Claflin University to Host Africana Studies Conference – January 29 - February 1

Claflin University to Host Africana Studies Conference - January 29 - February 1

Claflin University will host the 2026 Southern Regional Conference of the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations (ASCAC) from January 30-February 1, 2026, at the Claflin University Student Center, 1810 Magnolia Street, Orangeburg, South Carolina. The African and African American Studies (AAAS) Program at Claflin University will serve as the official campus host, welcoming scholars, students, and community members from across the region.

The conference theme, "Southern Visions of African Governance: A Century Cycle - Reclaiming Per Ankh (House of Life)," invites participants to explore African(a) models of governance, knowledge production, and institution-building and their significance for contemporary self-regulation and resiliency within our communities. In alignment with ASCAC's mission, the gathering will foreground African-centered scholarship, research, education, and creativity to reclaim and preserve the legacy of African people locally, regionally, and globally.
Dr. Riba Kelsey, the Southern Regional President of ASCAC, will provide regional leadership for the conference and collaborate closely with long-time ASCAC member and Claflin University associate professor Catherine L. Adams, a central organizer and liaison for the event. Together with the AAAS Program and regional ASCAC members, the organizing team is planning a program that bridges academic inquiry and community engagement.

Confirmed presenters include Dr. Greg Carr (Howard University and In Class with Carr), Akil Parker (Math influencer, Math professor, and creator of Histematics), Dr. Sam Livingston (Morehouse College and Friends of the Congo), Claflin students, and additional local presenters to be announced. The conference will feature plenary sessions, workshops, student presentations, cultural programming, and intergenerational dialogue designed to engage both academic and community audiences.

The ASCAC Southern Regional Conference is open to faculty, students, independent scholars, educators, cultural workers, and community organizations committed to African-centered research and practice. Registration is available online at the ASCAC Southern Region 2026 Eventbrite page: httpsascacsouth2026registration.eventbrite.com.

For more information about the conference, including registration, program updates, and participation opportunities, please contact:

Dr. Catherine L. Adams
African and African American Studies Program
Claflin University
Email: [email protected]