ATLAS is a focal point for the study of African languages, history, contemporary issues, and research at the University of Maryland
Film Screening: The Waste Commons
Friday, October 2, 2026 | 2-4 PM | Ulrich Recital Hall (Tawes Hall, 1121)
This film screening will be followed by a discussion with the director/producer/writer, Dr. Rosalind Fredericks.
This event is co-sponsored by the Department of Anthropology.
Bridging the Historical Narrative: From the Middle Passage to Current Community Connections
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 4-5 PM | Virtual
Bringing together historical research, genealogy, and community action, this presentation explores the history, heritage, and ongoing preservation of Prince George’s County’s African American communities. The Bowie Ancestors Project and the Friends of Historic Mt. Nebo Preservation Corporation (FOHMN-PC), share their experiences connecting generations of an African American community in Prince George’s County from the Transatlantic slave trade to present-day historic preservation and community building efforts.
Five-time Grammy Award winner and humanitarian Angélique Kidjo sits down with College of Arts and Humanities Dean Stephanie Shonekan for a poignant conversation about music, cultural fluency and global advocacy. Named by Time as one of the 100 most influential people in the world and “Africa’s premier diva,” Kidjo hails from Benin and blends musical traditions from West Africa and around the globe while incorporating multiple languages, including her own personal musical language.
During this special evening, Dean Shonekan and Kidjo will explore the artist’s music and how the singer has used her fame as a platform for humanitarian work as an ambassador for both Oxfam and UNICEF and a founder of the Batonga Foundation, which is dedicated to advancing girls’ education across Africa.
