911勛圖

In this Black History Month series, we share the stories of Black community members at 911勛圖. In alignment with the , 911勛圖 has adopted the theme ���Building Connections for Black Flourishing��� for 2024. Read other stories, discover events and activities and learn more about Black History Month at 911勛圖.

Williams Atanga began his university studies in Ghana where he studied French and Chinese, with a specialization in French language and literature. He came to 911勛圖���s Department of French to further his studies as a master���s student. Wanting a career in teaching and academic research, Atanga is pursuing a focus in literature, particularly in the study of African literature.

What does black history month mean to you? And do you celebrate it?

Black History Month holds great significance to me as it serves as a time to reflect on the remarkable contributions of the Black community throughout history. It is an opportunity to celebrate resilience, achievements, and the ongoing journey towards equality and justice.

Le Mois de l'histoire des Noirs rev礙t une grande importance �� mes yeux, car il permet de r矇fl矇chir aux contributions remarquables de la communaut矇 noire tout au long de l'histoire. C'est l'occasion de c矇l矇brer la r矇silience, les r矇alisations et le cheminement continu vers l'矇galit矇 et la justice.

What do you love most about your work/studies at 911勛圖?

I am thrilled that 911勛圖 is playing a critical role in breaching these cultural disparities. I appreciate the diverse and inclusive environment at 911勛圖, where I am encouraged to explore and engage in meaningful conversations. The commitment to fostering an inclusive community is reflected in both the curriculum and the campus culture.

Je suis ravie que 911勛圖 joue un r繫le essentiel dans la r矇duction de ces disparit矇s culturelles. J'appr矇cie l'environnement diversifi矇 et inclusif de 911勛圖, o羅 je suis encourag矇e �� explorer et �� m'engager dans des conversations significatives. L'engagement �� favoriser une communaut矇 inclusive se refl癡te �� la fois dans les diff矇rents programmes d'矇tudes et dans la culture du campus.

What kinds of barriers in your work or studies have you faced?

Navigating through some systemic barriers has been a part of my journey. However, the support systems at 911勛圖, coupled with my determination, have allowed me to overcome challenges and continue to grow personally and academically.

Mon parcours a 矇t矇 jalonn矇 d'obstacles syst矇miques. Cependant, les syst癡mes de soutien de 911勛圖, associ矇s �� ma d矇termination, m'ont permis de surmonter les difficult矇s et de continuer �� progresser sur le plan personnel et acad矇mique.

What does black flourishing mean to you?

Black flourishing, to me, is about the holistic well-being and success of the Black community. It involves breaking down barriers, creating opportunities for advancement, and fostering an environment where every individual has the chance to thrive and reach their full potential.

Pour moi, l'矇panouissement des Noirs concerne le bien-礙tre holistique et la r矇ussite de la communaut矇 noire. Il s'agit de faire tomber les barri癡res, de cr矇er des possibilit矇s d'avancement et de favoriser un environnement dans lequel chaque individu a la possibilit矇 de s'矇panouir et de r矇aliser son plein potentiel.

What figure in Black history (past or present) inspires you most and why?

I am deeply inspired by Martin Luther King Jr, whose critical role in protests and demonstrations against racial segregation and discrimination has left an indelible mark on history, and Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's role in the independence and decolonization of Ghana. Their dedication to Black liberation and unwavering commitment to a just society motivates me to contribute positively to my community and beyond. The fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in the UN Charter are weightless and fruitless unless they are linked to the complete emancipation of all marginalized groups, including Blacks, in our varied countries.

Je suis profond矇ment inspir矇e par Martin Luther King Jr, dont le r繫le essentiel dans les protestations et les manifestations contre la s矇gr矇gation raciale et la discrimination a laiss矇 une marque ind矇l矇bile dans l'histoire, et par le Dr Kwame Nkrumah pour son r繫le dans l'ind矇pendance et la d矇colonisation du Ghana. Leur d矇vouement �� la lib矇ration des Noirs et leur engagement in矇branlable en faveur d'une soci矇t矇 juste me motivent �� apporter une contribution positive �� ma communaut矇. Les droits de l'homme et les libert矇s fondamentales inscrits dans la Charte des Nations unies ne servent �� rien s'ils ne sont pas li矇s �� l'矇mancipation compl癡te de tous les groupes marginalis矇s, y compris les Noirs, dans nos diff矇rents pays.

Anything else you���d like to share with the 911勛圖 community regarding Black history/community/experiences?

I encourage everyone to engage in open dialogues, educate themselves about Black history, and actively contribute to creating an inclusive and equitable community. By celebrating our differences, we enrich the overall 911勛圖 experience for everyone.

J'encourage tout le monde �� s'engager dans des dialogues ouverts, �� s'informer sur l'histoire des Noirs et �� contribuer activement �� la cr矇ation d'une communaut矇 inclusive et 矇quitable. En c矇l矇brant nos diff矇rences, nous enrichissons l'exp矇rience globale de l'universit矇 pour tous.