Julian Bond Makes his transition to Ancestor/Angel, Leaving a Legacy for Us to Carry On

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:


It's taken me a few days to deal with the passing of Julian Bond.  What a great brother!  What a great Black Man!  What a Fine Black Man!  What a legend!  Julian definitely was a chip off the old Bond block, many would say.

SUAVE AS EVER, THE LATE GREAT JULIAN BOND AT THE NAACP 106TH NATIONAL CONVENTION JULY 2015

Julian Bond discussing the newly published book: BLACK LEADERS ON LEADERSHIP

He definitely had his dad's DNA for activism, leadership; making a critical difference in the world was his mantra.  And what a difference he made.  

I guess it would be easy to look up his record in Google - but I'm going to ask that you also check him out among the many Black writers and activists who had the honor and pleasure of working with this great Black man - and not get your history third hand.

Julian Bond and Gloria Dulan-Wilson at NAACP 106 Convention in Philadelphia, PA July 2015

There's far to much about Julian Bond of a personal and personable nature to be captured in an internet piece - or via a remote obituary.  There are people who worked side by side with this great brother who "could tell you stories about how he" stood up to racists, oppression, rumor, insinuation - and faced life threatening situations head on.  

By the time I actually met the great Julian Bond in the flesh, he was already a legend among the Black Power and Civil Rights Activists.  Of course, it didn't hurt that he was exceptionally handsome, articulate, knowledgeable, and charismatic.  It was all part of his legend, and charm.

But the fact that he was down to earth, cordial, generous, courageous - the stuff that heroes are made of, those are things that, if you're lucky and blessed, you have to experience for yourself.  And thanks be to God, I was blessed to do so.

I had peeked at Julian Bond at NAACP rallies, but didn't dare to get any closer than that.  He was a celebrity, surrounded by folks who hang with celebrities.  He was on an important mission, so I, who was still wet behind the ears, didn't have enough of significance to contribute to a conversation with him.

It wasn't until I had graduated from Lincoln University, where his Dad, the great Horace Mann Bond, had once been president; and was Director of Student Activities at City University of NY, that I actually first met Julian.  He was taping an interview with Ellis Haislip on WNET Chanel 13 - the first in a series of Black History programs.  I had found out he was taping, and had been invited by friend/producer, Marlayna Franklin, to "sit quietly and watch."  Which I did.  But I also brought my daughter, Kira, who at the time was two years old, so she could be exposed to Black History in the making.  And she was dutifully quiet as well.

After the taping, I got to shake his hand, tell him how much I admired him - I must have babbled on like a teenager - but this was my hero, Julian Bond - in the flesh!!!  (By the way, if I forgot to say it, "Thank you Marlayna!" I am forever grateful).  He couldn't help but notice that Kira had been there the entire time, but had not disrupted the taping, and complimented her for being so smart.  (Kira never remembers this, though I've told this story a million times).  He picked her up and gave her a hug.  As we were leaving the studios to head back to Harlem, he offered us a ride in the car that had been hired to pick him up, and dropped us off at my apartment on Morningside Ave., and 122nd Street.  

We talked about Black history, and it was then that he told me that he had been a Lincoln brat; that his nickname was "Stinky," and that he used to get into all kinds of fracas on the campus.  He expressed the fact that Lincoln would always be his home, even though his Dad moved to another university.  He complimented me on being one of the first coeds - and asked how I liked being surrounded by all those men.   The year was 1968.  I had graduated from Lincoln University in 1967. 

It was a memorable conversation - at least to me.  I don't know how much of it he retained, considering the full life he's led since then.  

My second encounter was while serving as counselor of the SEEK Program at Brooklyn College, in 1971.  Julian had been invited to speak at Brooklyn College, however, not by the African American students of the SEEK program, but by the administration - which happened to have been hostile to the Black students on the campus.  An issue of which I sure he was unaware.  They were trying to feign solidarity without actually practicing it.  In fact, none of the SEEK students were invited to hear him speak.  So I politely brought about 30 of them into the auditorium.  The administration could not eject them in front of Bond, so they let them stay.  After his speech, when they thought they were going to surround him, I managed to let it be known that I was in the audience, and he invited me to join them at the reception.  Of course they were none too pleased - especially since I rode in the limo with Julian, instead of taking a taxi and meeting them there.  I don't think they ever forgave me.  Oh well!

Those are the two stories upon which I hinge my friendship and reverence for Julian Bond.  Of course, from that point on, he rose in the ranks of the NAACP, and in the hearts and minds of millions of Black people world wide.  We ran in concentric circles.  There was always a warm greeting, and once in a while, an opportunity to catch up on events and issues.

When the NAACP celebrated it's 100th Anniversary in New York City, he engaged me in a conversation about how remarkable it was to be here to see this come to pass.  He looked younger than ever, and was as energetic as he had been Black in the day.  He was concerned, as always, about the participation of the youth in the future of the organization.  I was dazzled by the fact that he remembered me; as much as I was by the fact that he was still so vibrant and active.  



Our most recent, and last, encounter was just a scant 30 days ago at the NAACP's 106th  Convention, in Philadelphia, PA.  I was so happy to see him - and, as always, he was energetic, debonair, handsome.  I mentioned that we had known each other off and on for nearly fifty years, but I had never had a photo taken with him.  I was always taking photos of him.  He actually asked about my daughter - you could have knocked me over with a feather that he even remembered I had a daughter.  I responded that she was well, happily married with two handsome sons, living in Virginia.  I also told him she remembered nothing of his picking her up - but then, she was only two at the time.  

I mentioned that the Alumni Association of Lincoln University was considering a crowd fundraiser to renovate the Bond house and dedicate it as a welcome center in the name of his father, Horace Mann Bond.  He was so enthusiastic he asked me to keep him in the loop about the progress.  

