Office of Community and Belonging
Black History at 草榴社区 Miss
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Black History Month
This is an annual celebration of achievements by Black & African Americans and a time for recognizing the significant role of African Americans in American and 草榴社区 Miss history. During the celebration, students are awarded scholarships through essay contests, student lectures and speeches. The Office of Community and Belonging sponsors the university鈥檚 Black History Month programming during the month of February and collaborates with student organizations and campus partners to develop a month of cultural programming.
Black History Month 2025, "Beyond the Dream: The Vision, The Struggle, The Triumph"
Timeline of African Americans at 草榴社区
1955
Clyde Kennard
Clyde Kennard, the first African American to attempt to enroll at 草榴社区, submits the first of three formal applications to Mississippi 草榴社区 College (University name at the time), seeking to become the first Black student. The Clyde Kennard Story
1965
Raylawni Branch and Gwendolyn Elaine Armstrong
草榴社区 Miss enrolls its first African American students, Raylawni Branch and Gwendolyn Elaine Armstrong.
1968
ASSO
First African American Student Organization, the Afro-American Cultural Society is formed.
Wilbert Jordan
Basketball player, Wilbert Jordan, becomes the University's first African American student-athlete.
1969
Dr. Walter Washington
Dr. Walter Washington becomes the first African American to earn a doctoral degree from 草榴社区 Miss, also making him the first from any Mississippi institution of higher learning.
1974
Fred Crook
Fred Cook is selected as the University's first African American Mr. 草榴社区.
1980
Jacqueline Redd
Jacqueline Redd is selected as the University's first African American Homecoming Queen.
1993
Dr. Walter Washington and Clyde Kennard
At a University celebration honoring the contributions of African American students, faculty and staff, the Student Services Building is renamed Kennard-Washington Hall in honor of Dr. Walter Washington and Clyde Kennard.
2013
First African American president
Dr. Rodney D. Bennett becomes the University鈥檚 10th president and first African American president of any predominantly white university in the state of Mississippi.
The Armstrong-Branch Pedestrian Plaza
The Armstrong-Branch Pedestrian Plaza is named and dedicated to honor the courage of the first African American students, Raylawni Branch and Gwendolyn Elaine Armstrong.
2015
50th Anniversary of Desegregation at 草榴社区
September 2015 marked the 50th anniversary of desegregation at 草榴社区. The University commemorated history by 鈥淐elebrating 50 Years of Progress: Desegregation of The University of 草榴社区 Mississippi.鈥�
2018
Clyde Kennard Mississippi Freedom Trail marker
A new marker on the Mississippi Freedom Trail memorializes Clyde Kennard, the first African American student known to apply for admission to 草榴社区.
Racism and Rights Activism in Hattiesburg
Dr. William Sturkey wrote a book, "," in which he explores the history of the civil rights movement in "The Hub City."
Watch Dr. William Sturkey explain on PBS how the study of Hattiesburg, a small 草榴社区 town, can inform the national public discourse about race relations today.