Faculty Directory

Our faculty consist of internationally-renowned scholars who have been awarded prestigious awards for writing, advocacy work and interdisciplinary teaching.

Department of Africana and American Studies Faculty

Also View Department of Indigenous Studies Faculty

Sharon Morgan Beckford, PhD
1005 Clemens Hall
Phone: 716-645-2082
sbeckfor@buffalo.edu
Director of Graduate Studies
Associate Professor
Department of Africana and American Studies
College of Arts and Sciences
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1005 Clemens Hall
Phone: 716-645-2082
sbeckfor@buffalo.edu
Craig Centrie, PhD
1006 Clemens Hall
Phone: (716) 645-2002
centrie@buffalo.edu
Adjunct Professor
Department of Africana and American Studies
College of Arts and Sciences
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1006 Clemens Hall
Phone: (716) 645-2002
centrie@buffalo.edu
Cecil Foster, PhD
1007 Clemens Hall
Phone: (716) 645-0786
cecilfos@buffalo.edu
Professor
Department of Africana and American Studies
College of Arts and Sciences
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1007 Clemens Hall
Phone: (716) 645-0786
cecilfos@buffalo.edu
Keith Griffler, PhD
1013 Clemens Hall
Phone: (716) 645-0802
griffler@buffalo.edu
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Associate Professor
Department of Africana and American Studies
College of Arts and Sciences
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1013 Clemens Hall
Phone: (716) 645-0802
griffler@buffalo.edu
Y.G. Lulat, PhD
1003 Clemens Hall
Phone: (716) 645-0801
lulat@buffalo.edu
Associate Professor
Department of Africana and American Studies
College of Arts and Sciences
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1003 Clemens Hall
Phone: (716) 645-0801
lulat@buffalo.edu
Mopelolade Ogunbowale, PhD
1009 Clemens Hall
Phone: 716-645-2082
mopelola@buffalo.edu
Assistant Professor
Department of Africana and American Studies
College of Arts and Sciences
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1009 Clemens Hall
Phone: 716-645-2082
mopelola@buffalo.edu
Rinaldo Walcott, PhD
1010C Clemens Hall
Phone: 716-645-0805
rinaldow@buffalo.edu
Department Chair
Professor
Department of Africana and American Studies
College of Arts and Sciences
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1010C Clemens Hall
Phone: 716-645-0805
rinaldow@buffalo.edu
Lillian S. Williams, PhD
1031 Clemens Hall
Phone: (716) 645-2082
lsw4@buffalo.edu
Associate Professor
Department of Africana and American Studies
College of Arts and Sciences
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1031 Clemens Hall
Phone: (716) 645-2082
lsw4@buffalo.edu
Nestor Zarragoitia, MFA
1006 Clemens Hall
Phone: (716) 645-0791
nez@buffalo.edu
Adjunct Professor
Department of Africana and American Studies
College of Arts and Sciences
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1006 Clemens Hall
Phone: (716) 645-0791
nez@buffalo.edu

Also View Department of Indigenous Studies Faculty

In Memoriam

James Edward Ponzo II

James Edward Ponzo II, assistant professor in the Department of Africana and American Studies died April 4, 2024. He was 46. Ponzo’s dedication to social justice defined his character and led him to a career in higher education.