While narratives of the Great Migration of Black southerners to the industrial cities of the North and tales of francophone Black Canadians migrating to the Great Lakes are vitally important to Black midwestern history, there are other Black midwestern migratory patterns that also deserve greater attention. For example, Columbus, Ohio and the Twin Cities of Minnesota are home to the largest Somali diaspora populations within the United States, and substantial Caribbean communities are thriving within cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Pittsburgh. This panel explores the Midwest as a site of global connection for African diasporic people with attention to issues of immigration, political struggle, and cultural, religious, and language diversity.

Confirmed Panelists:

Courtney Joseph

Erik S. McDuffie

LuFuki Ismaeel

Sara Osman

Su'ad Abdul Khabeer

Moderator:

Tamira Amin