The Center for Black Studies hosts its second annual AfroGEEKS conference—the three-day event begins on Thursday, May 19—at UCSB to discuss the impact of technological advances on black innovation and artistry. AfroGEEKS will maintain its African accent with scheduled speakers from Ghana, Uganda, and South Africa.

Several presentations grouped under the heading “E-Rastas: AfroGEEKS and the Afro-Latin Diaspora” start the conference in Corwin Pavilion at 2 p.m. on Thursday. Engineers, historians, feminists, musicians, and other speakers will discuss the growing problem of technological boundaries.

During the conference, over 40 panelists will speak on topics such as “Decolonizing Black Cyberbodies” and “Rural Connectivities: Networking the African Village.” The presentations will draw on many media venues, and include a live broadcast of the AfroDicia radio show.

“There is something for everybody at this conference,” said conference organizer Anna Everett, director of the Center for Black Studies. “They can expect to see a spectacular array of sensory experiences, including electronic music, spoken word, and art, but also some serious scholarship on the intersection of technology, society, and culture.”

The conference is free of charge and participants can register at the AfroGEEKS Web site <www.afrogeeks.com>. Conference attendees have the option of going to Rocks! in Santa Barbara on Saturday night for a wrap party, admission to which costs $30 and includes dinner, live music, and dancing.

For more information on the 2005 AfroGEEKS convention, call x3914 or email afrogeeks@cbs.ucsb.edu.