The University of Houston's African American Studies Department has transformed the educational landscape for Houston-area high school students through its Emerge Leadership Academy (ELA), now bolstered by a $10,000 Modern Language Association Pathways Step Grant supported by the Mellon Foundation.
Held last summer, the second-annual summer enrichment program brought together 14 Houston high school students interested in African American studies under the theme "Afrofuturism."
"As a scholar of literature, I see the role that the humanities play in African American Studies," said Dr. Tara Green, department chair and principal investigator for the grant. "Science and technology are only present when history, culture, spirituality and the arts are present."
Participants explored how they could envision Houston communities thriving in a future that embodies racial equity and belonging, examining African American histories of Greater Houston through an Afrofuturistic lens.
The program offers students the opportunity to earn Advanced Placement African History University Credit while gaining exposure to the University of Houston, particularly the African American Studies department. Students engaged in cultural research aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of African American studies and contributing to academic knowledge.
The curriculum included courses in African American Studies, mathematics, writing, research methods, fine arts, engineering, architecture, health and law. The academy culminated in a formal reception where students presented their research, received awards and networked with university officials, industry experts and community leaders.
The MLA Pathways grant, specifically designed for programs emphasizing humanities and students in need, provided crucial financial support for program elements not covered by state funding.
"Made possible by a generous grant from the Mellon Foundation, the MLA Pathways initiative equips departments and programs associated with the study of literature, language, writing, culture, area studies and related disciplines with the tools, networks, knowledge and resources to help undergraduate students find success throughout their education and after graduation," according to the MLA website.
Green presented the program's achievements alongside other grant recipients at the Modern Language Association Conference in New Orleans in January, where she noted that UH's African American Studies was the only Black Studies program represented. Green received a certificate from the MLA's executive director recognizing her contributions.
The Pathways Program's core mission aligns perfectly with the EMERGE Leadership Academy’s goals: creating support structures for underrepresented students in the humanities, particularly first-generation college students and Pell Grant recipients, to foster more equitable participation in humanities study and subsequent career opportunities.
With secure funding and a proven track record of success, the EMERGE Leadership Academy continues to create educational pathways for Houston's next generation of scholars and leaders in African American Studies.