ACPSI Press Release

Institute Seeks to Improve the Plight of Africana Peoples Worldwide

Akron, OH (BlackNews.com) - An innovative community of scholar-activists and public intellectuals seek to bring academics, government and policy experts, journalists, theologians and black religious leaders, artists, grassroots leaders, community members and public intellectuals together to critically engage important issues of our collective past, present and future world. The Africana Cultures and Policy Studies Institute (ACPSI) was formally founded in 2003 to connect the academic study and analysis of culture and policy to the present and future direction of black people worldwide. The group operates with a multi-dimensional structure that spans many disciplines including history, philosophy, literature, education, area studies and law.

"ACPSI serves to create a new paradigm among think tanks and research institutes; one that effectively communicates the vast cultural relevance of Africana peoples while simultaneously developing pertinent mechanisms of global outreach, policy advocacy and development," Dr. Zachery Williams, Executive Director, says.

In terms of organizational emphasis for the Institute, Dr. Robert Smith and Dr. Babacar M'Baye spearhead the effort in developing an edited book, which will articulate the new research/policy paradigm of Africana Cultures and Policy Studies. Dr. Carlos McCray directs the Institute's efforts at linking cultural research with policy advocacy so as to connect theory with praxis. Relatedly, Dr. Seneca Vaught administers the group's website and information technology initiatives.

The Institute's early beginnings are marked by intellectual discussions sparked by the group's founders while they were completing doctoral degrees at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. The earliest discussions revolved around an integration of cultural theory, policy studies, international relations and history. Upon joining the professoriate, the group's founding Senior Fellows sharpened their desire to connect the academy and community in order to deal with the relevant social problems of Africana peoples.

The staff of the Institute include an Executive Director, an Associate Director and Directors of various departments, evidencing its multi-dimensional structure and mission. ACPSI also has a Board of Advisors which advise the Executive Director and Executive Board. Founding Senior Fellows comprise the Executive Board. Currently, Senior Fellows serve, in the capacity, as Department Directors who assist the Executive Director in leading the Institute from locations spanning the East Coast, Midwest and West Coast. Research and Policy Fellows, of varying levels of expertise, carry out the research and advocacy agenda of the Institute.
Founding Senior Fellows and Department Directors:

* Dr. Zachery Williams, Executive Director/Director of Initiatives and Special Projects and Assistant Professor of African American History/Pan African Studies at The University of Akron.
* Dr. Floyd Beachum, Associate Director and Assistant Professor of Urban Education at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.
* Dr. Babacar M'Baye, Assistant Director of Academic Research and Publications and Assistant Professor of Black Atlantic Studies at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington.
* Dr. Robert Smith, Director of Academic Research and Publications and Assistant Professor of African and African American Studies at University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
* Dr. Seneca Vaught, Director of Information Technology and Instructor of History at Bowling Green State University.
* Dr. Carlos McCray, Director of Policy Advocacy and Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Connecticut.
* Dr. Tim Lake, Director of Development and Assistant Professor /Director of Malcolm X Institute at Wabash College.

"ACPSI believes that the connection between culture and policy studies provides a unique opportunity to examine the lives of Africana peoples. The lives of Africana peoples will be affected, one way or the other, by the legal, economic, and civic policies approved and promoted by governments," Dr. Tim Lake, Director of Development, says. "The Institute's mission affirms the right to link matters of policy with issues of culture because culture is the foundation from which policies emerge and through which they have import on our lives," Lake says.

Among the numerous programs of the Institute include an Africana News Network, Capacity Building Initiative, Policy Advocacy Network, and numerous other demonstration projects. Further, the ACPSI working papers and roundtable series and speaker's bureau offer opportunities for individuals to connect with the organization's current work. The working paper series and roundtables strive to address the racism, socioeconomic inequalities, and vast array of classism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia and other prejudices that continue to limit the conditions of black people worldwide. The speaker's bureau provides colleges and universities, churches, community groups, nonprofit organizations, businesses and individuals the opportunity to bring ACSPI Senior Fellows to their city or campus to lecture, conduct workshops or offer consultant services.

Furthermore, ACPSI has developed the following seven (7) satellite centers that conduct cultures/policy research in specific areas of interest to current Senior Fellow research foci:

* Center for Black Public Intellectual Thought and Policy
* Center for African American Religion and Policy
* Center for Civil Rights Policy
* Center for Africana Justice and Liberation Studies
* Center for African American Urban Education and Policy Studies
* Center for Black Atlantic Studies and Policy
* Center for Educational Leadership, Critical Race Studies, and Policy

ACPSI is currently soliciting applications for fellowship from scholars, activists, artists, authors, poets, and people of all professions and from all walks of life who are concerned with improving the quality of life for Africans all over the world.

Learn more about ACPSI by visiting the Institute website. For more information, contact Dr. Zachery Williams at 330-972-2402.

CONTACT:Dr. Zachery Williams, Executive DirectorAfricana Cultures and Policy Studies Institute(ACPSI). 330-972-2402. http://www.theacpsi.org/

To see original press release from Blacknews.com, go to the following link: http://www.blacknews.com/pr/africana101.html