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Afro-Romance Institute

Afro-Romance Institute

ARI
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Welcome

As the first and one of the only institutes of its kind in the United States, we are dedicated to:  

  • Rigorously exploring, preserving and disseminating the rich cultural, historical, and literary traditions of Afro-Diasporic communities.
  • Bringing focused attention to the intersections of history, culture, language, and identity
  • Amplifying the voices and stories of Afro-Diasporic peoples and their profound contributions to the global human experience
  • Fostering scholarly excellence, interdisciplinary dialogue, and innovative research that highlight the significance of Afro-Romance cultures.
  • Serving the academic community and wider world as a beacon of knowledge, inspiration, and connection. 

We take pride in fostering intellectual exchange and collaborative projects that transcend disciplines and borders, creating a space where diverse perspectives converge to honor the legacy and ongoing contributions of Afro-Diasporic communities. 

Four people stand together smiling, wearing colorful traditional and formal attire.

Afro-Romance Institute Conference

Date: April 17–18, 2026

Borders, Belonging, and the African Diaspora, organized by the Afro-Romance Institute, is an interdisciplinary conference that examines the complex relationships between borders, identity, migration, and belonging across African and Afro-Romance diasporic communities. Bringing together scholars, artists, and activists, the conference explores Afro-diasporic identities and migration, race and citizenship, memory and trauma, and the role of archives in shaping collective histories. Through engagements with Afro-feminist and decolonial thought, as well as language, hybridity, and performance, the event fosters critical dialogue on how diasporic communities navigate, challenge, and reimagine boundaries in contemporary and historical contexts.

Learn More

Upcoming ARI Events

 
Mamadou Badiane

Contact Afro-Romance Institute

143 Arts & Science Bldg | Columbia, MO 65211

Director: Mamadou Badiane 

Phone: 573-882-6725 | Fax: 573-884-8171

Email: badianem@missouri.edu