Collection Overview

Creator: American Committee on Africa; Africa Today Associates; University of Denver Graduate School of International Studies

Title: Africa Today Collection

Inclusive Dates: 1954-1998

Size: 9.75 linear ft.

Processed By: Finding aid prepared by Julianna Van Pelt, August 1999; Web version prepared by Thyria K. Wilson, December 1999; revised May 2003

Africa Today was first published in April 1954 as the bulletin for the newly founded American Committee on Africa (ACOA) in New York. The Committee acted as a clearinghouse for information about African political and economic events and to help the emergence of democratic and self-governing states in Africa. In 1966, publication of Africa Today was transferred to the Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) at the University of Denver under the direction of George W. Shepherd, Jr.

George W. Shepherd, Jr. was an officer of ACOA and an editor of Africa Today from 1957 to 1961, and from 1967 to 1997. He taught at the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver from 1961 until his retirement in 1992. Beginning in 1967, Africa Today was published by Africa Today Associates, a non-profit corporation, in association with GSIS. The journal continued to contain book reviews and scholarly essays covering such diverse topics as African politics, culture, economics and anthropology. Shepherd was instrumental in forming Africa Today Associates for the purpose of publishing Africa Today. From 1969 to 1977, the journal was published in association with the Center on International Race Relations at GSIS. Shepherd founded the Center and was its Director until its closing in 1977.

Africa Today continued to be published in association with GSIS until the end of 1995. From 1974 until 1993, Edward A. Hawley served as executive editor. Beginning in 1996, Africa Today was published for Africa Today Associates by Lynne Rienner Publishers, Inc. in Boulder, Colorado. Publication was moved to the University of Indiana Press at the end of 1998. Although they are no longer editors, Shepherd and Hawley continue to be members of Africa Today Associates.

Scope and Content

The collection consists primarily of correspondence with editorial consultants. Also included are issues of the journal, and miscellaneous office materials.