History

In 1969, Vanderbilt introduced the Afro-American Studies Program in partnership with Fisk University, Peabody College, and the Scarritt College for Christian Workers. In 1990, the program changed its name to African American Studies, and in 2005 to African American and Diaspora Studies. In 2011, AADS launched the Callie House Research Center and the Palimpsest academic journal. Finally, in 2018, AADS was granted departmental status and became the Department of African American and Diaspora Studies.

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the Department of African American and Diaspora Studies and Vanderbilt Libraries jointly created a virtual exhibit documenting the full history of AADS at Vanderbilt University.