His wife graciously took several shots of us together.  And since I didn't look any better than the first shot, and he was looking more and more youthful, I thanked her for being so gracious.  He invited me to a workshop he was holding at the exhibit hall, and a video that was being shown later that evening on Julius Rosenwald.  Of course I said "yes" to both, and then politely left him to his fan club that was beginning to line up behind me.   

Julian had participated in an impromptu panel discussion in the exhibit hall during the NAACP convention with two other panelists - most convention goers weren't even aware it was taking place.  It was so information rich, it should have been presented to a much wider audience; however it was a privilege to have been invited and involved.

The following is an excerpt from the last time I had the privilege of covering the great Julian Bond - it took place at the NAACP 106th National Convention, in Philadelphia, PA July 12, 2015 - 5:30PM:

Frankie Darcel of WDAS-FM hosted the event,  which featured two authors, Jean Love Kush, who wrote "ENDAGERED;" and Erick Boyle, Esq, who wrote "HOW TO DEAL WITH THE POLICE: A BLACK MAN'S SURVIVAL GUIDE," along with Julian and Phyllis Loeffler, who co-wrote a book entitled, "BLACKS IN LEADERSHIP."  And I'm sad to say that I didn't get an autographed copy.   

Phyllis Loeffler and Julian Bond were co-directors of a 15 year project at the University of Virginia, where they invited distinguished African American leaders to the University; conducted video taped aural interviews with them, and the book, BLACK LEADERS ON LEADERSHIP is a compilation of the 51 interviews.  

Julian stated, "The book really tells how these people became the people they are.  I know you've often seen some one that you admire, some figure that you think is great, someone you'd like to emulate; and you wonder how did this person - Johnny or Mary, or Susie or Frank, how did they get to be the person they are.  Well, we had the rare chance that few people have, to make these people sit down before a camera and answer our question: "HOW DID YOU BECOME THE PERSON THAT YOU ARE TODAY?"  And many of them opened up.  Many of them told things about themselves I think they probably wouldn't have told in other circumstances.  If you buy the book, you get a chance through electronic technology to find the things that they told us, to find out how they became the person they are," he concluded.  

On the subject of Black Lives Matter, Frankie Darcel asked, if they matter so much, why don't they matter to Black people.  To which Julian responded, "This was brought up yesterday, the issue of Black on Black crime in America; if we're killing ourselves, what right do we have to complain about other people killing us.  And I think she's absolutely right - that this is a condition that we need to take a hold of.  And I don't think we do as much about it as we ought to do, or could do; because we certainly -- I was reading about a person who was part of the gun lobby - she was a Black female.  But I was surprised to learn about it - when we actually need to have hundreds and hundreds lobbying to get guns out of our community.  Why am I surprised that she's doing it?  And I'm not sure I have an answer to that."

In response to the use of the "N" word a as an indication of systemic self hatred on the part of Blacks, and whether or not education and parental training would modify that behavior, Julian responded:  "It seems to me that what we're really talking about is individual responsibility for behavior.  And if we don't adopt some individual responsibility for behavior and the language - but the behavior primarily; I don't think we're going to get anyplace.  We're not going to progress."

Frankie Darcel really voiced what so many of us felt, when she stated in reference to Julian:  "And clearly, with the contributions that have lived a lifetime, and that have led the fight for all of us to be here, even today, thank you for being with us today, we applaud you for all of your commitments, leadership, civil rights, and what you've given us not only professionally, but what you've given us personally as well, please welcome, as he gives his closing comments, NAACP Chairman Emeritus, Mr. Julian Bond.  Please give him a warm welcome to be here.  Just the legacy of what you have accomplished - Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!  And our children's children's children thank you!"

Julian responded, "There are a couple of things I want to say.  I want to repeat what Phyllis said, that she has produced, and that I created, the interviews that are in the book; she created a guide that anyone can read, and find out what Joe, what Sue, what Sally, what Frank, what Billy - people whose names re more familiar than these, and find out why these people succeeded the way they did.  And there may be some models you can follow yourself; maybe some things you can learn yourself, how others behave, and how you can do the same.  I want to mention something to you that really may not seem to have much interest to people who are talking about how Black lives matter - tomorrow night, in this building, at 8:00PM, in the Convention  Center, in room 108, there will be a movie shown, called ROSENWALD.   How many of you know who Julius Rosenwald was?  (of course yours truly was one of six who raised her hand - that's because I posted an article on him in my blog in 2014).  How many of you know that Julius Rosenwald built 5,320 schools for Black children?  If you don't want to find out why a white man (actually he was Jewish) would build 5,000 schools for Black children, don't come to the movie.  I know you want to know now; you want to learn about it now, you're curious; so tomorrow night, eight o'clock, room 108 A & B; come see the movie.  You'll be crying, you'll be laughing; you'll have a good time."  

Subsequent to the panel, I spoke with Julian and informed him that I had done an article on Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald - and, on his request, sent him a personalized copy of the Blog Post.  

The absolute last time I saw him was at the screening of ROSENWALD.  He thanked me for the post, and for coming to review the video.  And I, of course, thanked him for continuing to be the great man and the guiding light he's always been.  Of course you know I got my parting hugs.

I would say rest well Julian, but this is a brother who is as tireless with the ancestors as he was with us, and he's probably coordinating things with his fellow Ancestor/Angels even as we speak.

My condolences to his wife Pamela, his brother James "Zeke" Bond, and his sister Jane, and his children; as well as to all who had the pleasure and privilege of serving and working with him through his illustrious career as a leader, activist, educator.  





-->

Lincoln University Puts Jennings on The Pike and Looks Forward to the Future

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson 

Hello All:

Monday, November 24 had me doing a happy dance - as the announcement I had been waiting for came across my computer screen:  "Jennings resigns from Lincoln University!"  Then I let out a Lincoln Roar! - a major cheer at the fact that we had been victorious in ridding our beloved Alma Mater of what has to have been one of the worst ersatz presidents ever to cross Lincoln's threshold.

