Filmmaker Kobina Aidoo will screen and discuss his documentary, "The Neo-African Americans," at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, at the University's Fields Center located at 58 Prospect Ave. The event is free and open to the public.
The one-hour documentary addresses how rapid, voluntary immigration from Africa and the Caribbean to the United States is transforming the “African American” narrative. From Somalis in Minnesota, to Trinidadians in New York, to Afro-Cubans in Miami, to Nigerians in Maryland, the term “African-American” means something unique to everyone. But the film asks if these individuals are considered African-Americans.
The film includes interviews with social scientists, activists, and African, Caribbean and Afro-Latino immigrants now living in cities across the United States. "The Neo-African Americans" analyzes the major issues arising from black immigration-- self-identification, income, black-on-black tensions, education, affirmative action and more.
Aidoo, originally from Ghana, currently works at the World Bank as a public affairs consultant in Washington, DC. He initially came to the United States to study broadcast communications at Barry University in Miami and later continued with MBA studies. He has also provided economic consulting work for the Ministry of Economy of the United Arab Emirates. He holds a Master of Public Policy degree with a specialty in International Trade and Finance from Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where he also served as co-chief editor of the "Africa Policy Journal."
The event is sponsored by the University's Fields Center, Black History Month Committee, Akwaaba, the Black Student Union and the Princeton Caribbean Connection. The program is part of a series of events being offered during Black History Month at the university.
Members of the media interested in attending the lecture should e-mail Makeba Clay, Director of the Fields Center, at mclay@princeton.edu no later than 5 p.m. Feb. 1.
