On Tuesday,
October 27th, 2009, members of the Philadelphia Dialogue Forum held a
luncheon at UPenn with Associate Professor of History at the University
of Pennsylvania, Dr. Lee Cassanelli. Dr.
Cassanelli specializes in African History,
specifically Ethiopia and Somalia from the 18th to 20th centuries.
We had an
interesting conversation about the African population in the United
States as well as in Philadelphia alone. Dr. Cassanelli stated that he
has recently received a grant to research Muslim Africans who have
migrated to the Philadelphia area.
Towards the
end of the luncheon, questions were asked on how Dr. Cassanelli’s
interest in Africa started. He replied by saying that he wanted to be
involved in things that others never thought of.
The
Philadelphia dialogue Forum was pleased to be able to have this
opportunity with Dr. Cassanelli and we look forward to further meetings
with him.
