2023 Incoming Grad Series: Priscilla Amoako

THE STORY

I was born in Ghana and spent the early parts of my adolescence in Nigeria and Ghana respectively. This allowed me to benefit from both cultures which are similar in Africaness but distinctly unique in terms of culture. I studied Theatre Arts and History at the University of Ghana where I completed my Bachelor's degree. I continued to nurture this interest and completed my Master's degree in History at the University of Ghana. I will be pursuing my PhD in History at UCSB. I am excited about l this opportunity since it will boost my career as a professional historian.

Though an ambivert, I am an outgoing person who enjoys sharing stories with friends. I also love to meet new people and play around with colours when dressing. I am passionate about beautifying my friends by doing their hair and makeup. Raised by a single parent, I had to support my mum in taking care of the family's needs. This exposed me to life on the streets of Accra where I sold sachet water at the Legon bus stop. I earned money from this trade and also got inspired to pursue my undergraduate degree because the bus stop was close to the university where I saw students trooping in and out of campus to attend lectures. As a history facilitator, I love to share my experiences with my students while nurturing their interest in African history.

WHY UCSB

Out of the variety of schools that could be potential institutions to pursue my career in history, I chose UCSB because the expertise of African and Africanist scholars at the Department of History fueled my drive to undertake my PhD at UCSB. Their interest in my research gave me the great gust to make UCSB my intellectual home. I am also excited about the inclusive teaching and learning environment which provides an intellectually stimulating experience for diverse students.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

I am interested in women's history. As an undergraduate, I majored in History and Theatre Arts. My interest in both courses gave me the requisite drive to write my long essay titled "History of Women in Drama: A Dramatic Reflection on the Role of Women in Post-Colonial Ghana 1960- 1990". Building on this interest, I further explored incidences of gender disparity in institutions of Higher Education especially at the University of Ghana. With this passion, I co-authored a book chapter with my professor at graduate school titled "Women in African Universities in Africa". As someone looking forward to expanding the research on women and issues of gender in Ghana, my grandmother's lived experiences drew my attention to how women used hair and fashion as a form of agency. My conversations with clients as a hairstylist and a historian have informed my interest in exploring the consumption of hair, fashion and beauty technologies among Ghanaian women in the 19th and 20th Centuries.

FUN FACTS

I am as passionate as Oribe about bridal hairstyling and creative with wedding interior decor and making of bouquets. Like the great griots of West Africa , I love to captivate the attention of my listeners through storytelling. As a budding historian, I love to connect the dots between the past and present. Through acting, I love to express myself on stage (l admire Leticia Wright). The good cook I am loves to treat her guests to a great meal. I am also a lover of cats and dogs, and I like to dance to Afrobeat. I hope to maximize my potential, learn new ideas and build lifelong relationships with the diverse community at UCSB.