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2026 ARHU Dean's Lecture Series with Angélique Kidjo

'Africa’s premier diva' to discuss music, cultural fluency and global advocacy with Dean Stephanie Shonekan.

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UMD Launches Bachelor’s Degree to Explore Human Dimensions of AI

New major aims to ethically advance AI tech, prepare students to address its societal impact.

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On Friday, ARHU Dean Stephanie Shonekan presented a seminar to the School of Music @terpsmusic: Remain in Light: A Comparative Analysis of the albums of Talking Heads and Angélique Kidjo.  Tonight, we have the incredible opportunity to hear Dean Shonekan interview Angélique Kidjo live on stage at @theclariceumd The Clarice! They will talk about music, culture, language and humanitarianism, and the evening will include performances by UMD students which are inspired by Kidjo’s legacy.  Among her diverse repertoire of music, Angélique Kidjo reinterpreted the Talking Heads’ 1980 album, Remain in Light in 2018. Both Talking Heads and Kidjo were deeply influenced by the musical framework and intensity of Nigerian afrobeat musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti. While the two albums raise questions of interpretation and appropriation, they also invite an exploration of how the identities and socio-cultural contexts of the band from New York City and the African woman from the Republic of Benin produce different meanings across their respective albums.  Have you listened to both versions of Remain in Light? Give them a listen and let Dean Shonekan know what you think! And join us tonight at 6:30! Go.umd.edu/kidjo
As the Driskell Center celebrates its 25th anniversary, Neil and Juanita Hartbarger have made a planned gift that will create enduring support for the center’s collections. Juanita first encountered African American art in college, discovering artists and stories she had never been taught. Years later, that interest became a shared passion with her husband, Neil. As they immersed themselves in the Washington region’s arts community, they found themselves in the orbit of David C. Driskell, the renowned artist, scholar and Distinguished University Professor Emeritus. “He saw that we cared, that we were interested, that we wanted to learn. He welcomed us,” Juanita said. That grew into a decades-long friendship with David and Thelma Driskell and a lasting connection to the Driskell Center. Now, their bequest represents their entire estate, including more than 50 works of art that will become part of the Driskell Center’s permanent collection. Named in honor of David and Thelma Driskell, the gift will also establish funds to support conservation, new acquisitions and staff expertise. “If we are going to have any sort of legacy, we knew it had to be in support of something that’s had a significant impact on our lives,” Juanita said. Read more at the link in bio.
Get your free tickets to hear Angélique Kidjo in conversation with Dean Stephanie Shonekan on Monday, Oct. 5 at The Clarice! Hear why Dean @stephshonekan invited her to UMD for the latest event in our ARHU Dean’s Lecture Series! Tix available at: go.umd.edu/kidjo or get the link in bio! Fun facts about Angélique Kidjo: 1) She is the first African musician and first Black African to receive a star on the Hollywood walk of fame (in August 2026!) 2) She is a Unicef and Oxfam goodwill ambassador, and is the co-founder of the Batonga Foundation, which helps vulnerable young girls and women in Benin. 3) She speaks and sings fluently in five languages (Fon, French, Yoruba, Goun/Gen, and English) and has created her own personal language! 4) She has collaborated with artists including: Bono, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Peter Gabriel, Josh Gobran, Carlos Santana, Joss Stone, Branford Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Yo Yo Ma, Burna Boy and Ezra Koenig. Join us to celebrate music, culture and hope and be inspired by the incomparable Angélique Kidjo! You don't want to miss it! #UMDartsforall #AngéliqueKidjo

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