It's been nearly three years since I said, "He's got to go!" to my fellow classmates - who agreed, but had initially hoped that things would get better once he caught the spirit of  Lincoln.  Well not only did that not happen, but his full effect was to destroy the spirit of Lincoln at every turn - from cancelling the time honored Alumni week, to expelling 300 students at the same time, to ignoring then changing the date of the celebration of Lincoln's 160th anniversary, to insulting the Alumni Association every chance he got.

STUDENTS WEAR DUCT TAPE OVER MOUTHS IN PROTEST - Carol Black Photographer

LU ALUMNI HOLD PROTEST BEFORE BOARD MEETING - Photo Courtesy Carol Black

Appeal after appeal was made to the Board of Trustees by the Alumni Association of Lincoln University (AALU), but to no avail.  It appeared that they were solidly behind him, stating that they had contracted with him to balance the budget and to re-organize Lincoln University so that it was more fiscally sound.  According to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Kimberly Lloyd, Jennings had met the contractual requirements.  But to the mind of the alumni, it was more a matter of the operation being a success, but the patient died.  Jennings was killing Lincoln University by inches and degrees.  

Things had begun to unravel when he was absent from Lincoln's traditional Homecoming events, which took place in October, 2014.  Demands for his dismissal from alumni who had previously been silent on the subject were flying back and forth across the internet.  The one event a sitting president (even an ersatz president) should never miss is Homecoming!

JENNINGS - GONE - Thank Goodness!!!

It had to be  Divine Intervention that a video of Jennings attempting to "counsel" female students on "false rape charges" and the "motives of men" was posted on YouTube, exposing him for the phoney he truly was.  YouTube did for us what no amount of meeting, cajoling, petitioning, summit conferences had been able to do over the past two years.  With a firestorm of controversy now inundating the TV, radio, newspapers; with outraged parents, feminists, and student groups now coming together to give us the back up we needed to bring the issue to a head, the Alumni gathered to sit in on a Board of Trustees Meeting which took place on November 15, saw the meeting so inundated with alumni coming from as far south as Florida, and as far north as New York.  So outraged was the Philadelphia community, State Representative W. Curtis Thomas completely changed his agenda to be present for the meeting.

GLORIA DULAN-WILSON HOLDS PROTEST SIGN - Carol Black Photographer

However, it appeared that instead of accommodating the alumni who had come in genuine concern for their alma mater, and moving the  meeting to a room that would allow all who had traveled to be able to listen, they continued to hold the meeting in a small conference room that only seated 30 alumni  -- with campus police barring entry to the rest of the nearly 100 who waited outside.  Rather than be discouraged, the alumni continued to wait outside and in smaller conference rooms during the entire 5 hours that the board held their business as usual agenda.  They made a canned statement at the beginning of the meeting stating that Jennings had fulfilled his contract, that they saw no problem in his performance - which got a rise of dissent from the audience. 

It was clear they were concerned about their alma mater, and were there to show solidarity with the faculty who had issued a vote of no confidence in Jennings, and the students who had been forbidden the same privilege - in fact students were walking around campus with duct tape on their mouths to show they had been gagged into silence. 

The upshot of the meeting was that the Board of Trustees declined to make a decision at that point, calling it a "personnel matter," with the decision being left to the various chairs.  We would, they said, receive an announcement of their decision "shortly."

STUDENT PROTEST SIGNS -After having been forbidden to render a vote of no confidence in Jennings
 Carol Black Photographer

CAMPUS POLICE BAR FACULTY FROM BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING Carol Black Photographer

We left Lincoln University that Saturday afternoon feeling as though we had been ignored and disrespected.  In fact, the 800 pound gorilla in the room at the Philadelphia Chapter of the AALU, which was held on Wednesday, November 19, was how long did we have to wait to end the dragging on with Jennings?  Why was it so obvious to the rest of the world, but not to the Board of Trustees that he was definitely not the right person for Lincoln University?  I somehow felt that our ancestors - Kwame Nkrumah, Nnamde Azikewe, Thurgood Marshall, Langston Hughes, Horace Mann Bond, Gil Scott-Heron and others were definitely not pleased with the way things were going. We had dropped the ball in their eyes.  They would never have allowed this to happen on their watch. 

With Thanksgiving coming up, many turned their minds toward getting ready for the holiday.  I, however, had just been blindsided by the announcement of the death of my friend, Marion Barry, and had been in a quasi funk from Sunday through that Monday.  When Jennings "resignation" appeared  on my computer, it was like a shot of adrenalin!  It was like God giving us all something to be thankful for indeed!!!

I came very close to singing "ding dong the witch is dead..." but refrained from doing so.  With emails and congratulations flying all over the place,  between myself, Bob Ingram, Carol Black, Kenny Poole, Darrell Braxton, Michael Taylor, Joe Reed, Vaughn Thomas and other alumni, we were burning up the internet - rejoicing over a hard fought victory.  Traditional Lincoln Rabble would say that Jennings had been told to "hit the Pike"(referring Baltimore Pike that runs past the campus).

I must give a special shout out to Melissa Harris-Perry - her coverage helped bring to the forefront what we had been trying to say for quite some time; as well as the Philly Tribune.  But I also want to thank Jennings - no matter how much he pretended to be progressive, his negative side continued to creep through - and he finally let it show in such an unmistakable manner, it was impossible to ignore or continue to condone. 

Congratulations to the students of Lincoln University - your show of unity harkens back to the original spirit upon which our school was founded.  Needless to say our Ancestor/lumni are proud of you indeed - you have found much favor in their eyes.

LINCOLN LIONS ROAR!!!!

Now on to the hard, but most important part - selecting a new president - one who is both professional, cultural, creative, dedicated to Lincoln, charismatic, honest, ethical, cordial, a  positive asset, and dedicated to the continuation of Lincoln University as a Black school (HBCU), not some watered down version of political expediency.  He or she doesn't have to walk on water - but probably has to come pretty close.  We've had some exemplary presidents in the past, and unfortunately, we've had some duds as well - and now that we know the difference, we are going to be very meticulous in making the next selection.

