Columbia University: SOCIAL JUSTICE MINI GRANT
FEBRUARY-APRIL 2023
https://universitylife.columbia.edu/content/social-justice-mini-grant-recipients-2022-2023
Exciting life update! I am in the middle of the spring semester for the first year of my PhD program at Columbia University. It has been an incredible AND challenging journey so far. So, in an effort to remain more engaged in University life and in order to nurture a community outside of the classroom, I applied for a grant on behalf of MCN. Now, I am overjoyed to share that this work will continue in a more artistic & free-er space.
I applied to this grant under the terms of "My Colorful Nana existing as a podcast that explores the complexity of identity construction and Black hair. We celebrate the words “Beauty” and “Blackness” as we study the ways in which art and community can provide emotional relief.” I plan to interview current graduate students throughout Columbia who can speak to the complexity of identity through the lens of Black hair. My hope is that conversing about their graduate work rooted in International Relations, Playwrighting or African Linguistics can continue to expand the mission of MCN.
Overall, I’m interested in steering our creative research towards uncovering a clearer intersection between the Arts, Education & Development in a way that feels global, flexible, communal & accessible. I believe that it is possible and thank you Columbia University for the opportunity to expand this work 🙏🏾🤓.
Stay tuned for the release of 3-4 NEW episodes of MCN: Growth & Development at Columbia University. (And pray for me that I can successfully juggle classes & audio editing 😛). OKAY so if you’re interested, please click the link (or read) below about this iteration of our project AND so many other fantastic scholars who are doing innovative work in the field of advocacy and Africana Studies!!
Thank you again for everyone's endless care & support,
Lauren
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MCN Growth & Development
Project Details: My Colorful Nana is a podcast that explores the complexity of identity construction and Black hair. This podcast will include interviews with current graduate students throughout Columbia who can speak to the complexity of identity through the lens of Black hair.
MCN GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
Fareed Abdullah (U.S. Diplomat)
Fareed Abdullah (U.S. Diplomat)
Fareed Abdullah (U.S. Diplomat)
Fareed Abdullah (he/him) is a current U.S. Diplomat and Columbia University graduate student in the School of International and Public Affairs. Together, we chatted about the “art of being a diplomat.”
Fareed Abdullah (he/him) is a U.S. diplomat taking a sabbatical from diplomacy to think, write, and perfect the theory behind the art of be
Fareed Abdullah (he/him) is a current U.S. Diplomat and Columbia University graduate student in the School of International and Public Affairs. Together, we chatted about the “art of being a diplomat.”
Fareed Abdullah (he/him) is a U.S. diplomat taking a sabbatical from diplomacy to think, write, and perfect the theory behind the art of being a diplomat. He comes to the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia with more than 14 years of experience at the U.S. Department of State. Fareed has worked and lived in several countries around the world like Senegal, China, and the United Arab Emirates, speaks several languages, and enjoys the process of learning new ways of addressing persistent challenges.
Kay Kemp (PhD Candidate)
Fareed Abdullah (U.S. Diplomat)
Fareed Abdullah (U.S. Diplomat)
Kay Kemp (they/them) is a PhD student in the English Department, Theater Colloquium. Their research focuses on postcolonial playwriting, particularly research which encounters the postcolonial play in diaspora, such as the writings of Africa and the Caribbean. Their research is colored both by their investment in the theoretical aspects o
Kay Kemp (they/them) is a PhD student in the English Department, Theater Colloquium. Their research focuses on postcolonial playwriting, particularly research which encounters the postcolonial play in diaspora, such as the writings of Africa and the Caribbean. Their research is colored both by their investment in the theoretical aspects of theater and their prior experience with postcoloniality in literature and political science courses, and by their practical experience in the field; Kay is a produced playwright, having written and staged work which has appeared in multiple festivals, including Off-Broadway. They are excited to be continuing their education at Columbia University, where they completed their undergraduate degree.