African-American History

Higher Education Gifts or Grants of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

Duke Professor Pledges Half of Her Book’s Royalties to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Deondra Rose, endowed professor at Duke University and author of The Power of Black Excellence: HBCUs and the Fight for American Democracy, has pledged 50 percent of the book's royalties to support the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

St. Louis University’s Formal Apology for Its Ties to Slavery Canceled After Descendants Refuse to Participate

Robin Proudie, executive director of the Descendants of the St. Louis University Enslaved, stated the university's plan to reconcile for its historic ties to slavery "was completely dismissive of [DSLUE's] efforts and priorities. Their plans showed a blatant disregard for the descendant-led process we had worked so hard to establish."

Harvard Study Documents How Black World War I Veterans Shaped the Civil Rights Movement

"For many Black soldiers, the Great War entailed a battle not only against German aggression abroad, but also against racial oppression at home," the study authors write.

Georgia State University to Launch Historical Database to Identify Enslaved People in Georgia

The Data Mining and Mapping Antebellum Georgia project, led by Elizabeth West, the John B. and Elena Diaz-Verson Amos Distinguished Chair in English Letters at Georgia State University, aims to create an online, public database of the names and locations of thousands of enslaved people across the state of Georgia.

New Documentary Highlights the Experiences of Black Women Faculty at Northwestern University

The film, "Hearing Silences: 50 Years of Black Women Faculty at Northwestern," documents the history and experiences of Black women scholars at Northwestern, beginning with the institution's first Black women tenured professor, Joyce Hughes.

The Hampton University Museum Reopens With Expanded Exhibits

“The Hampton University Museum is not just a repository of art; it’s a living testament to the resilience of Black artists and the power of storytelling through art,” said museum director Vanessa Thaxton-Ward.

University of Michigan Publishes New Edition of the First Cookbook Authored by a Black American Woman

Nearly 160 years after its original publication, the University of Michigan has released a new edition of Malinda Russell's A Domestic Cookbook, the oldest known cookbook authored by a Black American woman.

The University of Texas School of Architecture Names Its Library After Its First Black Graduate

John Chase graduated from the School of Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin in 1952, making him the school's first-ever Black graduate. Over seven decades later, the university has established the John S. Chase Architecture and Planning Library in his honor.

The Staff of the Harvard Slavery Remembrance Program Has Been Abruptly Laid Off

Four months after the Harvard Slavery Remembrance Program director Richard Cellini told university administrators they could "fire [him] or let the HSRP do [their] work properly," the entire HSRP staff have been abruptly laid off.

Higher Education Gifts or Grants of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

University of Texas Acquires Collection of Papers From Black Performer Ethel Waters

Waters was the first Black performer to star in their own television special and the second Black actor nominated for an Academy Award. The new archival collection at the University of Texas features over two dozen boxes of her materials and over 180 audio recordings.

Tanisha Ford Wins National Book Award for a Biography of Prominent Civil Rights Movement Fundraiser

Dr. Ford's award-winning book - Our Secret Society: Mollie Moon and the Glamour, Money, and Power, Behind the Civil Rights Movement - examines the social history of Mollie Moon, founding president of the National Urban League Guild.

Street Named to Honor the First Black Football Player at the University of Memphis

Rogers walked-on to the football team at what was then Memphis State University in 1968, making him the institution's first Black football player. After graduating in 1972, he spent the next four decades as a coach and administrator with Memphis-area schools.

The Anti-Defamation League Honors Charles Chavis for Scholarship on Black and Jewish Relations

Dr. Chavis currently teaches as an assistant professor of conflict resolution and serves as the founding director of the John Mitchell, Jr. Program for History, Justice, and Race at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

North Carolina Supreme Court Unveils Portrait of NCCU Law Dean Patricia Timmons-Goodson

Patricia Timmons-Goodson was appointed to the North Carolina Supreme Court in 2006, making her the first Black woman to serve in that capacity. She has served as dean of the North Carolina Central University School of Law for the past year.

University at Buffalo Acquires Archival Collection From Historic Black Church

Founded in 1861, St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Buffalo, New York, is one of the country's oldest Black Episcopal congregations. Recently, the University at Buffalo has acquired a collection of materials documenting the church's history and impact on the Black community in Buffalo.

California State University, Northridge Acquires Archives of Photojournalist Vera Jackson

During the 1940s, Vera Jackson was the only woman on the staff of Los Angeles' oldest Black newspaper, The California Eagle. She later became a teacher, while continuing her work as a photojournalist for various media outlets.

Stanford Lab Uses AI to Remove Racially Restrictive Language from Santa Clara Property Deeds

According to the Stanford project, the County of Santa Clara has over 24 million deed documents dating back to 1850 that contain racist verbiage that restricts individuals of African and/or Asian descent from owning property.

Rutgers University Unveils Mural of Black Alumnus Paul Robeson

Robeson graduated from Rutgers University in 1919 as valedictorian and the only Black student of his class. The new mural, painted by Rutgers alumnus Alonzo Adams, is displayed behind the student section in Rutgers' football stadium
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