The AALU has already begun putting together a revamping agenda for the school, since Jennings has eviscerated so many essential programs, gotten rid of competent staff and replaced them with incompetent ones - like the "Interim VP of Academic Excellence" who replaced the original administrator.  Essential repairs to dormitories had been allowed to go begging to such an extent that they are now major renovation projects.   Alumni had been deprived of their time honored gathering that takes place annually during commencement - Alumni Week - which had been a tradition since the 1800's - and is on the top of the list of things to be restored in 2015.  The celebration of Lincoln's 160th Anniversary was never held (my pet peeve) - depriving us of the opportunity to celebrate that magnificent milestone in the fashion it truly deserved.  But one of the first things they mentioned was removing "The" from the Lincoln University title and logo, and going back to being "Lincoln University."  It was a pretentious artificiality that irked the alumni to no end. 

The laundry list of egregious acts against Lincoln on the part of Jennings adds up to systematic sabotage, which, had it been allowed to continue, would have destroyed the school.  With Valerie Harrison serving as interim president, until a permanent candidate can be identified, things are at least beginning to flow back to normalcy.  However, within that context, the AALU has vowed to be integrally involved in all future planning and direction of Lincoln University.  

It's been a hard fought victory, and a major lesson in how important it is to treasure, support and be involved in our Alma Mater - one we'll never forget as we move to Lincoln's next 160 years.

HAIL! HAIL! LINCOLN!!

Stay Blessed & 
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson LU '67




-->

DR. SHABAZZ Passes at age 87 - Peace Be Unto Him

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

DR. ABDULALIM ABDULLAH SHABAZZ May 22, 1927 to June 25, 2014

I had recently announced the passing of a good friend and Son of Lincoln, Dr. Abdulalim Shabazz.  I had had the pleasure of meeting him and getting to know him briefly during one of the Alumni Week reunions at Lincoln.

He was a walking fount of knowledge - not just a mathematical genius, and told me of many things that used to exist (or not exist, depending on the situation) when he was a student there.  He had the pleasure of being a student under LU President Horace Mann Bond, whom he greatly admired. I teased him about doing an autobiography - his adventures had taken him around the world, and had opened doors for him in places he said he would never have imagined.  He always credited Lincoln University for  being more than a college - more like a home, a launching point where the world knew no boundaries.

The Homegoing Service were held for our distinguished brother, servant of African people, Dr. Abdulalim Shabazz, Sunday, July 6, 2014, 1 p.m. at Masjid Muhammad,1519 NW 4th St. Washington, D.C.

 According to Wikipedia, Dr. Muhammad has been credited with having produced more mathematics doctorates among African Americans than any other educator!!

Abdulalim A. Shabazz was an African American Professor of Mathematics. He received the National Association of Mathematicians Distinguished Service Award for his years of mentoring and teaching excellence. President of the United States Bill Clinton awarded Shabazz with a National Mentor award in September 2000.

Shabazz was  born Lonnie Cross on May 22, 1927, in Bessemer, Alabama. In 1949, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry and mathematics from Lincoln University. Shabazz was appointed an Assistant Professor of Mathematics by Tuskegee Institute in 1956.

From 1957 until 1963, he served as chairman and Associate Professor of Mathematics at Clark Atlanta University.  Shabazz announced in 1961 that he was a member of the Nation of Islam (later he converted to Islam).

From 1975 until 1986, Shabazz taught in Chicago, Detroit, and in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.  In 1986, Shabazz returned to Clark Atlanta, where he served as chair from 1990 until 1995. Subsequently, Dr. Shabazz was happy to return to his Alma Mater, where from 1998 until 2000, he was Chairman of the Mathematics and Computer Science Department.  Unfortunately, his talents and reputation were not recognized by the current Lincoln Administrator of the time, and he subsequently curtailed his association with his alma mater after having been invited to become the endowed Mathematics Chair at Grambling State University in Florida.

Dr. Shabazz passed on June 25, 2014.  Peace Be Unto Him.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria 

-->

APRIL 29, 1854 - APRIL 29 2014 LINCOLN UNIVERSITY ACHIEVES MILESTONE 160TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
LU '67

Hello All:

I've been writing this article in my heart and mind for weeks, but so many things have intervened in my actually getting them into the blog.  

It is with great pride and honor that I celebrate my Alma Mater, Lincoln University - nestled in the wilds of Pennsylvania for some 160 years now.  According to official history:  "In 1854 Rev. John Miller Dickey, a Presbyterian minister, and his wife, Sarah Emlen Cresson, a Quaker, founded Ashmun Institute, later named Lincoln University. They named it after Jehudi Ashmun, a religious leader and social reformer. They founded the school for the education of African Americans, who had few opportunities for higher education. (Wikipedia)"  But according to other sources, it was established by white slave owners who wanted their Black male offspring to have a higher education and a better chance in life.  Once they graduated from Lincoln University, they could never return south, which was still laboring under slavery, but were to become men of influence among their people in the North.

Lincoln was established north of the Maryland/Pennsylvania State lines, outside the Macon/Dixon line, away from those who would have likely punished them for providing education for Black men, because during that time - prior to the Civil War, prior to President Lincoln's election, it was against the law to teach Black people to read and write.

In defiance of those heinous laws, Lincoln University --  which changed its name to Lincoln University form Ashmun Institute,  after the assassination of  the Great Emancipator, President Abraham Lincoln, in 1866 -- went way beyond just educating Black males - it established pride, values, courage, honor, integrity, and an abiding sense of brotherhood among its students.  Principles which stand to this day, despite the efforts of some to undermine and thwart them.  Many of the original buildings that were constructed in 1854 still stand today, a monument and testament to those who walked the hallowed halls of the campus.  {buildings by the way that also housed some pretty great contemporaries - and buildings that should have long ago been landmarked,  and are in the gunsights of contemporary administrators who know the cost of everything, and the value of nothing.  It's a serious bone of contention as we move forward - I seriously doubt that anyone would go to Harvard, Cornell, Columbia University, or any of the other Ivy League Colleges and determine to knock down one of the hallowed halls that grace their campus - but that's another story for another day}. 

