Dr. Peter Leman is completing his term as faculty coordinator of the Kennedy Center’s Africana Studies program, and we are pleased to announce that the new coordinator will be Dr. Spencer James of BYU’s School of Family Life. Dr. James will begin in that position on 1 July; he and Dr. Leman will overlap for the next two months until Dr. Leman finishes his term at the end of August.
“My journey into Africana Studies began with my mission in Côte d’Ivoire, which sparked a deep interest in African family patterns,” says James. He received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Sociology from BYU before earning a PhD in Sociology and Demography at Penn State University in 2012. He became a faculty member of BYU’s School of Family Life in the same year, where he is a family sociologist and demographer.
His interest in family patterns led him to found the Global Families Research Initiative, which is based in the Kennedy Center. He’s also been an affiliated faculty with the Kennedy Center’s Global Women’s Studies (GWS), International Development, and Canadian Studies programs and led a study abroad for GWS. “Each experience has been incredibly rewarding,” he says, “and I genuinely love the time I spend at the Kennedy Center—it’s a place that brings people, ideas, and global engagement together in such meaningful ways.”
His connection to Africa and Africana Studies has been equally enduring and rewarding, as he has done research related to Africa, served on the Africana Studies Executive Committee, and served as a 2023–24 Fulbright Scholar at the University of Parakou in Benin. “Africana Studies has been a natural fit for my academic and professional work,” he says. “Over the years, I’ve collected data, published research, presented at conferences, and built lasting friendships across sub-Saharan Africa. The continent is incredibly diverse and dynamic, and I’m passionate about sharing that richness with students.”
James says that Africana Studies—an interdisciplinary minor that explores the histories, cultures, and contemporary issues of Africa and its global diaspora—is a great fit for students because it helps them “gain a deeper, more global perspective that connects meaningfully with any major. It also stands out on a resume, making it one of the most marketable ways students can set themselves apart both academically and professionally.”
For him, the program is important because “understanding Africa and her global diaspora is essential to understanding the world we’re entering. Africa is not peripheral—it is central to the global future. By the end of this century, nearly half of all children on Earth will be African, and in the coming decades, five of the nine countries driving half of all global population growth will be in sub-Saharan Africa. This demographic shift will bring political, economic, and cultural implications that no serious institution—whether the United Nations, World Bank, or global corporations—can afford to ignore. Countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo will increasingly shape global conversations.”
As he begins his term as faculty coordinator of the Africana Studies program, he says he looks forward to working with faculty and students from across BYU. “I’m both nervous and intimidated by all of these new possibilities,” he says, “but also very much looking forward to getting to know so many new people.” He’s also looking forward to providing more international opportunities for students interested in Africa: “Whether you’re a student or know someone who is, we invite you to be part of our first-ever Africana Studies study abroad program in summer 2026, exploring the rich histories and cultures of Southern Africa—including South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, and Lesotho.”
Finally, for students in the Africana Studies program, James looks forward to helping them understand the vital importance of Africa and its global diaspora. “For too long,” he says, “Africa and its diaspora have been misrepresented or overlooked. Studying Africana topics helps students better understand parts of history and culture that are often left out, question the usual ways stories are told, and recognize the deep and lasting impact African peoples have made—intellectually, artistically, spiritually, and socially—throughout the world and across time. It prepares us to be informed global citizens—more culturally literate, ethically aware, and better equipped to lead in a connected world.”
Learn more about the Africana Studies program here.