Studying the African Diaspora supports the academy’s mission of challenging and advancing social, scientific, and humanistic modes of inquiry. Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa, has long been one of the most mineral-rich continents in the world and is now home to some of the fastest-growing economies. The increased prevalence of stabilizing African governments, burgeoning African economies, and blossoming information technologies throughout sub-Saharan Africa has led to a rapidly expanding African middle class. This has significant ramifications for the global economy and our understanding of African culture globally.