I am proud to be a Lincoln University alumna - officially known as a Lincoln Lionness.  I am proud that I am part of the continuum that continues to give and give to Black people in particular, and the world in general.  I do not get tired of bragging about Lincoln.  And, yes, I know that some of you may be tired of hearing it.  But if you don't love where you come from, and lift it up before the world, who will?

Even with that said, I can't really say I "came" to Lincoln. It's more like Lincoln University saved my life.  I had been expelled from Hampton Institute for being too militant, and staging a sit in on the Administration - including then president Jerome "Brud" Holland - for not allowing us to participate in the march on Selma, Alabama.  It was so embarrassing, humiliating, and ignorant for a Black college to tell Black students that they could not participate in an event that was for and about Black people, that we decided to sit in on Hampton until they say it our way, and realized that we had the right and responsibility as Black students to stand up for our people.  Well, we won the battle - after three days, they finally acceded to our demands - including one, which said "no reprisals were to be taken against the demonstrators."  But in June, 1965, just after the commencement of the class of '65, we found ourselves locked our dorms, our bags and trunks had been packed, our parents had been called, and we had been expelled.  

If it had not been for Ja Jahannes, I just might have ended up still in Oklahoma City, OK, where my furious father vowed I would never, ever leave again as long as I lived.  Not something one wants to hear going into their Junior year in college - especially someone who had been part of the Civil Rights Movement since the age of 10.  But God is always working, and he worked through Ja, who had actually just graduated from Lincoln, himself, and could have been perfectly content to go his own way.  But when he heard what had happened to me, he took it upon himself to contact the registrar, Paul Kuehner, directly on my behalf.  School had already started - I was nearly a month late - but they called me and offered me a scholarship and financial aid.  It was at the time when  Lincoln had decided to go co-ed and I was the last female student admitted for the limited space on campus - I became one of the first sixteen coeds on a campus of 600 males!!! - Talk about heaven!!!  Talk about getting back double for your trouble!!  

Not only were these some of the Finest Black Men on the planet, they were also the smartest.  In order to qualify for Lincoln you had to have major brain and intelligence.  You had to be about it, because Lincoln University professors cut you no slack - and that went for the coeds as well as the guys.  I can honestly say that Lincoln University was the best thing that happened to me because there was a palpable pride in Blackness, there was a bond that still exists to this day among those of us who know that we stand on the shoulders of giants.   You may come to Lincoln not knowing who you were, but when you left you knew you were Black and you were proud and you know that no matter what your position or your title in life you had a mission to your people. 

Those who erroneously think that HBCU's are obsolete and no longer necessary need a reality check.  HBCU's are as important now as they were in the bad old days of Jim Crow, segregation, discrimination - in fact, those days are really still here.  And HBCU's not only give our Black students the academic excellence they require to succeed in society, they also are the continuity and keeper of our cultural imperatives that have undergirded us as a people through some of the most horrific times in human history.  I urge all Black students who were fortunate enough to have attended an HBCU to become actively and integrally involved with your alma mater, if you've not already done so.  Our Black schools are being deliberately targeted for extinction - through some very vile methods - that of hiring what we call "Trojan Horses" who look Black, but are being sent in by the meanstream to deliberately dismantle and water down the schools (Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn New York went through this for four years before finally being able to get rid of William Pollard, who was hired as an ersatz president - by the time he left, he hand cancelled contracts of key international faculty; cancelled contracts with Black vendors; dismantled key Black programs, and all but eviscerated 20 years of progress the school had been enjoying under previous president Edison O. Jackson.  If you see, hear, feel, smell, or taste anything like that happening in your school - do not take a "wait and see" attitude - you must act quickly - or you'll look up and find that your campus is targeted for condominium development for a group of people who do not look like you, or care who you are, or what you and your people have accomplished.  And even if you didn't attend a Black college, support one because it's a part of your people's heritage.  And note:  American will NEVER be "Post-Racial."  Try getting Jews to give up Yeshivas, or Caucasians to give up their "Ivy League" schools - we likewise should be supporting our own Black colleges and universities. 

Black in the day, Lincoln  was called the Black Princeton because it was so academically advanced. Lincoln has produced some of this nations greatest leaders, and precedent setting personalities  Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall; Poet extraordinare, Langston Hughes; Journalist/Activist/Newspaper Publisher Wilbert "Bill" Tatum (The NY Amsterdam News); the Dynamic Cab Calloway; Urban Activist/Poet/Performer Gil Scott-Heron as well as Brian Jackson and Ade Knowles (members of the Midnight Band); Randy Cane of the Delphonics; we gave Africa two Presidents - Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Nnamde Azikewe of Nigeria.  Founder of Crossroads Africa, James H. Robinson, Judge Bruce "Turn 'em Loose Bruce" Wright, Philadelphia Judge, Paul Dandridge; Author/Activist/Educator Sam Anderson, Author/Educator Ja A. Jahannes, Barrister Carol Black Esq., Educator/Activist/Philospher Anthony Monteiro; Maryland Statesman Michael Mitchell (part of the Baltimore Mitchell Dynasty - Parren and Clarence Mitchell), Activist/PhotoJournalist/Writer/Blogger/Speaker Gloria Dulan-Wilson;  Philadelphia State Representative Cherrelle Parker; Publisher Robert Ingram, Horace Mann Bond (Julian Bond's father), former president of Lincoln University as well as Clarke Atlanta College; Dr. Melvin B. Tolson (the Great Debaters); James Usry, First Black mayor of Atlantic City, NJ; the Great Bishop David Evans of Bethany Baptist Church (former Board of Trustee Chair) -  among many others.  Talk about walking in High Cotton!!!

