April 11, 2026, a day that will be noted in history as the first day of class for the YCLPDP - Youth Cultural Language Preservation Discovery Program, hallmark program of the African Roots and Heritage Foundation in partnership with the University of Dschang, Department of African Studies and Globalization led by Professor Jean Roman Kouesso. This class is designed to enhance the theoretical teachings of the classroom in African History, Studies, Culture and Literature and more by immersing the students in field research of the kingdoms situated around the Republic of Cameroon. Course material will be taught through a variety of means including: lecture and note taking, class discussion, film clips, intensive reading, group and individual projects, and most of all, conducting field interviews. Additionally, it is designed to give students field research experience in primary source interviews, data collecting and enhanced writing skills.

This initiative was lead by Professor Anita M.Diop, Executive Director of the African Roots and Heritage Foundation as began in 2023 as a field trip for the students of Department of African Literature and Black Civilizations at the University of Yaounde 1 in Yaounde, Cameroon. Now three years later it is now a fully accredited course offered for three transferable credit hours at the University of Dschang.  

Having surpassed our goals of enrolling twenty-five students with thirty-eight registrations, which had to be put on the waiting list for next term in the fall. The ratio of the student demographic is 57% men and 43% women which is very encouraging when seeking gender balance and women empowerment.

Key Faculty:

Professor Anita M. Diop, ARHF

Professor Jean Romain Kouesso, HOD African Studies and Globalization

Professor Dora Mbu, Assistant Director of ARHF, Department of Literature and Black Civilizations,

Professor Pangop Kameni, African Studies and Globalization

Dr. Jason Vasser-Elong, University of St. Louis