The "Smoke, Lilies & Jade" lecture series was named after Harlem Renaissance writer Richard Bruce Nugent’s short story on gender, race, and sexuality. The Harlem Renaissance movement, often referred to as the New Negro movement in the 1920s and 30s, delved into issues of race, race consciousness, and identity through visual, literary arts and philosophical debates. Considered a "gay rebel" of that era, Nugent boldly addressed the issue of same-sex relationships--a highly charged issue for that day and even ours. In that vein, the series will reflect the diversity, intersection, and complexity of subjects undertaken by scholars, writers, artists, and community activists in the discipline of African American and Diaspora Studies. The series will also serve as an outreach and collaborative mechanism to and between Greater Nashville and Vanderbilt.

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The Africa Speaker Series

The Africa Speaker Series is a short-term initiative funded by the College of Arts & Science and sponsored by the Program in African American & Diaspora Studies to encourage the transmission of expert knowledge on African history, politics, and social affairs to the Vanderbilt Community.  We hope to bring in two outside speakers each academic year; one in the fall and one in the spring.  In addition to the Speaker Series, the fund will also support activities to increase the visibility of Africa and African studies on the Vanderbilt campus.  Such activities include art and photo exhibitions, symposiums, workshops, and community events involving Nashville's growing African immigrant community.  Please check back as we update our calendar for fall-spring 2008-2009.