UW Students to Present Research for Black Life in Wyoming Symposium

University of Wyoming students will present their research projects during “Reimagining the West,” a biennial free public symposium on black life in Wyoming, Tuesday, May 3, at 12:15 p.m. in the Wyoming Union Family Room.

The 25 UW students’ new research findings focus on the lives and historical contributions of African-Americans to the Equality State and the American West. The “Reimagining the West” exhibitions will include such media as documentary films, portraits, photography, museum-style exhibitions and digital media created by students from the “Black West” class taught by Kerry Pimblott, African American and Diaspora Studies Program assistant professor.

Her students have spent the spring semester conducting original research on the black Western experience.

“The students’ projects are designed to highlight the important and often-overlooked contributions of African-Americans to Wyoming and the West,” Pimblott says.

The event and class projects are sponsored by the African American and Diaspora Studies Program, the Department of History, the American Heritage Center, and the Service, Leadership and Community Engagement office. Refreshments will be provided.

Students presenting, their hometowns and media, are:

Beulah -- Raena Bush, podcast.

Big Piney -- Zachary Wenz, museum-style exhibition board.

Billings, Mont. -- Megan Briggs, website.

Bonner Springs, Kan. -- Katherine Kasckow, museum-style exhibition board.

Casper -- Samantha Case, documentary short; Clinton Ide, museum-style exhibition board; and Sawyer Seville, website.

Cheyenne -- Taylor Fontes, museum-style exhibition board; Ashley McDowell, spoken word and documentary short; and Christian Robinson, website.

Elizabeth, Colo. -- Ellen Hughes, museum-style exhibition board.

Evanston -- Hunter Harp, website.

Evansville, Ind. -- Joe Wannemuehler, museum-style exhibition board.

Gillette -- Lee Cline, website.

Laramie -- Victoria Cortez, museum-style exhibition board; and Cassandra Hunter, historical marker.

Riverton -- Nicholas Riter, artwork.

Rock River -- Emma Summers, museum-style exhibition board.

Sheridan -- Gage McKeag, photography.

Torrington -- Seamus Smith, museum-style exhibition board.

Tours, France -- Alison Chendri, Kevin Lesien and Thomas Poitou, all website.

Wagoner, Okla. -- Gunnar Woodburn, museum-style exhibition board.

Wheatland -- Trena Tackitt, artwork.