Lincoln  has also attracted some of the finest minds to its threshhold, including Albert Einstein, who loved the school so much he left many of his papers and letters to LU as a legacy.  And art collector, Albert Barnes, who, as a result of his friendship and admiration for LU President Horace Mann Bond, left his considerable art collection to us - worth more than $2 Billion dollars.  (Something that must not have sat well with the white powers that be, because the machinated and manipulated until they were able to challenge his will and have the work removed to Philadelphia - it is stated that governor Edward Rendell "brokered a deal"  that made this happen - I can just imagine what went down with that one - and you see the results).   

Dr. Charles V. Hamilton - Legal Council for SNCC, Chair of the Political Science Department, and later head of Columbia University's International Politics division, was both my mentor and my idol (yes, you guessed it, I have a thing for Smart Fine Black Men).  SNCC used to have strategy meetings at the campus - wow,  sitting with Stokely Carmichael and H. Rapp Brown in person!!!  We were the only Black college to offer asylum to African refugees from non-independent African countries - such as South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia (Southwest Africa) Congo Brazzaville and Kinshasha, Zimbabwe (Rhodesia),  Angola and Mozambique - as well as attending classes with brothers from all over the continent of Africa - Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania (Tanganiyika and Madagascar), Senegal, Egypt, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea,  Liberia, Algeria, Guinea Bissau, Sudan, as well as the Caribbean - Bermuda, Barbados, Trinidad, the Bahamas, and Jamaica; one student from China, and several Jewish classmates as well. 

Lincoln was a magnate for leaders who came regularly to the campus to interact with the students - Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., John Oliver Killens, former Ghanaian President Jerry John Rawlings and his wife, First Lady Nana Rawlings received dual doctorates from the school.  Bill Cosby, during the heyday of the Cosby Show would routinely wear sweaters with Lincoln University's insignia on in - in fact, he sent his TV daughter, "Vanessa," to Lincoln - where she met "Dabness," the custodian.   Tom Mboya, minister for Economics and Finance of Kenya, whose brother, Peter Ndiege, was a Lincoln Student.  Actor/Playwright/Producer, Ron Milner - What the Winesellers Will Buy, etc.  Sir Sidney Portier had twin nephews who attended and graduated from Lincoln and went back to assume roles of leadership in the Grand Bahamas Islands.   Stokely Carmichael, co-founder of SNCC was a frequent guest speaker, as was the great Ruby Dee.  

Lincoln had its own African Museum, which would receive gifts from Presidents Nkrumah and Azikiwe; as well as from the families of the many African students who had graduated from there and wanted to give back. As part of my college Work/Study Program, I was assistant curator, and had the honor of classifying the artifacts from Africa, and writing thank you letters to the donors.  Two African languages,  Swahili and Yoruba, were taught at LU; as well as East and West African Ethnology, African History, African Cosmology were taught as part of Lincoln's curriculum.   We had the first Naturally 66 All Natural Grandassa Models grace our space at the famed Mary Dodd Brown Chapel - our ersatz auditorium; and was one of the first campuses to have Black women wearing natural hair styles.  Still have mine - from that day to this. 

Lincoln University is revered in many African countries where students who graduated from our University returned home to share what they learned with their own people.  Some likewise have served in official capacities in the United Nations, as well as in other positions of power. 

Lincoln has withstood threats from outside its gates via the KKK and other hate-generated organizations.  I know this for a fact because they threatened to burn the school down during the time I was a student, and had the temerity and the gall to erect a burning cross down the road from the campus on the Baltimore Pike!!  We students took it in stride, armed ourselves, told them to bring it, and patroled the campus lest one of them decide to make good their threat.  

Lincoln has also survived those insipid enough to come to the school under the guise of leadership, thinking it could sell our legacy for a few cute words and sheckles to the highest bidder.  Maintaining its stability and integrity for 160 years has definitely not been easy especially in this age of "post racial" and the browning of those who don't want to be Black.  It's both aggravating and amusing to see the lengths to which some will go to effect their agenda.  But we didn't get 160 years by sleepwalking. 

We are looking forward from this 29th Day of April and on into the future;  and are embarking on our first ever Lincoln Alumni Summit Conference - a gathering of the Alumni who have a love for and a stake in the continued success and future of Lincoln University.

It is set for this upcoming weekend, May 2nd through May 4, and will be held at the campus, despite the fact that there is a hostile administration currently in charge of the campus.  The upcoming summit, which is being coordinated by Lincoln Graduates across the board, age spectrum, career involvement, geographical location - because we know that Alumni are forever. And if the Alumni don't take an active, hands on interest and involvement with their alma mater, it is their fault if the school falters - and we want Lincoln to be part of the legacy of our children, their children, and their children's children.  

I guess somewhere in here I should mention that as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, I am especially proud of the large population of young sorors on the campus distinguishing themselves in so many areas - but I'm just not sure where to say it.  And I would also be remiss if I don't at least wink an eye to all the Lincoln Rabble who continue to move forward and make their contribution to society. 

As a blogger, I am constantly writing about things that impact the ECLECTICALLY BLACK COMMUNITY - and Lincoln has a significant role to play.  I know that there are a zillion stories about Lincoln University that can be told in so may wonderful ways by Lincoln grads - stories that have endeared you to the school and the school to you them.  I'd like to commemorate them in an ongoing blog about who we are and what we did and why we love Lincoln.  You can email me at gloriadulanwilson@gmail.com.  And if you didn't attend Lincoln, but have a relative who did, and you want to share their story, likewise, please contact me.

I urge all my Lincoln Alumni  brothers and sisters, (and those who know them, to pass this on to them) - Urge them to attend the Summit Conference this weekend.  

This is but a small  tribute from me to Lincoln University - the little college that roars - not roared, but roars - and continues to do so.  Lincoln is not just my school, it's our school - and as the great Ossie Davis once said - "If not Us, Who?  And if not NOW, WHEN?  We are the past, present and future of Lincoln University the Mighty Orange and Blue.  It's time to let the Lions and Lionesses ROAR!!!

