The James A. Porter Colloquium, established at Howard University in 1990 by former Department of Art Chair Dr. Floyd C. Coleman, is named in honor of the late Dr. James A. Porter, scholar, art historian and former Chair of the Department of Art Howard University. His seminal 1943 publication Modern Negro Art formed the foundation for the scholarly study of African American Art. The annual colloquium builds on Dr. Porter’s pioneering work to nurture the scholarly study, appreciation and celebration of African American Art and has attracted scores of internationally renowned speakers, among them: David C. Driskell, Lisa E. Farrington, Okwui Enwezor, Lowery Stokes Sims, Robert Farris Thompson, Kelli Jones, Valerie Cassell Oliver, artists Lorna Simpson, William T. Williams, Sam Gilliam, Lyle Ashton Harris, Chakaia Booker and Lorraine O’Grady.