The new director of MTSU’s Africana Studies Program was the guest on a recent “MTSU On the Record” radio program. 

Dr. Adonijah Bakari

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Adonijah Bakari, a professor in the Department of History, first aired Sept. 29 on WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 and www.wmot.org.

You can listen to their conversation via the Soundcloud link above.

Bakari, 2009 winner of the university’s John Pleas Faculty Award and a 26-year faculty member at MTSU, has taken over the university’s Africana Studies Program from associate professor of history Louis Woods, who is devoting more time to teaching.

Bakaeri said the demonstrations against systemic racism following the deaths of George Floyd and others make this a pivotal time for teaching Africana studies.

Bakari also cited the nomination of U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris as former Vice President Joe Biden’s running mate as a point of discussion. 

“It really says that women’s voices are important, African Americans’ voices are important, immigrant voices are important,” Bakari said.

The Africana Studies major is the first in the region and the only one in Tennessee with the option of either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree.

It focuses on the history and culture of people of African descent throughout the diaspora, race relations and socioeconomic political institutions.

To hear previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, visit the searchable “Audio Clips” archives at www.mtsunews.com.

For more information about the radio program, contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.