Earlier this year, CU Boulder’s Center for African and African American Studies (CAAAS) received $2 million in funding from the university to support it for the next five years. The center supports academic studies, research, and a student gathering place.
KGNU’s Jenny Ellis sat down with Dr. Reiland Rabaka, the Center’s director, for a thoughtful discussion about what that money will actually fund, and why the Center’s work is so important.
In February, CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz and CU President Todd Saliman announced a $2 million investment over five years for the Center for African & African American Studies, commonly referred to as “The Cause.” The announcement coincided with the start of Black History Month, the center’s fifth anniversary, CU Boulder’s 150th anniversary, and the 100th anniversary of the national observance of Black History Month.
Back in February, Dr. Rabaka spoke about what the center’s goals are for the next five years.
“ We are building a bridge from the Boulder campus to the Boulder community, and we wanna have a transformative impact on both,” Rabaka said. “This is not just a campus center.”
Dr. Rabaka also spoke about the center’s mission to elevate Black experiences, foster community, and create an inclusive space for students, faculty, and visitors, as well as what the investment means for the center moving into the future.
The Cause: Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy is a biweekly podcast hosted by Dr. Rabaka that examines the cultural, historical, and political forces shaping our world. The podcast brings Black intellectual traditions into conversation with contemporary struggles for justice and democracy. Listen to The Cause and learn more here.
The Beloved Community Program is the CAAAS’s social outreach, community engagement, and public education arm. Learn more about the Center’s Beloved Community Program here.
This story aired on A Public Affair, KGNU’s weekday morning show featuring in-depth discussions on local news issues. Click here to listen to other episodes of A Public Affair.
