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Mission Statement

The mission of the Society for Black Military Studies (SBMS) is to promote understanding, appreciation, and greater dialogue about the Black military experience. Our mission is to provide greater coherence to the field and preserve, analyze, and disseminate histories, heritages, arts, and literature that focus on the lives and legacies of Black military service members globally. We welcome scholars from all disciplines [and community members] who are interested in exploring and expanding the narratives of soldiers of African descent from all branches, veterans, military family life, paramilitary organizations, militias, and self-defense practitioners.

 

SMBS aims to :

  1.  Exchange: To provide a forum for exchanging information and ideas about the Black military experience.

  2. Scholarship: To support research and scholarship on the Black military, culture, history, and heritage.

  3. Engagement: Commitment to public engagement and sharing the stories of the often ignored and overlooked.

  4. Awareness: To promote a broader understanding and awareness of the Black soldier in war and society.

  5. Honor: To honor the service and sacrifice of Black military service members.

 

These objectives underpin the Society’s mission of exploring, preserving, and sharing Black soldiers’ contributions throughout history and raising awareness of the Black military experience in all its complexity.

An_African_soldier_or_'Askari'_on_guard_duty_at_No._23_Air_School_at_Waterkloof,_Pretoria,
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