Mission and Goal

The central mission of the Institute is to advance scholarly investigation of the history, social experiences, culture, and thought of people of African descent throughout the Diaspora, with a particular emphasis on Black Americans. The goal is to be the premier research center of its kind in the nation.

The mission and goal will be realized through:

-Developing research proposals and the completing projects that advance inquiry in all dimensions of the field of African American Studies.

-Integrating the scholarly contributions of both faculty and graduate students across a wide array of disciplines into IAAR programming.

-Assisting in the development of junior scholars who will enter the field by maintaining various outlets for their work and by amassing of information relevant to their further development.

-Designing and executing topical, multidisciplinary symposia and conferences.

-Utilizing technology to assist in the dissemination of research, and the creation of publications, which document the work of UNC-CH researchers.