The African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC), in collaboration with the Friends of AARLCC, has announced the return of its annual lecture series dedicated to celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Niara Sudarkasa (1938–2019), the renowned cultural anthropologist, Africanist, and university president who hailed from Fort Lauderdale.
The second annual Dr. Niara Sudarkasa Memorial Lecture will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at AARLCC. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Sponsors include the Friends of AARLCC, the Broward County Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the North Broward County Alumnae Chapter, and the South Broward Alumnae Chapter.
Born Gloria Albertha Marshall, Dr. Sudarkasa was a Fort Lauderdale prodigy who graduated from Dillard High School at 14 and entered Fisk University at 15 before earning her bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College. She went on to break multiple barriers in academia, becoming the first African American woman to teach at Columbia University, the first appointed assistant professor of anthropology at New York University, and the first Black faculty member in the University of Michigan’s Department of Anthropology. Her trailblazing career culminated with her appointment as the first African American woman president of Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.
A prolific author, Dr. Sudarkasa penned influential works including Where Women Work and The Strength of Our Mothers. She also shared a lasting connection with AARLCC, serving as the center’s Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence in 2002 and donating her archives in 2006, which now form the second-largest manuscript collection at the facility.
Delivering this year’s keynote address will be Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, J.D., Ed.D., President and CEO of Benedict College and the institution’s first female leader.
“Dr. Sudarkasa’s life and work showcase the powerful impact of scholarship, leadership, and service. Her groundbreaking accomplishments continue to motivate generations of scholars and leaders. It is a privilege to help honor her legacy,” said Dr. Artis.
Dr. Tameka Hobbs, historian and AARLCC library manager, emphasized the importance of the event, noting, “The creation of this annual lecture ensures that Dr. Sudarkasa’s vision, scholarship, and dedication to knowledge will continue to inspire and educate future generations.”
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