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY'S LEGACY 160 YEARS AND GOING STRONG - CELEBRATE!!

HAIL! HAIL! LINCOLN!!
Stay Blessed &  
ECLECTICALLY BLACK 
Gloria www.gloriadulanwilson.blogspot.com/ECLECTICALLY BLACK NEWS

Below is the Tentative Schedule for this weekend, which will, no doubt, be of interest on so many levels to our classmates across the board:  For more information, go on FaceBook for LU Groups call:  215-888-7712 - Darrell Braxton, Coordinator and Convener. 

Friday, May 2, 2014

6:00PM to 8:00PM Registration

Lincoln University

Science Building Lobby

Concurrent Sessions:

7:00PM to 8:30PM Reunion Class Meetings

PRESENTER TBD

Science Building, Room TBD

Fraternity and Sorority Advisory Council

PRESENTER TBD

Science Building, Room TBD

9:00PM to 12AM Midnight Opening Reception

Hosted by the AALU Executive Committee, AALU Summit Committee and Class Reunion Representatives

Hilton Wilmington/Christiana

Saturday, May 3, 2014

7:00AM to 9:30AM Breakfast

Hilton Wilmington/Christiana or Own Your Own

8:0AM to 12:00PM Registration

Lincoln University

Science Building Lobby

8:30AM to 8:45AM About the Alumni Summit

Mr. Michael C. Taylor, Sr., Summit Chair

Science Building Auditorium

Introductions & Greetings

Mr. Robert Ingram, AALU President

Ms. Frances Paul, Class Reunion Chair

Science Building Auditorium

8:45AM to 9:15AM Presidential Remarks

Dr. Robert R. Jennings, University President

Science Building Auditorium

9:20AM to 10:15AM Opening Plenary Session

The Good, Not So Good, and the Not Not So Good About the AALU

AALU Executive Committee

Science Building Auditorium

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Concurrent Sessions:

10:30AM to 11:15AM Building Membership: One Member at a Time/Double The Members, Double The Fun

Mr. Robert Ingram, AALU President

Dr. Anne Davis, AALU Membership Chair

Science Building Auditorium

Effective Chapter Programming/Maintaining Chapter Sustainability

PRESENTER TBD

Science Building, Room TBD

Recruiting Students to Lincoln

Lincoln University Undergraduate Admissions Department

Science Building, Room TBD

11:30AM to 12:15PM Donating, Increasing the Alumni Giving Percentage, and Effective Communications

Ms. Cheryl Thomas, Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Ms. Rita Dibble, Director of Alumni Relations

Mr. Eric Webb, Director of Communications

Science Building Auditorium

12:30PM to 1:45PM Lunch & Keynote Address

Black Philanthropy: Time, Talent & Treasures

Dr. M. Starita Boyce Ansari

Student Union Building, 2^nd Floor

2:00PM to 2:45PM Panel Discussion: Alumni Association Sustainability (Guest Speakers: Representatives From Neighboring Alumni Associations)

PRESENTER TBD

Science Building Auditorium

2:50PM to 3:15PM Lincoln University Heritage Initiative (LUHI) Update

Ms. Carol Black, President of LUHI

Science Building Auditorium

3:20PM to 5:00PM AALU General Body Meeting Science Building Auditorium

7:00PM to 8:00PM Alumni Reception

Student Union Building, 1^st Floor

Saturday, May 3, 2014

8:00PM to 10:00PM Life Member Banquet and Awards Ceremony

Multipurpose Room, Student Union Building

Awardees:

All AALU Life Members

John Miller Dickey Service Award

Horace Mann Bond Award

Lion Legacy Award

Alumni Achievement Award

Alumni Trustee of the Year

AALU Chapter of the Year

AALU Chapter President of the Year

Alumni Faculty Person of the Year

Alumni Staff Person of the Year

10:00pm to 2:00AM Orange and Blue Party

Student Union Building, 1^st Floor

Sunday, May 4, 2014

7:00AM to 12:00PM Breakfast

Hilton Wilmington/Christiana or Own Your Own

Concurrent Sessions:

9:45AM to 10:45AM Chapter Presidents’ Caucus

Mr. Robert Ingram, AALU President

Science Building, Room TBD

IRS Chapter Filing Requirements & Treasurer’s Report

Mr. Darrell Braxton, AALU Treasurer

Mr. John Brisco, AALU Audit Committee Chair

Science Building, Room TBD

11:00AM to 12:00PM Conclusion: AALU President’s Closing Remarks

Mr. Robert Ingram, AALU President

Mr. Michael C. Taylor, Sr., Summit Chair

Science Building Auditorium

-->

Lincoln University Celebrates 160 Years - Sign our Heritage Initiative Petition & Save our Historical Structures

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

We are on the eve of the 160th Anniversary of The Lincoln University, in Lincoln University, PA.  That's right, it is the first Degree Granting HBCU in the USA - or anywhere for that matter - founded 11 years before the beginning of the Civil War, on April 29, 1854.   It was originally called Ashmun Hall, but was renamed Lincoln University in 1866, in honor of President Abraham Lincoln following his  assassination.

I just want to insert a quick note, for our brothers and sisters at Cheyney State University, who maintain Cheyney was the first College.  Cheyney was founded in 1837 as Institute for Colored Youth in Pennsulvania.  And it has the distinction of being the first of its kind.  However, it did not become a degree granting institution until 1914.  They are both great schools; and Pennsylvania has the distinction of being the state where the first two Black HBCU's were founded - you'd think they'd buy a clue and capitalize on this distinction, instead of trying to undermine these great institutes of learning. 

You hear me brag about Lincoln all the time.  It's my Alma Mater - along with such greats as Cab Calloway, Thurgood  Marshall (the Only Black Supreme Court Justice); Kwame Nkrumah, first President of Ghana; Nnamdi Azikewe, first President of Nigeria; Peter Ndiege, brother of Tom Mboya, Minister of Finance of Kenya; Langston Hughes, Judge Bruce Wright (a/ka/a Turn em loose Bruce); Gil Scott-Heron, Randy Cain of the Delphonics; Philadelphia Representative Cherrelle Parker; John Jay professor Dwight Murph; Temple University Professor Anthony Montiero; activist/author/professor Sam Anderson;  - but enough of the name dropping. 

