First-Year Writing Student Research Symposium
Letter from the Program Coordinator
Dear Attendees:
Welcome to the inaugural First-Year Writing Fall Student Symposium on Octavia Butler’s Kindred. This event marks an exciting moment within the First-Year Writing Program as we celebrate the intellectual engagement, critical thinking, and analytical writing of our students.
The symposium aligns with our broader mission to inspire students to think deeply, write passionately, and engage meaningfully with the academic community at Howard University and beyond. Through the lens of Kindred a text rich with themes of race, identity, and historical trauma our students have explored complex issues, delved into meaningful discussions, and honed their research and writing skills.
This symposium serves several key purposes:
1. Deepening Engagement with Core Texts:
Students have the opportunity to engage deeply with Kindred, exploring its themes, historical context, and literary significance. This engagement enhances their understanding of the text and its relevance to contemporary discussions on race and identity.
2. Developing Critical Thinking and Writing Skills:
The process of preparing for and participating in the symposium has required students to formulate arguments, conduct research, and present their findings essential skills for academic and professional success.
3. Encouraging Intellectual Collaboration:
Collaboration is a cornerstone of academic growth. Through panels and discussions, students have learned from one another’s perspectives, enriching their own understanding and analysis of the text.
4. Connecting Literature to Broader Social Issues:
Kindred resonates with students’ lived experiences and contemporary society. This symposium provides a platform for students to connect literature to broader discussions on race, social justice, and the African American experience, reflecting Howard University’s mission to cultivate leaders committed to improving society.
5. Showcasing Student Scholarship:
The symposium serves as a platform for students to share their research in a formal academic setting. This experience not only builds their confidence but also prepares them for future academic endeavors, such as conferences and publications.
By integrating the study of Kindred into our First-Year Writing Program and culminating in this symposium, we aim to inspire our students to excel as scholars and contributors to meaningful dialogue. This event also serves as a warm-up for our larger conference in the spring, setting the stage for continued intellectual engagement and growth.
Thank you for joining us in celebrating the exceptional work of our students. Your presence affirms the importance of their voices and their contributions to the academic community.
Warm Regards,
Monique L. Akassi
Dr. Monique L. Akassi Director for First Year Writing Program
Letter from the Department Chair of English
First-Year Writing Student Research Symposium
Theme: Exploring Race, Identity, and Historical Trauma through Octavia Butler’s Kindred
Thursday, November 21, 2024
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Virtual Via Zoom
Meeting ID: 885 7404 1456 | Passcode: 90843049
Program Itinerary
12:00 PM – 12:15 PM | Virtual Check-In and Welcome
• Attendees log in via Zoom
• Welcome slide with program overview and technical guidelines for participation (e.g., mute during presentations, use chat/Q&A).
• Opening remarks by Dr. Monique L. Akassi, Director, First-Year Writing Program
12:15 PM – 12:30 PM | Welcome Address
• Delivered by Dr. Carol Boyce-Davies, Department Chair of English, Howard University.
• Professor Rebecca Boylan, Master English Instructor
• Professor Thomas Rocha Ohno-Machado, English Lecturer
1:30 2:30 PM | Keynote Address
• Keynote Speaker: Dr. Jacquetta Ayewoh
• Topic: “Bridging Literature and Society: Lessons from Octavia Butler’s Kindred”.
• Introduction by: Dr. Monique L. Akassi
• Q&A: Attendees may submit questions in the chat during the address.
1:00 PM – 3:45 PM | Presentations
• Q&A Session (10 Minutes): Attendees can submit questions via chat or raise their hands virtually.
3:45 PM – 4:00 PM | Closing Remarks and Awards
• Closing remarks
• Virtual certificates presented to student participants (PDFs emailed after the event).
• Gratitude extended to keynote speaker, moderators, and attendee
Presentations
12:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m.
BALLROOM A
Looking Back As We Move Forward in Octavia Butler’s Kindred Chair: Jalen Smith
“Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome and Its Effects in Octavia Butler ’s Kindred,” Sydney Smith, Howard University
“”Investigating the Why Not’s of Octavia Butler,” Taylor Williams, Howard University
“Sunday Speculation in Octavia Butler’s Kindred,” Mariah Sims, Howard University
“Honor the Past, Move Toward the Future in Kindred,” Jalen Smith, Howard University
BALLROOM B
Black Women and Resistance in Octavia Butler’s Kindred Chair: Kamari Jordan
“Why Not Expose the Shared Realities of Ancestors and Future Kin?” Kamari Jordan, Howard University.
“Why Not Reclaim Power by Resisting?” Komorah Person, Howard University
“Why Not a Black Woman’s Freedom to Love Whom She Wants?” Aniyah Stone, Howard University.
Black Woman’s Love Books: “Octavia Butler’s Kindred.” Audrey Hunter, Howard University.
Keynote Speaker 1:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m.
BALLROOM A
Dr. JacQuetta Ayewoh
Jacquetta T. Ayewoh, PhD is a former secondary level English Language Arts teacher and principal from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Dr. Ayewoh entered Morgan’s English Doctoral Program in 2018, and has since earned her doctorate degree in 2024 in English. Dr. Ayewoh’s research interests include, but are not limited to: 20th-21st century African American literature, Black Gender Studies, Cultural Studies, and Black Cinema and Media Studies. Dr. Ayewoh is currently a Lecturer of First Year Writing and African American Literature Post-1940 at Howard University. In addition to teaching, Dr. Ayewoh is a Professional Writing Tutor where she provides one-on-one writing assistance. Dr. Ayewoh is also founder and CEO of Petty Professor Writing Services, LLC where she provides a simplified approach of writing studies for K-12 teachers as well as offering supplemental writing assistance for K-12 and post-secondary level students. Outside of the classroom, Dr. Ayewoh is an active and proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Nu Sigma Zeta Chapter (Harrisburg, Pa) where she serves as an undergraduate advisor for collegiate-level members. Additionally, she serves as co-advisor for the Sigma Tau Delta International Honors Society- Theta Theta Chapter at Howard University where she and a committee of her peers are currently planning the organization’s second annual Composition, Rhetoric, and Research Virtual Conference.
