Polymath Robeson: American Renaissance Man

As part of the Polymath Festival, this landmark event aims to present a comprehensive view of Paul Robeson, not just as a prominent artist and activist, but as a multifaceted individual who excelled in various fields, with all his achievements ultimately serving a unified revolutionary vision. 

By highlighting his diverse talents as a singer, actor, athlete, lawyer, and activist, the event hopes to introduce a new generation of audiences to the full scope of his life and work, particularly in a time when the values of being a polymath and advocating for social justice are considered increasingly important. 

Waqas Ahmed, author of The Polymath, will be in conversation with distinguished scholars Professor Anthony Bogues and Professor Hakim Adi, with a special performance from the multitalented artist Ackeem Salmon.

The event is hosted by SOAS, Robeson's alma mater, in collaboration with the DaVinci Network. It is free and open to the public.

About the speakers

Anthony Bogues is a distinguished scholar and curator who specializes in Africana Studies, political theory, and Caribbean/African intellectual and cultural history, currently serving as the Asa Messer Professor of Humanities and Africana Studies and Director of the Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice. His expertise spans radical political thought, critical theory, and Caribbean/African art, with notable publications including works on C.L.R. James, Black political intellectuals, and Haitian art, while also actively curating exhibitions and teaching courses on Africana political philosophy and the African diaspora.

Hakim Adi, a SOAS alumnus, is an award-winning historian whose work has been translated into French, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic. He is currently a Senior Research Fellow at the Department of International History at the London School of Economics and Professorial Research Associate at the Centre of Pan-African Studies at SOAS. Hakim was the first historian of African heritage to become a professor of history in Britain. He has appeared in many documentary films, on TV and on radio and has written widely on the history of Africa and the African Diaspora, including three history books for children.

Ackeem Salmon is an art director, photographer, and multimedia artist. He received his BFA from the College for Creative Studies in Photography with a minor in Fine Art. He specializes in Fashion and Fine Art portraiture. His personal work is centered around postcolonial theories, and other aspects of critical theory. His professional practice consists of mixed media works, performance, film, and critical writing. 

Waqās Ahmed is Founder & CEO of the DaVinci Network. He is considered a world authority on multidisciplinary thought and practice, and is author of the internationally acclaimed book The Polymath (Wiley 2019). A SOAS alumnus, he is now Founding Faculty at the London Interdisciplinary School (LIS), and has been Visiting Scholar at the University of Cambridge and Visiting Fellow at the Open University Business School. With a background in art, science and international affairs, he has been called a “modern renaissance man” by various publications.