Okay, just one more fact:  Lincoln University is the Only HBCU to have given Africa two Presidents:  Nkrumah and Azikewe.  And its' the college Philadelphia native Bill Cosby sent his TV daughter, Vanessa, to when she went away to school, on his award winning TV SitCom, The Cosby Show.

Lincoln University has nurtured some of the greatest Black minds on the planet.  And continues to do so, despite the fact that there has been a reduction in financial assistance via the State of  Pennyslvania. There are time honored traditions that has made it one of the most outstanding HBCUs in history.  Our Alumni Association is the first African American Alumni Association in the US, and dates back to 1872.  And while there are many who would try to say otherwise, the importance and viability of Lincoln University, and other HBUs throughout the US is more crucial and significant than ever before.

At issue is the fate of the original buildings on Lincoln University's campus that have been there pretty close to its inception.  As with any other college or university - Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Princeton - these structures are hallowed halls, and go to make up the character and history, the very nature of the environment itself.

It has come to our attention that there is a threat to demolish these buildings to make way for more "modern" edifices.  One building in particular, named for African Presidents Azikewe and Nkrumah, and the oldest structure on the campus, built in 1865, was announced to be scheduled for demolition!!!  Something that is unthinkable under any circumstance.

There historical structures on Lincoln's campus  should have long ago been part of the National Register of Historical Buildings.  Architects have studied the properties and identified the ones that have distinct historical relevance - however, as far as I'm concerned, none of the older buildings should be demolished - but I can't say the same for some of the newer ones that were constructed under substandard conditions.

We, the Alumni Association of Lincoln University are rallying to make sure  that these buildings are not to be demolished.  To that end we are circulating petitions, and would appreciate it if you would kindly sign it and return them to the email address below.  They will be presented to the State of Pennsylvania Historical and Landmarking society, and other entities to preserve these buildings, not just because they are a part of Lincoln University, but because they are a part of Our Black Heritage as a people.  It's part of the mosaic that we are still piecing together that tells the complete story of who we were, who we are, and how far we've come.

And while it's important for Alumni to sign this petition, we are not limiting the circulation to Alumni alone.  We are asking everybody who honors Black history, and who feels that our contribution as a people is just as viable, if not moreso, than any one else's in this country, to sign to send a clear signal that our history, our story has value and is to be preserved, honored and respected. 

Please read the following message, and sign the petition to Save and Preserve the Historical Buildings on the Campus of Lincoln University, PA.

Carol Black

New York alumni and Friends of Lincoln University, we are just a few signatures away from the goal of 10,000 signatures on the petitions to save Azkikwe-Nkrumah Hall and to tell the Board of Trustees to consider the alumni proposal to create a Lincoln University Historic District that will save all 15 historic buildings. So proud of all students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends who have signed. If you have not done so, please sign today to let them know that these buildings are monuments to all past, present and future students and far too valuable as part of Pennsylvania's history, African-American history and the nation's history to be destroyed. Let's go beyond goal by forwarding to family and friends! You’ll find the petitions on our website: http://www.luheritage.org/ God bless you all!

Lincoln University Heritage Initiative

www.luheritage.org

Save historic buildings at Lincoln University

  

Lincoln University Heritage Initiative

• Home
• About
• Sign our Petition
• Azikiwe-Nkrumah Hall
• Contact
• Links/Resources

Help save historic buildings at Lincoln University

Lincoln University Heritage Initiative (LUHI) are concerned alumni of Lincoln University of Pennsylvania in mission to save Azikiwe-Nkrumah Hall, Bond House, Cresson Hall and Houston Hall from imminent demolition.  In addition LUHI seeks to have all 15 historic buildings on the Southern Chester County, Pennsylvania campus recognized as the Lincoln University Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. Please help!

DONATE

Azikiwe-Nkrumah Hall, built in 1865, is the oldest building on the campus. It was built during the Civil War when the university was originally known as Ashmun Institute. Initially a residence for professors, the building later became the African Center and is currently used as campus security offices. It is named for two distinguished alumni, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe '30, the first president of Nigeria and Dr. Kwame Nkrumah '39, the first president of Ghana.  Lincoln University has the distinction of being the only Black College to have given Africa two Presidents. Houston Hall, built as a Seminary in 1881, is named for its benefactor, Henry Howard Houston, a prominent Philadelphia businessman and philanthropist.  The Seminary was the first Presbyterian Seminary in the United States to become completely integrated. After the Seminary was closed in 1959, the building was converted to a men's dormitory and received a new heating system, renovated bathrooms and a replaced roof. The building is currently vacant.

Bond House, built in 1891, is named for Dr. Horace Mann Bond, '23, the first African-American and alumni president of the university. Dr. Bond (father of the great activist Julian Bond, who was raised at Lincoln) was a leading sociologist who provided research for the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, is also the father of Julian Bond, noted civil rights leader.  Originally a residence for professors, the home was converted to a dormitory for women in 1971. The house has been vacant for several years. Cresson Hall, built in 1870, with funds secured from the Freedman's Bureau through the efforts of General O. O. Howard, then a trustee of the university, is the second oldest building on the campus. It is named for Sara Emlen Cresson, the wife of the founder of Lincoln University, Rev. Dr. John Miller Dickey. The entire building was used as a residence hall until 1965 when a Health Center was added. Cresson Hall became the first residence for women students in 1969. The building is currently vacant.

© 2013 LUHI, All Rights Reserved. West Grove, PA 19390 Thank you so much for your consideration, cooperation and support. Stay Blessed &  ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson www.gloriadulanwilson.blogspot.com

Home       About        Contact        Sign Our Petition

-->