ASWAD Conference

November 5-9, 2019

The Association for the Study of the Worldwide African Diaspora (ASWAD), an organization which has hosted conferences around the world from Ghana, Spain to Brazil invites the world to William & Mary November 5-9, 2019 for its 10th Biennial ASWAD Conference. The year 2019 is monumental as it marks the 20th Anniversary since the founding of ASWAD as an organization and marks the four hundredth year since slavery began in what became the United States with the arrival of approximately "twenty and odd" Africans who disembarked the White Lion along the shores of the James River at Port Comfort (now Fort Monroe) in Hampton, VA in August 1619. The Conference is co-sponsored by the Middle Passage Project in the Africana Studies Program at William & Mary.

Scholars, activists and artists, both nationally and internationally acclaimed, will come to W&M, Williamsburg and Virginia bringing their interdisciplinary expertise to talk about the Global African Diaspora occurring across the world from Africa, North and South America, the Caribbean, Middle East, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. ASWAD 2019 will be the platform for the exchange of ideas, political discourse and artistic expression, where the community will be invited to participate in this historic event.

ASWAD is a signature event of American Evolution 2019, which is providing sponsorship support as well as various offices across campus and private donors are supporting this conference. Beyond the scholarly presentations, ASWAD 2019 will host excursions to historical sites and showcase live theatrical and dance performances. Attendees can take part in an African Diaspora Film Festival, enjoy music, performances and participate in Remembrance ceremonies honoring our Ancestors and our collective past.

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