The AfroDiaspora Colloquium: Ime Ekpo (GS '26), Asake, and Locating Africa at Columbia
In November, Ime Ekpo (GS '26) brought Afrobeats superstar Asake to the Institute of African Studies (IAS) to kick off the AfroDiaspora Colloquium. Read coverage of the event and Ekpo's reflection's on Africa's place at Columbia.
In November, Ime Ekpo (GS '26) launched The AfroDiaspora Colloquium with an interview featuring Afrobeats artist Asake. The event served as a high-profile kickoff for the student-led colloquium and highlighted the growing interest in Africa-focused programming across Columbia's campus.
The collaboration emerged from a broader effort to coordinate student groups from SIPA, GS, CC, and other schools. By utilizing the IAS as a gathering point, students are increasingly building collaborative initiatives, such as the upcoming "Africa Fest" and previous conferences like Lumumba at 100.
The Asake interview and subsequent media coverage have brought renewed focus to the importance of African Studies at the university. Read about the event and ongoing discussions about Africa at Columbia below:
- Columbia News: Afrobeats Star Asake Debuts AfroDiaspora Colloquium at Columbia
- Forbes: This Is Why I Brought Afrobeats Superstar Asake To Columbia University (by Ime Ekpo)
- Columbia Spectator: The African Studies deficit no one talks about at Columbia (Opinion by Ime Ekpo)