The Charles W. Joyner Institute of Gullah and African Diaspora Studies at Coastal Carolina University invites abstracts, poster sessions, lightning talks, workshops, performances, and panel proposals for its Fourth International Gullah Geechee and African Diaspora Conference (IGGAD). This year’s theme – Speaking with an Unbroken Tongue: Exploring and Celebrating the Language and Culture of Gullah Geechee People and the African Diaspora, focuses on the use of Gullah Geechee oral and cultural language, and how they/we have used them to stay connected to their/our legacy within the African Diaspora; create, protect, and sustain Gullah Geechee communities; and influence American society.

IGGAD encourages submissions that present new works, projects, analyses and critiques of public interpretation and performances as well as research of Creole and first nation languages within the African Diaspora and indigenous people. The Joyner Institute of Gullah and African Diaspora Studies believes there is value in continuing these linguistic journeys as vital tools to preserve cultural identity through stories, shared memories, histories, and wisdoms.  IGGAD encourages research in areas such as Afrofuturism, gender studies, Pan-Africanism, theories of race and politics, as well as other topics that intersect with the heritage and culture of the global African Diaspora. Of special importance is our conference’s emphasis on the community-based participatory model, which recognizes the importance of cultural practitioners and community participation to the success of the conference. To this end, the last day of our conference is a public-facing community day that will be held in the historic City of Conway, South Carolina, near the Myrtle Beach and Georgetown areas. This day will combine workshops, performances, and film screenings with project presentations and short lectures. Submitters should indicate interest in giving a public-facing presentation on their initiative or project when submitting their proposals.

To accommodate our international participants and funding deadlines, IGGAD will have a rolling notification of decisions of acceptance. We will stop accepting applications on November 15 and provide notification no later than November 20. Contact [email protected] for more information.

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