Trae Manzili: An Advocate for Unity within the Global African Diaspora

PhD Africology and African American Studies

Trae Manzili is entering his third year in the renowned Africology and African American Studies PhD program at Temple. He is the Department of Africology’s 2023-2024 SAGE Asante Award recipient, belongs to the NCBS honor society, and has been teaching classes as a graduate teaching assistant while focusing his research on cultural continuity. Trae aims to become a professor when he finishes his degree.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Why did you decide to come to Temple for graduate school?

After finishing undergrad in 2014, I took a break from academia. However, during the pandemic, I felt the need for change and returned to school to pursue my master's degree. It was during my first master's class with Dr. Sutherland, the Africana Studies department chair at SUNY Albany, that I was inspired to pursue a PhD. From my very first day in her class, she emphasized to me the importance of continuing my graduate studies in a PhD program – and that if I was willing to work hard, it could be fully-funded. In my second year of the master’s program I started seriously looking at PhD programs, and with Temple’s Africology and African American Studies program being one of the top in the country, it was the clear choice for me.

Can you describe your main work and goals in your grad program at Temple?

Since starting the program, my research focus has shifted towards cultural continuity in relation to modernity. I hope to become a professor and advocate for unity among the African diaspora globally. I would like to see African people all over the world come together and highlight the importance of our culture, just like many other cultures do.

Are there any specific learning experiences at Temple that have significantly impacted your graduate studies?

My field work is a bit unique in that most people focus on a very specific type of history or philosophy – but I’m sort of meshing a lot of things together. A lot of the classes I take inform one another, and it’s hard to single them out since they’re so interconnected. Specifically though, The Afrocentric Paradigm was an incredibly enlightening class for me. It’s foundational to the Africology and African American Studies program here and has greatly influenced my perspective and research approach.

In what ways have you found community at Temple?

Although it can be hard to find community in grad school, when you are trying to balance so many things, I have found that the Africology department has a great one. Lots of people – both undergrads and grad students – show up to our events where we have a chance to network, get to know one another, and just enjoy the events. Africology is always up to something as they host and co-host many events throughout the year and bring in some of the most prominent figures in the field. I look forward to seeing the community continue to grow and getting to know more people in and outside the classroom.

What advice might you offer to other students with similar interests in grad school?

I'd emphasize readiness and dedication. I think that's the main thing – you get pushed into going to college so early, and sometimes we don’t really have a solid plan or goal in mind. When I decided to start grad school, it was because I was prepared, I was ready, and I knew what I wanted to do. Grad school demands a lot, but it's immensely rewarding when you're prepared and focused.