Learning the Ropes: Black Girlhood, Identity and the Power of Play

Schedule

In 2012, the Black Women’s Conference comes of age. This year marks the 18th year of the Annual Black Women’s Conference sponsored by the African American & Africana Studies Program (formerly African American Studies and Research Program) at the University of Kentucky. The consistency of this program in linking the University and the black community in dialogue makes it an extremely important event in the larger mission of the African American & Africana Studies Program and the University of Kentucky’s commitment to community engagement. Eighteen is a magical number in our society that defines the line between childhood and being an adult. In our reaching this symbolic marker, we have chosen to reflect on the early development of the women who have been the focus of this conference for so many years. The theme for this year is Learning the Ropes: Black Girlhood, Identity and the Power of Play.

It would be easy to recount the troubling statistics on black girls in the United States. We have instead chosen to highlight the triumphs as well as the challenges. The conference will include scholars from education, English, ethnomusicology, political science and medicine and draw from those engaged in powerful work with young girls and women in our local community. In addition to the distinguished speakers, we have included a day of play to remind the grown up girls of the joy and pass the tradition to the girls still growing. Please come and join us in our celebration of black girlhood.

Schedule