English Department Undergraduates Present at Conference

English Department undergraduate students Eden Marroquin, Yasamin Osqueezadeh, and Ella Stott joined Journalism and Communications and Political Science student Isabella Erwin at the annual Sema Hadithi African American Heritage and Cultural Foundation conference. This year’s theme was “Tell the Story,” and the event was split into two days. The first day was a celebration, with speeches, poetry readings, and musical performances. The second day included presentations, discussions, and lectures. Our undergraduate students were invited to present their research posters that have been in the works since February. 

The research project, under the direction of the group’s advisor and professor, Christine Cooper-Rompato, is working to provide information about Utah locations that were listed in African American travel guides. These guides, such as The Green Book, detailed safe locations for African American travelers to stay, dine, and shop. Christine says, “It’s wonderful to be able to involve students in research that means so much to people and to be able to contribute to our understanding of Utah history.” 

Eden’s poster was called, “Utah Hotels, Motels, and Guesthouses in Black American Travel Guides.” On her time at the conference, Eden said, “It was really eye-opening to hear and be a part of a conversation that not very many people are having or are even aware of. Sitting in a room listening to people talk about Utah’s Black history made me realize how much the Black community has done for Utah.” Isabella’s poster was about Utah restaurants in the travel guides, and Ella’s detailed specific businesses in Ogden that were Black-owned or Black-friendly. English Department alum, Xiomara Castro, created a poster entitled, “The Green Book and Black American Travel Guides: An Overview.” She started graduate school and was unable to attend the conference, but Christine presented it in her place. Yasamin’s poster was about Salt Lake City attorney and Civil Rights advocate, David H. Oliver. Yasamin commented, “The conference was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It was less about presentations and academics and more about community, empathy, and support. It was entertaining, knowledgeable, and very emotional. I learned more about Black communities and their experiences in Utah at this conference than I have in all my years of schooling.” 

The students are continuing to work with Sema Hadithi to transform their posters into a traveling museum exhibit. Christine says, “The students get to follow a project from its conception through to the final product — creating a traveling museum exhibit for Sema Hadithi that will reach hundreds, if not thousands, of people across the state. We’ve also been invited to present this research to high school students, so it’s exciting to think we are helping to shape a new generation of researchers.” 

The project has been supported by funding from the English Department, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Center for Intersectional Gender Studies and Research. The next phase of the project will be funded by the Undergraduate Research and Creative Opportunities grant.