Before the Black Action Movement: The U-M African American Student Project, Washtenaw County’s Black Communities, and the Struggle for Inclusion

A distinguished panel of U-M African American alumni, and representatives of the African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County (AACHM) and the Bentley Historical Library, will discuss the African American presence in Washtenaw County prior to 1970.

After the panel discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to discover more and interact with the sponsors about their various projects pertaining to the topic.

Program

Welcome & Introduction

• Angela D. Dillard
  Chair, Department of History

Overview of African American Student Project

• Brian A. Williams
  Assistant Director and Archivist for University History, Bentley Historical Library

Panel Introduction and Moderator

• Matthew Countryman
  Chair, Department of Afroamerican and African Studies; Member, Black Washtenaw County Humanities Collaboratory

Panel Discussion

• Lauretta Flowers (U-M Alum)
  Teacher, Ann Arbor Public Schools (Retired)

• Joyce Hunter
  President/CEO, African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County

• Elizabeth James (U-M Alum)
  Program Associate, Department of Afroamerican and African Studies

• Alma Wheeler Smith (U-M Alum)
  Michigan State Representative (2005–2010), Michigan State Senator (1995–2002)

Closing Words

• John Carson
  Director, Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies