Overview

This scholar is fully booked through 2023. This scholar will be available in 2024 for booking.
You may also book them outside of any Illinois Humanities affiliation using the contact information provided in the “Book This Road Scholar” section below.

For 35 years Dr. Amira Millicent Davis had done arts in education performances in schools and cultural institutions using African percussions, drums, storytelling, and song. She’s performed and presented workshops for family and adult audiences, taught Africana Studies at UIUC, Eastern University, and Richland Community College, and substitute teaching in elementary schools. She wants to share the insights gained in teaching Africana studies to audiences outside of academia.

Amira briefly describes herself and her programs…

Presentation 1

The Black Chicago Renaissance

In this presentation, Dr. Davis will guide participants through the Chicago Black Renaissance from the early to mid-20th century. The presentation will include a Q&A and an interactive component where audience members share their migration stories.

Program Topics

  • Chicago
  • Illinois
  • Anti-Racism
  • African American
  • History
  • Arts
  • Literature

Program Logistics

The presentation takes approximately 60 minutes, with extra time at the end for Q&A, making it approximately 90 minutes. Visuals are presented via PowerPoint. A projector and screen are required.



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Presentation 2

Jalimusa: An Epic Tale of Black Women’s Mothering

This presentation will be a combination performance and lecture on chapters of Davis’ book on Black women’s mothering. She will perform songs related to Black women’s mothering and read excerpts from her book, including stories of historical Black women that address issues such as representation, educational and maternal activism, aging, reproductive rights, and spirituality.

Program Topics

  • Live Music
  • African American
  • History
  • Literature

Program Logistics

The presentation takes approximately 60 minutes, with extra time at the end for Q&A, making it approximately 90 minutes. Visuals are presented via PowerPoint. A projector and screen are required.



Back to the 2023 – 2024 Road Scholar Roster

About the Road Scholar

Dr. Amira Millicent Davis, Ed.M., Ph.D.

Dr. Amira Millicent DavisAmira Millicent Davis holds an EdM in Curriculum & Instruction and a PhD in Educational Policy Studies with a concentration in African American Studies from the University of Illinois-Urbana. She also conducted postdoctoral research on Supplementary Saturday Schools in London.

Dr. Davis is the author of Jalimusa: An Epic Tale of Black Women’s Mothering. Several of her book chapters and articles are in publication, and she has been invited to present at numerous conferences. Amira is a mother, grandmother, and activist-artist-educator using African drums, percussions, and stories to entertain, educate, and motivate.

Learn More and Follow Amira

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Book this Road Scholar

Follow the steps below to book a presentation.

Step 1
Contact Amira to schedule a date and time via email at amira_davis@yahoo.com.

Step 2
Once you and Amira have agreed upon a date and time, complete the Road Scholars Host Organization application.

Back to the 2023 – 2024 Road Scholar Roster