Talitha Tukura Pam is earning her PhD in anthropology and history at the University of Michigan. Talitha entered the joint doctoral program after earning a master’s degree in community sustainability from Michigan State University, where she received a Mastercard Foundation Fellowship. Prior to that, she spent over seven years working in various nongovernmental organizations to advance community development initiatives, specifically for women and girls, in northern Nigeria. In 2012, she also co-founded the Eden Creation Care Initiative, a Nigerian nonprofit that primarily focuses on conservation and environmental awareness in Nigerian communities.

She was chosen to share her presentation, “Crossing Borders: Afropolitan Voices in Literature, Migration and Education,”, on behalf of the African Studies Center to provide insight on how migration may influence African Identity. Her presentation encapsulates the past, present, and future of the African diaspora and the different impacts on identity. 

Talitha began her presentation by reshaping the misconception of the Historical African identity. Often is, the African diaspora simply tied to only the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Talitha shared that many free individuals traveled as sailors, merchants, and students as they contributed to cultural exchanges around the world. This voluntary migration existed in the past and in the present as well. 

She went on to discuss how the Modern African Diaspora has experienced a large change from the student perspective. A key factor for voluntary migration is in order to experience internationally renowned higher education. Education is an investment for the family’s future. Talitha shared that being a student who is part of the African Diaspora comes with many pressures. Concerns from your family about cultural assimilation and losing your African heritage. The internal concerns of balancing your traditional values with the new ones you are presented with. As well as external concerns of navigating discrimination and stereotypes. 

Talitha transitions to the later portion of her presentation by sharing a quote by Taiye Selsasi from Bye-Bye Babar,

She shared this presentation on identity to urge American teachers to understand the complex challenges that are faced by students from differing generations in the African Diaspora. Encouraging them not to stick to simplistic narratives and the model minority myth. Understanding these differences in culture will aid in improving the learning environment. This will aid in the main goal of social integration, which is to avoid isolation and academic success from the support they can find in their teachers. 

Some best practices are:

  • Encouraging multicultural education through culturally responsive teaching.
  • Understand the students you are teaching and explore culturally specific literature.
  • Connect them with language support when applicable and possible.
  • Make use of family and community engagement.
  • Ensure appropriate media usage when showcasing cultural representation.

After completing her PhD, Talitha intends to pursue an academic job and teach and research topics including gender, social and economic history, conflict, and the environment. In particular, she aims to implement an innovative approach to teaching African history and anthropology that “allows students to embrace new ideas about Africa and all that it has to offer.” She is further committed to being a change agent, contributing to policy work and development activities, and supporting women of color through her professional activities.