Founded in 1968 as the result of student activism, the UCSB Center for Black Studies Research conducts research on the social, historical, political, economic, and culture of peoples of African heritage throughout the world. The center sponsors research initiatives on Urban Studies, Caribbean Studies, and Race and Technology. In addition, the Center organizes and presents seminars, lectures, and symposia and serves as a liaison between the campus and the Santa Barbara community. The Center is the institutional home of the Journal of Haitian Studies and Kalfou: A Journal of Comparative and Relational Ethnic Studies as well as KOSANBA, A Scholarly Association for the Study of Haitian Vodou founded in 1997.