansas (1996-2008) (deceased); Dr. Kathryn Brewer-Strayer; Stillman College (2001-2009); Mr. Ernesto Quiroga, Pima Community College (2005-2010); Dr. Gloria Bogdan (2006-2008) (deceased); Dr. Rita Henry-Brown, Albany State University (2002-2007); and Dr. Pierre-Damien Mvuyekure, University of Northern Iowa (1999-2006). These individuals will long be remembered for the countless hours and earnest time invested in contributing to the development of the organization.

Journal of Intercultural Disciplines

In 1997, NAAAS & Affiliates produced its first research publication, the Journal of Intercultural Disciplines (JID). The JID is a refereed/peer-reviewed journal, and; is found in college/university libraries throughout the world. Patrons and scholars may acquire copies of this publication from EBSCO and ProQuest LibraryServices. NAAAS & Affiliates also publishes a monograph series that comprises research papers presented at the national conference, regional meetings, the Sino-American International Research Forum, and specialized programs. All publications are housed in archives of ProQuest, Inc. Thus, all publications are available online through college/university libraries, specialized collections, agencies, etc. The national organization established a second referred/peer-reviewed journal in 2017. The Journal of Science and Exploratory Studies provides scholars from appropriate disciplines an opportunity to have her/his research published.

Historically, the national organization has served ashost for a national conference each February. Theconference attracts scholars from colleges anduniversities across the United States and manyforeign countries (e.g., Australia, Canada, China,England, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Norway, Sri-Lanka,Senegal, Cameroon, South Africa, Trinidad andTobago, Poland, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Turkey,U.A.E.). The national conference traditionallyprovides opportunities for scholars, students, andguests to engage in intellectual dialogue on a broadrange of topics. Traditional subject areas include immigration issues, social sciences,HIV/AIDS, fine arts, business, political sciences, health sciences, history, education,medicine, law, etc. Information is shared with attendees through paper presentations,round table and panel discussions, and demonstrations. The national organizationprovides undergraduate honor and graduate students the opportunity to participate in theconference through the creation of poster presentations. More than one hundred studentsparticipate in the poster presentation program on an annual basis. The conference alsoincludes health screenings, book fair, exhibits,entertainment, and academic training skills (e.g., testtaking and career planning) for junior and senior highschool students. NAAAS initiated the Pansy E.Jacobs Jackson National Student ResearchCompetition in 2014. Student scholars are awardedup to $20,000 for outstanding research. Theconference truly provides an experience forattendees that cannot be found in another setting.

International Program Descriptions

This is an annual program that rotates between the U.S. and abroad with an affiliate university. The forum involves 40-60 scholars who present research on select topics. Research presented during the forum is published by NAAAS & Affiliates in the monograph series.

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Joint Research Project

The organization facilitates arrangements for scholars in identical or related fields of studyto establish research partnerships.

National Conference

Includes more than 800 research presentations,panels, etc. for scholars from across the U.S. andmore than 20 countries. Topics relate to subjectsinvolving Africans, African Americans, Hispanics,Latinos/as, Chicanos/as, Mexicans, Native Americanand Indigenous Peoples, Asians and AsianAmericans. The national organization sponsors two(2) professionals from a foreign partnering institutionto attend and, present research during theconference.

National/International Culture Tours

The organization schedules tours annually in a country where there is a partneringuniversity. NAAAS & Affiliates also assists the international partnering university inmaking arrangements for faculty/administrators, etc. to enter and travel in the U.S.

Professional Home Stay

International Scholars reside with a U.S. university professor for a thirty (30) day periodduring the month of June, July or August. During the visit, the scholar conducts researchand/or directs four lectures. The host family and NAAAS provide accommodations, meals,local tours, access to research facilities, etc. The international scholar is responsible forhis/her airline travel.

Regional Conferences

Three-day research conferences are held in the U.S. and abroad. A conference scheduled in a foreign country is generally held on the campus of the partnering institution. Research presented during the conference is published by NAAAS & Affiliates.

Special Projects

The projects are diverse and may involve more than one person, an academic program,or university (e.g., international chorus Tour, Arts Festival).

International Partners

Cameroon

Saint Monica University, Buea

China

Ameriasia Culture & Education Association

Beijing Union University, Beijing Capital Normal University, Beijing

Guangxi Normal University, Guilin

Colombia

Universitaria Autonoma De Narino

India
University of Madras, Chennai

Mexico

Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, SaltilloUniversidad Autónoma de Yucatan, Merida

Mongolia

Dornagobi Medical School, Dornagobi

Nepal

University of Health Sciences

South Africa

Nelson Mandela University, Port ElizabethThe Phoenix Settlement, DurbanUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban

Trinidad & Tobago

University of Trinidad & TobagoUniversity of West Indies, Trinidad

Services provided the membership and support groups are quite diverse and unique.NAAAS & Affiliates continues to transition new programs into the overall operation of theorganization based on need for updated/change in existing program, global practices,requests from international academic partners and, education trends.A number of professional organizations have partnered with NAAAS & Affiliates in specialprojects, as well as involvement with the national conference. The Native American10Fatherhood and Family Association, Association of Title IX Administrator, National AfricanAmerican Drug Policy Coalition, the Phoenix Development Trust, the GandhiDevelopment Trust, T9 Masters and the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality,South South Cooperation Council, Amistad, and the American Association of UniversityWomen are representative of scholarly and community groups that have partnered withthe organization.

In 2016, the national association leadership had the fortunate opportunity to visit Ela Gandhi at the Phoenix Settlement in Durban, South Africa. The discussions contributed to NAAAS & Affiliates being commissioned to acquire three heritage inscriptions.

The inscriptions involved:

Provincial Permanent Heritage Protection awarded by the Office of KwaZulu-Natal Built Environment and Compliance;
National Heritage inscription awarded by the South African Heritage andResource Agency;
World Heritage inscription as recommended by the Republic of South Africa to UNESCO

The Phoenix Settlement was awarded national heritageinscription of September 25, 2020.The Phoenix Settlement was the home of Mahatma Gandhi from1903-1914. The settlement holds four historical buildings:Mahatma Gandhi’s home (built 1903); Press building (built 1904);Manilal Gandh’s home (built 1944); and the Gandhi Museum(built 1977). These buildings appear on thirty acres of land andare in an enclosed area north of the city of Durban.The national leadership and membership continue to invest anenormous amount of time and energy in researching academicand scholarly initiatives that would be of benefit to the entirecommunity. Continuous effort to reach segments of society thatare often unnoticed or invisible to the majority is a significantfocus. NAAAS & Affiliates continues to seek out those who desirediverse support and quality educational experiences.