HBCU Finally Removes the Names of a Ku Klux Klan Leader From a Residence Hall on Campus

Bibb Graves served as governor of Alabama for two terms; 1927-1931 and 1935-1939. He also was the Grand Cyclops of the Montgomery Klavern of the Ku Klux Klan.

Buildings on the campuses of many colleges and universities in Alabama were named in his honor.  Since 1929, Bigg Graves Hall has been a fixture on the campus of Alabama State University, a historically Black educational institution. State-operated universities in Alabama – including public HBCUs – were under the control of White governing boards and Black leaders at Alabama State had no say in things like naming campus buildings.

Now Alabama State University has finally removed the name of Bibb Graves from a residence hall on campus. A new name for the building will be forthcoming.

“This is the first step. We will now begin the process of selecting the appropriate name to be placed on the Bell Tower building,” said Quinton T. Ross, Jr., president of Alabama State University. “Many of our alumni have asked for this to happen. It was a topic of discussion as far back as my days as student government association president. I am proud that we are able to make this happen during my tenure as president of the university.”