WHO WE ARE
African & African Diaspora Studies at The University of Texas at Austin is a pioneering initiative, distinct among Black Studies programs nationwide. It draws its strength from four dynamic entities: the world-class scholarship and teaching of the African and African Diaspora Studies (AADS) department, the innovative programming of the John L. Warfield Center for African and African American Studies (The Warfield Center), the data-oriented and student-led work of the AADS Research Institute, and the groundbreaking exhibitions and collections of the Art Galleries at Black Studies (AGBS).
As a premier destination for research and education, AADS serves students, faculty, visiting scholars, and the broader community, advancing impactful scholarship, innovative pedagogy, timely policy research, and vibrant arts and cultural programming.
The African and African Diaspora Studies department offers degree programs for undergraduate majors and minors, as well as doctoral students. It also provides individual courses that enrich the UT educational experience. AADS faculty are widely recognized for their teaching excellence and research achievements, bringing unparalleled passion and the latest pedagogical approaches into the classroom. The AADS major is an ideal complement to other fields of study, including engineering, sociology, informatics, and business.
Through original programming and research, we host distinguished visitors, offering UT students unique opportunities to engage with performers, practitioners, and thought leaders from different disciplines.
WHAT WE'RE FUNDRAISING FOR
Faculty and staff members of African & African Diaspora Studies believe that education goes beyond textbooks and lectures. Our students are engaging in dynamic, real-world problem-solving through experiential learning—an approach that connects classroom theory with real-life application. From the sciences to the humanities, from professional fields to the arts, our students are learning through doing—whether in labs, museums, studios, or fieldwork settings.
Experiential learning empowers students to take initiative, reflect critically, and develop the kind of transferable, marketable skills that set them apart in today’s competitive world. These transformative experiences build motivation, deepen understanding, and better prepare students for internships, careers, and lifelong learning.
But these experiences don’t happen by accident. They require careful planning, strong mentorship, and access to resources. That’s where you come in.
Your support helps us provide more opportunities for students to engage intellectually, creatively, emotionally, and socially.
With your gift, we can expand access to internships, research initiatives, service-learning, and immersive projects that shape tomorrow’s leaders.
Together, let’s open more doors for UT students to explore, experiment, and excel.
WHAT STARTS HERE CHANGES THE WORLD!
Gifts to College of Liberal Arts - African & African Diaspora Studies contribute to...
Advocates 📣
Community Advocates
Generated 3281 clicks and 310 gifts, totaling $35,401Soh Nishiyama
Generated 302 clicks and 116 gifts, totaling $19,672Luke Mastrian
Generated 339 clicks and 233 gifts, totaling $18,348David Griffin
Generated 170 clicks and 61 gifts, totaling $11,515Randall Ford
Generated 113 clicks and 16 gifts, totaling $5,825Anna Boxall
Generated 294 clicks and 21 gifts, totaling $3,765Mark Carella
Generated 130 clicks and 18 gifts, totaling $3,717Victoria Mena
Generated 97 clicks and 7 gifts, totaling $3,560Sam Zarou
Generated 71 clicks and 21 gifts, totaling $3,260Katelyn Rood
Generated 174 clicks and 16 gifts, totaling $3,233Leaderboards & Donors 🎁
View All Donors
Advocates, you have until 10:00 p.m. CST to solidify your rankings. Good luck!
Gift Count Leaders
1. Luke Mastrian – 232
2. Soh Nishiyama – 116
3. David Griffin – 59
4. Jacob – 38
5. Rizky Pratama – 29
Dollars Raised Leaders
1. Soh Nishiyama – $19,672
2. Luke Mastrian – $18,338
3. David Griffin – $11,414.60
4. Randall Ford – $5,675
5. Mark Carella – $3,717
Winners will be announced on May 1.
35 days ago by Pablo MoraLonghorns, this is the final sprint of 40 Hours for the Forty Acres!
Make your final gift now and help push us across the finish line at 10:00 p.m. CST.
Competing on a leaderboard? Every gift and share can still change the standings and this is your last chance to claim advocate incentives.
35 days ago by Pablo MoraFinal hour, Advocates! Nothing is locked in! Every share and every gift can still change the leaderboard. The top five advocates in each challenge earn extra match dollars for the designation of their choice.
Gift Count Leaders
1. Luke Mastrian – 231
2. Soh Nishiyama – 116
3. David Griffin – 59
4. Jacob – 38
5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon – 25
Dollars Raised Leaders
1. Soh Nishiyama – $19,672
2. Luke Mastrian – $18,288
3. David Griffin – $11,414.60
4. Randall Ford – $5,675
5. Mark Carella – $3,717
One final update will be placed on the 40 for Forty site at 9:30 p.m. CST.
35 days ago by Pablo MoraHere’s where things stand right now in our Advocate Challenges. Every share and every gift counts, nothing is locked in yet. Remember that the top five advocates for each challenge get additional match dollars for a designation of their choice.
Current Leaders
Advocate Challenge: Gift Count Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest number of gifts so far:
1. Luke Mastrian - 189 gifts
2. Soh Nishiyama - 76 gifts
3. David Griffin - 48 gifts
4. Jacob - 27 gifts
5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon - 23 gifts
Advocate Challenge: Dollars Raised Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest cumulative dollars so far:
1. Soh Nishiyama - $13,950
2. Luke Mastrian - $13,428
3. David Griffin - $9,695
4. Randall Ford - $5,475
5. Mark Carella - $3,567
Huge thanks to our advocates who are pushing hard and setting the pace. Leaders, defend your spot as we make our way to the 10:00 p.m. CST finish line!
35 days ago by Pablo MoraWe’re excited to share a snapshot of the current standings in our two Advocate Challenges during 40 Hours for the Forty Acres. These rankings reflect where things stand right now and there’s still plenty of time to keep moving up! Remember that the top five advocates in each challenge get additional match dollars for a designation of their choice.
Advocate Challenge: Gift Count Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest number of gifts so far:
1. Luke Mastrian - 156 gifts
2. Soh Nishiyama - 35 gifts
3. David Griffin - 26 gifts
4. Jacob - 18 gifts
5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon - 15 gifts
Advocate Challenge: Dollars Raised Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest cumulative dollars so far:
1. Luke Mastrian - $8,943
2. Soh Nishiyama - $5,960
3. David Griffin - $4,945
4. Randall Ford - $4,375
5. Emily Quigley - $2,376
A huge thank you to everyone who has already stepped up as an advocate. Your outreach, enthusiasm, and commitment are powering 40 Hours for the Forty Acres.
Keep sharing your links, keep spreading the word, and keep up the great work, we can’t wait to see how these leader boards shift as we approach the finish on April 30 at 10 p.m. CST!
36 days ago by Pablo Mora