UWI Vice-Chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles to Deliver Distinguished Scholar Lecture at New York University

Dear Media Partner,

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) invites members of the regional media to cover a public lecture by Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, recently appointed Distinguished Scholar for 2026–2027 by New York University (NYU). Sir Hilary will be hosted by NYU’s Centre for the Study of Africa and the African Diaspora, led by Professor Michael Gomez.

Event: Distinguished Scholar Public Lecture: “The Economics of Wealth Creation: Why Enslaved Black Women Were the Financial Core of the Slavery Business Model” delivered by Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor, The UWI

Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm (New York / Eastern Caribbean time) | 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm (Jamaica time)

Location: NYU Silver Center, Hemmerdinger Hall, New York

How to cover: Join live on Zoom: https://nyu.zoom.us/j/93841506438
Further event details and registration: https://csaad.nyu.edu/event/chattel-like-cattle-enslaved-women-as-perfect-property/

We look forward to your participation.

Background
The appointment marks Sir Hilary’s return to NYU 32 years after he served as a visiting scholar at its Centre for Latin American and Caribbean Studies in 1994, where he was succeeded by Professor Kamau Brathwaite. It adds to a series of international recognitions, including his selection as Honorary International Historian of the Year in 2022 and his role as Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor-at-Large at Cornell University. These honours continue to raise the global profile of The UWI and its commitment to excellence, international collaboration and scholarly dialogue.

Kind regards,

University Marketing and Communications Office

Office of the Vice-Chancellor