National Conference of Black Political Scientists 2014

Having been founded in 1969, the National Conference of Black Political Scientists (NCOBPS) will celebrate its "Sapphire” anniversary in 2014, signaling45 years of existence. NCOBPS shares this important year with other epochs including the 60^thanniversary of the 1954 Brown versus Board of Education school desegregation decision; the 50^thanniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the 20^thanniversary of Nelson Mandela's becoming the president in South Africa (and the end of colonialism on the continent of Africa); and the 10^thanniversary of Barack Obama's stirring speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention which propelled him to national prominence and a two term presidency. Questions abound about how these events have impacted our understanding of the black political community and politics in a global society, and what should be the ultimate goals of engaging in studying issues that disproportionately affect persons of color around the globe. Moreover, how might Black Americans in general, and Black scholars in specific, understand the political meaning of race in a global society.