Exploring African American Histories,
Inspiring Change
Together
Nyla Holland
’21
African American Studies
,
Political Science
’22g
Public Policy
Policy Analyst, Research to Action Lab, Urban Institute
Nyla is passionate about education and environmental policy, particularly in areas of school climate and environmental justice. Before joining Urban Institute, Nyla interned at Children and Screens, where she advocated for federal legislation addressing the impact of technology on adolescents. Concurrently, she helped create an environmental justice mapping tool of Pennsylvania as a part of her internship at the Penn State Sustainability Institute.
more
Brett King
’81
Speech Communications major
,
African American Studies minor
Producer, Creative Consultant, and DEI Executive
Skilled in TV and film production, Brett’s experiences include roles at Sony Pictures Entertainment, Paramount Television Studios, 20th Century Fox, BET, The WB, SNL, and more. Brett most recently led Sony’s creative efforts in diversity and inclusion for nearly a decade before parting ways to create his own consulting agency, Non LP B-Side, in Los Angeles, California.
more
Brian Davis
’18
African American Studies
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, The Harker School
Brian is passionate about creating a world of critical thinkers and racial justice advocates. Brian says his liberal arts education greatly influenced his social justice work, and he credits the Department of African American Studies for equipping him with skills that allowed him to grow and succeed.
“The department curriculum and professors gave me a space to find my voice and how I related to the world, and the critical lens to examine the issues affecting society. The program was so holistic and built a strong student community. The classroom conversations were so transformative—I used to hate when class was over.”
more
Adriana Lacy
’18
African American Studies
,
Journalism
Journalist, Entrepreneur, and Educator
Adriana is an award-winning journalist and consultant who was a 2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. She is the founder and president of Adriana Lacy Consulting, a full-service digital consulting firm helping publishers and businesses grow their digital audiences, and the founder of Journalism Mentors, a website dedicated to advancing early-career journalists through mentoring and paid media opportunities. In addition, she is an adjunct lecturer at Brandeis University in Boston, Massachusetts.
more
Awaly Diallo
’20
African American Studies
,
Sociology
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, Crowell & Moring
At Penn State, Awaly was a student leader and activist interested in social justice and working in civil rights law.
“Immerse yourself in everything the College of the Liberal Arts has to offer because there are so many opportunities to explore your purpose and create your own journey,” said the Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar alumna. “It is okay to need help or guidance, and there are a multitude of resources that can lead you in the right path.”
more
Nyla Holland
’21
African American Studies
,
Political Science
’22g
Public Policy
Policy Analyst, Research to Action Lab, Urban Institute
Nyla is passionate about education and environmental policy, particularly in areas of school climate and environmental justice. Before joining Urban Institute, Nyla interned at Children and Screens, where she advocated for federal legislation addressing the impact of technology on adolescents. Concurrently, she helped create an environmental justice mapping tool of Pennsylvania as a part of her internship at the Penn State Sustainability Institute.
more
Brett King
’81
Speech Communications major
,
African American Studies minor
Producer, Creative Consultant, and DEI Executive
Skilled in TV and film production, Brett’s experiences include roles at Sony Pictures Entertainment, Paramount Television Studios, 20th Century Fox, BET, The WB, SNL, and more. Brett most recently led Sony’s creative efforts in diversity and inclusion for nearly a decade before parting ways to create his own consulting agency, Non LP B-Side, in Los Angeles, California.
more
Brian Davis
’18
African American Studies
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, The Harker School
Brian is passionate about creating a world of critical thinkers and racial justice advocates. Brian says his liberal arts education greatly influenced his social justice work, and he credits the Department of African American Studies for equipping him with skills that allowed him to grow and succeed.
“The department curriculum and professors gave me a space to find my voice and how I related to the world, and the critical lens to examine the issues affecting society. The program was so holistic and built a strong student community. The classroom conversations were so transformative—I used to hate when class was over.”
more
Adriana Lacy
’18
African American Studies
,
Journalism
Journalist, Entrepreneur, and Educator
Adriana is an award-winning journalist and consultant who was a 2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. She is the founder and president of Adriana Lacy Consulting, a full-service digital consulting firm helping publishers and businesses grow their digital audiences, and the founder of Journalism Mentors, a website dedicated to advancing early-career journalists through mentoring and paid media opportunities. In addition, she is an adjunct lecturer at Brandeis University in Boston, Massachusetts.
more
Awaly Diallo
’20
African American Studies
,
Sociology
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator, Crowell & Moring
At Penn State, Awaly was a student leader and activist interested in social justice and working in civil rights law.
“Immerse yourself in everything the College of the Liberal Arts has to offer because there are so many opportunities to explore your purpose and create your own journey,” said the Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar alumna. “It is okay to need help or guidance, and there are a multitude of resources that can lead you in the right path.”
more
Nyla Holland
’21
African American Studies
,
Political Science
’22g
Public Policy
Policy Analyst, Research to Action Lab, Urban Institute
Nyla is passionate about education and environmental policy, particularly in areas of school climate and environmental justice. Before joining Urban Institute, Nyla interned at Children and Screens, where she advocated for federal legislation addressing the impact of technology on adolescents. Concurrently, she helped create an environmental justice mapping tool of Pennsylvania as a part of her internship at the Penn State Sustainability Institute.
more
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We explore African-descended history, emphasizing racial inequality, social movements, and impactful ideas. Graduates can pursue careers in education, social work, advocacy, cultural consulting, and community development with a degree in African American Studies. Our program connects students, faculty, staff, and the wider African American community within Penn State’s resources.
Our Mission and Vision
The Department of African American Studies is a meeting ground for scholars, students, and thinkers committed to the study of African American and African-descended peoples in the Americas. With faculty trained in anthropology, English, history, philosophy, and other disciplines, our collective work fosters critical understanding of the diaspora’s many cultures and expressions. As we foster meaningful engagement with the economic, social, and political conditions of Black life on campus and beyond, we seek to build a vibrant community of inquiry and innovation at Penn State.