Presentations
2:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m.
BALLROOM A
Rewriting the Slave Narrative in Octavia Butler’s Kindred Chair: Jordan Akins, Howard University
“Why Not a White Man Show Moral Gratitude Toward a Black Man in Octavia Butler’s Kindred?” Jordan Adkins, Howard University.
“Echoes of the Ancestors: Why Not?: An Examination of Octavia Butler’s Kindred” Esther Amosu, Howard University.
“Why not a Black Woman Recognized for Being So Powerful, that she Reshapes History in Octavia Butler’s Kindred?” Kyla Burroughs, Howard University.
“Octavia Butler ’s Kindred: The Review, Mikaili Madden, Howard University
BALLROOM B
Reimagining Possibilities in Kindred Chair: Imani Monday
“Speculating Hope and Love in Kindred. Imani Monday, Howard University
“Why Not Wednesday: An Examination of Speculative Fiction in Kindred.” Timeyin Kristopher.
“Why Not Imagine Enslaved People With Access to Education in Kindred?” Everett Payne Jr., Howard University
“Connection to Our Ancestors.”Makayla, Truitt
Spirituality in Kindred
BALLROOM C
“O Black Guardian Angel, There Are Shackles ‘Round Your Feet: Octavia Butler’s Kindred As A Cosmic Metaphor For Slavery’s Persistence in the Lives of Black Women,”Avery Bennekin, Howard University
“Reflecting on Generational Trauma and Resilience in Kindred by Octavia Butler,” Ahmed Mohammed, Howard University
“Rhetoric in Octavia Butler’s Kindred,” Kyle Williams, Howard University Octavia Butler, Kindred: The Review.”
“Octavia Butler Critical Response,” Savanna Riddick, Howard University
“Afrofuturism in Octavia Butler’s Kindred,” Moses Rogers, Howard University
CLOSING REMARKS AND AWARDS
3:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks and Awards will be provided by students and faculty.
Upcoming Events
Inaugural First Year Writing Program’s Black Film Festival
February 10-14, 2025
Dates: February 10–14, 2025
Location: TBA
Howard University proudly presents the Visions of Freedom: A Black Film Festival, a week-long celebration of Black excellence in filmmaking. This festival highlights the artistry, stories, and voices of emerging and established Black filmmakers whose work amplifies themes of social justice, cultural identity, and the resilience of the African Diaspora.
The festival will feature screenings of impactful films, including David Banner’s Fight Night series, Howard Clay’s Mile 19, Dr. Drake’s Shutdown, Zarian Hadley and Brandon Myree’s Blacks in Hollywood documentary, Dr. Monique L. Akassi’s Healing From Silence Film Premiere, Dr. Nikyatu Jusu’s Nanny, and Dr. Wachanga’s Documentary on Micere Githae Mugo
Each screening will be followed by Q&A sessions and panel discussions with filmmakers, writers, and cultural critics, offering an opportunity to dive deeper into the creative and cultural processes behind these works.
Visions of Freedom is not just a celebration of storytelling but a call to reimagine cinema as a space for empowerment, resistance, and cultural preservation. Join us in February 2025 as we continue to uplift and amplify Black voices in the film industry.
Womanism and Afrofuturism Conference April 1, 2025
Theme: Womanism and Afrofuturism: Reimagining Futures in the Paradigm Shift Era
Dates: April 1, 2025
Location: Virtual Via Zoom
The Womanism and Afrofuturism Conference brings together scholars, writers, artists, and students to explore the intersection of womanist theory and Afrofuturistic thought in the 21st century. This year’s conference focuses on the role of these frameworks in reimagining futures, particularly in the current sociopolitical landscape shaped by the Kamala Harris Era.
Featuring keynote addresses, panel discussions, and creative showcases, the conference aims to delve into themes such as:
• The empowerment of Black women in leadership and storytelling.
• Afrofuturism as a tool for envisioning jusFce, equity, and innovaFon.
• The cultural and poliFcal significance of speculaFve narraFves rooted in the African Diaspora.
Select student presentations and scholarly works will be showcased, and attendees are invited to participate in interactive sessions that foster collaboration and critical dialogue.
The conference seeks to bridge academic inquiry with creative practice, providing a platform to celebrate diverse voices and forge pathways toward a more inclusive and visionary future. Join us in April 2025 for this landmark event at the forefront of Womanist and Afrofuturistic scholarship and activism.
Thank You for Joining Us
Thank you for attending the Inaugural First-Year Writing Research Symposium! Today’s event showcased the exceptional talent, critical thinking, and creativity of our first-year writing students. Through their exploration of Octavia Butler’s Kindred and its themes of race, identity, and historical trauma, these students have demonstrated their ability to engage with complex ideas and contribute meaningfully to academic discourse.
We are thrilled to announce that select student presentations from today’s symposium will be published in Howard University’s Undergraduate Research Journal next week. This is a significant achievement for our students and an opportunity to share their scholarship with a wider academic audience.
Stay Connected
Continue to follow the inspiring work of the First-Year Writing Program and our students by connecting with us on social media:
• TikTok: @HUFYWP
• Instagram: @howard_u_first_year_writing
Thank you again for supporting our students and for being part of this exciting event. We look forward to seeing you at future symposiums and events!
Warm Regards,
Dr. Monique L.
Akassi
Director for First-Year Writing Program
Howard University