California State University Northridge’s Department of Africana Studies, beginning on Friday, Oct. 31, is hosting Africana Studies Week “Rooted and Rising: Revitalizing Africana Studies” to honor and preserve its history and energize its future.

Four separate events will take place in different locations across campus located at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge, all providing attendees with opportunities to learn and grow their knowledge about Africana studies.

“Now, more than ever, gatherings need to be intentional about how we promote self-determination and scholarship at our university to increase an awareness of our history on campus and throughout,” said Cedric D. Hackett, an Africana studies and director of CSUN’s DuBois-Hamer Institute for Academic Achievement.

On Friday, Oct. 31, a Plaque Dedication Ceremony will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. between Sierra Hall and Jerome Richfield Hall, near the center of campus. The dedication honors four founding faculty members of Africana studies. Two of the founding faculty members will be at the event that commemorates the inception of the Department of Africana Studies (formerly known as the Department of Pan African Studies) and the university’s commitment to increasing diversity on campus, Hackett said.

Bikefest, which takes place on Sunday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts on Nordhoff St., is also part of Africana Studies Week to encourage and incorporate health and wellness. Multiple bike ride events, vendors and music will be present that day.

An alumni panel discussion is scheduled to take place on Monday, Nov. 3, from 1 to 2:15 p.m. Moderated by Africana studies faculty member Lisbeth Gant-Britton, the discussion features Africana studies graduates from different decades who will offer insights of how the program has changed. Panelists include CSUN Africana studies professor Carroll Brown III, Patrick Johnson, Dynasty Taylor, Troy Strange, Tandalea Mercer and Shante Morgan-Carter, a professor of communication CSU Channel Islands and one of the founders of the Black Alumni Association at CSUN. The event takes place at the Flintridge Room inside the University Student Union (USU).

The week will culminate with a keynote address and “Faculty Feature Hour,” with Jasmin A. Young, a CSUN alumnus and an assistant professor at the University of California, Riverside in their Department of Ethnic Studies. Young, who has a doctorate in philosophy and American history, will give a talk focused on the theme of “Rooted and Rising.” Prior to the keynote speaker will be a fair style display of the current work by the faculty in CSUN’s Department of Africana Studies. The event takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 12 to 2:15 p.m. in the Grand Salon in the USU.

“I always ask, ‘How do we remain steadfast in our position in the world?’” Hackett said. “We continue to build a pipeline to higher education for prospective students while also maintaining a sense of motivation for students who are in our program to graduate and do the great things the Africana studies curriculum lays the foundation for.”

Jade C. Huell, chair of CSUN’s Department of Africana Studies added, “‘Rooted and Rising’ is more than a theme, it’s a reminder.”

“In a world that too often asks us to forget where we come from, Africana Studies Week calls us to remember, reconnect, and rise.” she said. “It’s a space for students, staff, and community to celebrate culture, question systems, and imagine new futures together.”