College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Liberal Arts and Sciences Liberal Arts and Sciences

Photo Credit: Cre8jax

Geexella is a singer, contributor for WJCT, DJ, student, and dreamer of liberation. They founded Duval Folx in 2018, a dance party that was a direct response to Jacksonville at the time being a focal point for Black, Trans and GNC violence. This moment called for more than just a dance space in the south. They wanted to curate a brave and secure ecosystem for marginalized communities through dance music.

Flavorful came to life after the fusion of A&A Dlites and Saveurs Afrik’aines. It is run by two women from West Africa who grew up and lived in different parts of the world. Flavorful’s mission is to share the culinary treasures of Africa and other parts of the world while learning and sharing more about other cultures with you, our friends. It provides delightful Afro fusion cuisine, seasonings, cooking classes, travel experiences and so much more.

Ivoire Delice & Market is a restaurant that is committed to promoting the rich and diverse culture of Western and Central Africa. It also runs an onsite market where patrons can buy imported spices from Africa, groceries, and other items. Ivoire Delice & Market offers smoked fish, dried meats, plantains, and other fruits, frozen potato, sweet potato, jute and cassava leaves, fresh vegetables like water greens, collard greens, melon seeds, and more.

Cristovão Nwachukwu is a fourth-year PhD student in English at the University of Florida. He obtained his B.A. in Portuguese and English language and literatures in 2017 from the Federal University of Bahia, in Brazil. He currently studies African literatures, more specifically the representations of Black African immigrants in contemporary African novels that take place in the U.S. and Europe, and the impacts of racialization and trauma in the African family unit. His research interests include African Studies, Postcolonial Studies, Decolonial Studies, and Migration and Diaspora Studies.