Department of Africana Studies
![Banner for Oscar Ritchie Story Banner for Oscar Ritchie Story](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Screenshot%202024-02-21%20at%203.05.11%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=bs1HEzkBPdnjv7HGcpNBsOWqSdsKCYCN&itok=NkpWhhx8)
A key figure in °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ's Black History, Oscar Ritchie continues to inspire generations of students and educators.
![Julian Grimes, president of Black United Students, tours the May 4 Visitors Center. Julian Grimes, president of Black United Students, tours the May 4 Visitors Center.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Screenshot%20%281%29.png?VersionId=1zP9Rqe6wxi8FmQXwFn4n.hMMrBxBb0E&itok=YoYHiKGU)
Julian Grimes, president of Black United Students, one of °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ's oldest student organizations, is working to maintain the legacy of the organization credited for starting the formal observance of February as Black History Month.
![A group of students from the University of Fort Hare, in Alice, South Africa, are visiting °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ. A group of students from the University of Fort Hare, in Alice, South Africa, are visiting °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/South%20African%20Students%20visit.jpg?VersionId=_XOHad6sDNTEabYnw8uB.xnA3kQjZAXz&itok=af0gh4dg)
Sounds of joyful singing could be heard coming from Oscar Ritchie Hall, when a group of nine students and their professor from the University of Fort Hare in Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa, were welcomed to °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ as part of an exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in South Africa.
![°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ students attended the MEDCAMP at NEOMed campus in July 2023 °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ students attended the MEDCAMP at NEOMed campus in July 2023](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/2023%20MEDCAMP%20Students%20Pic%201_1500w.jpg?VersionId=8FOSh.654vzSu5PUP6YR_t1h3_R__XJj&itok=1AGgk0Hp)
![°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ students pose with Dr. Felix Kumah-Abiwu (center) at the University of Fort Hare, South Africa °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ students pose with Dr. Felix Kumah-Abiwu (center) at the University of Fort Hare, South Africa](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/Picture%202_2.jpg?VersionId=xj0EpLMLeeGnn3xlaAhIgO.f5Hd_B0zw&h=72f483ee&itok=0k4kDqB3)
![°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ alumnus Preston Mitchum is a member of the cast of Summer House: Martha's Vineyard. °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ alumnus Preston Mitchum is a member of the cast of Summer House: Martha's Vineyard.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/summer%20house.jpg?VersionId=_1ogQUdWf1cnxPBFFTvu8.htMQo34wo6&itok=xBfUeScl)
When he was a student at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ, Preston Mitchum, BA ‘08, was heavily involved in student government and other organizations and recalls taking part in a considerable number of campus protests.
![World map World map](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/World-map-background-972164-cropped.jpg?VersionId=mYXQT5IvBxnHCkHl8IO4BRcVLJjTjmZX&itok=4k7tZWIg)
![Bettina Love at Oscar Ritchie Hall.](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/20221006_BC_220427_AntiRacism_327_0.jpg?VersionId=F.36kWm14ZWgyMBY_M3MXjKFJHXNq1SY&h=10d202d3&itok=PaNd_yt1)
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ faculty and students discussed belonging and other issues at author Bettina Love's book signing on Thursday.
![Felix Kumah-Abiwu photographed by Melissa Olson Felix Kumah-Abiwu photographed by Melissa Olson](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/file/Felix_I42A6271.jpg?VersionId=cat7aau6d8_UpQtfAMdaC_ONV6zraMBw&h=fbf7a813&itok=j07-9Ybm)
The Nkafu Policy Institute recently appointed Ghana native Felix Kumah-Abiwu, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Africana Studies at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ, one of its Non-Resident Fellows in Governance & Democracy.