Scholars and department leaders convened after a string of policy and institutional moves that have put Black‑studies programs at risk, including dissolutions, funding pauses, and removal of general‑education designations. Faculty speakers from Columbia, the University of Texas, and other institutions described a wave of legislative and administrative actions that are reshaping departmental viability and graduate training in African American and Pan‑African studies. Concurrently, the Iowa House advanced bills that would require public universities to add mandated civics courses, flag classes with DEI or CRT‑related content for possible removal by the state Board of Regents, and change presidential selection procedures to concentrate power with voting regents. Together, these developments reflect an intensifying legislative effort to exert curricular and governance control over public higher education, forcing institutions to navigate compliance, academic freedom, and program viability decisions.