Course Description

In this course, we will provide inspiration and instruction on how and why African American families can begin the process of documenting and drafting their stories. Along with experts who will share knowledge of memory-making, genealogy, diverse storytelling, and using technology to capture and share those stories. Registrants will also participate in the University of Pittsburgh’s African American Family class, engaging in information on the Black family from socio-cultural/socioeconomic perspectives.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, participants should be able to:

• Understand how storytelling is connected to memory-making and why this matters
• Understand the foundations of beginning genealogy research
• Understand the diverse types of storytelling available to document family history
• Examine education, and mass incarceration on Black families.
• Identify cross-cultural strengths and challenges in African American families and communities

Required Texts

There is no required textbook for the master classes. For participants with the University of Pittsburgh class, readings will be made available from newspaper, magazine articles, book chapters.

Course Structure

The master classes will utilize guest lectures, student-led discussions, videos, and articles.

Class participation

As class is virtual and remote, class participants will need knowledge of how to access Zoom

Week 1 Sept. 24 6PM-7:30PM

MASTERING MEMORY MAKING AND DIVERSE STORYTELLING

• Memory-making – Prof. Kaniqua Robinson
• Diverse Storytelling – Multimedia Journalist Allegra Battle

Week 2 Oct 1 6:30PM-9PM

GLOBAL FAMILY FORUM: VOICES FROM HAITI/SOUTH AFRICA/ SOMALI BANTU

We’ll convene conversations with African-descended families from around the globe, discussing mother roles, father roles, economics, health, education, policies and more

Week 3 Oct 8 6PM-7:30PM

MASTERING GENEALOGY

• Foundations of Genealogy – Journalist/researcher Monica Haynes

Week 4 Oct 15 6:30PM-9PM

STUDENT/COMMUNIVERSITY ENGAGEMENT

• Understanding Afrocentric Ideas in Education
• Understanding Health: “Income and Self-Rated Mental Health: Diminished Returns for High Income Black Americans”
• Little Rock Nine 1957/Elizabeth Eckford
• Ruby Bridges
• Discussion

Week 5 Oct 22 6PM-7:30PM

MASTERING TECHNOLOGY

• Building video, audio, photography skills to tell stories – Journalist Olga George

Week 6 Oct 29 6:30PM-9PM

STUDENT/COMMUNIVERSITY ENGAGEMENT

• Understanding the Black Family and Mass Incarceration

To register, please contact:

Kirk D. Holbrook
Director, Community Engagement Center in the Hill District
University of Pittsburgh
KDH52@pitt.edu
412-598-2491