The goal of this book is to provide an introduction to African American studies. The story put forth in this text is one of agency, identity, and power. It is important to provide an emphasis on the cross-cultural influences between African Americans and Africans. The focus is on people of African descent, their shared experiences, contributions, victories, and struggles. Above all, this text is concerned with the massive movements and extensive relocations, over long periods of time, resulting in the dispersal of Africans and their descendants throughout much of the United States and how this helped to influence the African diaspora.