James L. Conyers Jr.

James L. Conyers Jr. (1961-2021) was a prominent scholar and educator, serving as the longtime director of the African American Studies Program and professor at the University of Houston, where he transformed the program through his research and authored or edited over 40 books on African American studies.[2][3][4] Previously, he was a professor of Black Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and held a Ph.D. from Temple University, contributing extensively to organizations like the National Council of Black Studies.[4][6] He was also an activist, mentor, and philanthropist who passed away on January 25, 2021, at age 59.[2][3]