The Center for Regional Studies at the University of New Mexico has recently launched two archival collections featuring materials from Black professors who were key leaders in advancing Africana studies and the equitable treatment of Black students, faculty, and staff at the university.
The first collection features documents, publications, photographs, and other materials from the life of Reverend Charles Becknell, Sr., the founder of the University of New Mexico’s Africana studies department. In addition to his work in academia, Dr. Becknell was an active public servant. He was appointed by Governor Jerry Apodaca to serve as secretary of criminal justice planning. He also had stints as presidents of the New Mexico Black Leadership Conference, the New Mexico Black Political Action Committee, and the Albuquerque Black Coalition. As a poet and author, he penned several publications, including No Challenge – No Change: Growing Up Black in New Mexico (Jubilee Publications, 2003).
The second collection features a variety of items documenting the life of Harold Bailey, a three-time alumnus and director of the Afro-American studies program at the University of New Mexico. During his tenure, he advocated for students during the University of New Mexico Athletic Boycott demanding equitable treatment and recruitment of scholar athletes regardless of race. In 1976, he served as chair of the university’s Equal Employment Opportunity Committee. Outside of higher education, Dr. Bailey served as president of the NAACP’s Albuquerque branch and as executive director of the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs.
