Online Lecture: African Echoes — Hidden Legacies in American Life

From music to medicine, African cultures have shaped life in the United States in powerful and often unrecognized ways. Join Tunde Adegbola, Research Scientist and Executive Director of the African Languages Technology Initiative, for a fascinating exploration of how Indigenous Knowledge Systems and African traditions were carried forward by African Americans. Learn how understandings of Sònpòn-ná (the Yoruba deity associated with smallpox and contagion) influenced public health responses in colonial Boston, how Talking Drums functioned as early telecommunications and how African musical principles echo in jazz and beyond. Tunde brings deep insight to these cultural threads, revealing enduring legacies woven into American life.

Your online lecture will take place live over the course of 1-2 hours. All times are listed in the EASTERN time zone. If you live in a different time zone, please adjust your schedule accordingly. This live online experience uses Zoom Webinar, an easy-to-use web video service that includes closed captioning. All you need is an Internet connection and your computer. You will receive a confirmation email when you enroll, and a reminder email one week and one day before, as well as the morning of the event with a link and instructions on how to tune in. You will not be pictured on screen during the lecture, but you will have the opportunity to ask the instructor live questions using the Q&A box. Unless otherwise noted, all those who enroll in this program receive access to the live event as well as a recording of the lecture that you can watch any time within the two weeks following the live event.