Endowed Chair:
African/African-American Studies
For further information, please contact
'Niyi Coker, Jr.
E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor of
African/African-American Theatre,
Center for International Studies
314-516-4572
314-516-6757 FAX
'Niyi Coker, Jr.
Recognizing St. Louis' Largest Minority Community
Through the generosity of noted St. Louis philanthropist, E. Desmond Lee, the University of Missouri-St. Louis established the E. Desmond Lee Professorship in African/African-American Studies in 1998.
The creation of this professorship comes at a particularly auspicious time. As the elements for economic, social and political renewal create changes throughout Africa, the E. Desmond Lee Professorship in African/African-American Studies will support the work of a distinguished expert in the field of African/African-American Studies. Through teaching and research that focus on African and African-diaspora studies, the history, contributions and current status of African nations and their descendants will become better known. This enhanced knowledge will create a new appreciation for the cultural heritage of African-Americans in the St. Louis community and acknowledge their contribution to the unique nature of our local cultural diversity.
Biographical Note
'Niyi Coker, Jr. received the B.A. in Dramatic Arts from the University of Ife, where he studied under Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka. He received the MFA in Directing from Brooklyn College CUNY, and studied with Academy Award Winner F. Murray Abrahams. He received the Ph.D in African American Studies from Temple University, under the tutelage of Social Critic Molefi Asante and Pulitzer winner Charles Fuller.
'Niyi Coker has served as Artisitic Director at the National Theatre of Nigeria, Malmo Hogskola in Sweden, and "The" theatre in Bermuda. He is the founding Artisitic Director of the African Arts Ensemble in New York City. His theatre directing credits include Ola Rotimi's "The Gods Are Not to Blame" at the Nat Horne Theatre- Off Broadway in New York City, Lewis Nkosi's "The Psychiatrist" at the John Houseman Theatre in New York City (Theatre Row), and at King Alfreds Theatre in Winchester, England. He has also received the Kennedy Center Award and recognition for Directing.
He received British Council Grant and Support in writing the play, "Endangered Species", which was also performed at John Houseman Theatre in New York and toured several theatres in the United Kingdom. In association with the Southern Ute Tribal Council in Colorado, he wrote the historical play, "Ouray". This is a play based on the 19th century struggles of the Utes in Colorado, against European encroachment.
His writing, Directing and Producing film credtis include, "Black Studies USA", which won best short documentary at the Berlin Black Film Festival in Germany in 2005. He also produced "The Black 14" for FERPA/PBS through the University of Wyoming Television. He has served as Consultant for Black Canyon/HBO Productions Emmy nominated documentary "Fields of Fire". His other films include "Happy Birthday Gerome", and coming soon, "The Gate" whichis written by Arnold Baker.
He has published two books; "A Study of the Music and Social Criticism of African Musician Fela Kuti" and "Ola Rotimi's African Theatre: The Development of an Indigenous Aesthetic" both published by Mellen Press. His articles have appeared in the NYU Renaissance Journal and Journal for Black Studies. He has a book chapter in the forthcoming "Handbook for Black Studies" edited by Molefi Asante and Maulana Karenga, published by Sage Press.
