F&M Black History Timeline

1946 - Sumner Bohee ‘50 is the first African American student admitted.

1948 - Fanasi Mgbako '51 (Nigeria) is the first African student admitted.

1950 - Sumner Bohee '50 is the first African American graduate. 

1951 - Fanasi Mgbako ‘51 (Nigeria) is the first African graduate.

1963 - William H. Gray III '63 graduates from F&M.
- Martin Luther King Jr. visits F&M.

1964 - Professor Samuel Allen is the first African American faculty member (Russian History).

1966 - Professor Adebisi Otudeko (Nigeria) is the first African faculty member (Anthropology).

1967 - The Afro-American Society is formed.

1969 - Professor Samuel Allen is the first African American faculty member awarded tenure (Russian History).
 - Student protest during final examination of  "Interdepartmental-4: The Black Experience in America."



Professor Samuel Allen is the first African American faculty member hired by F&M, and the first African American faculty member to receive tenure in 1969.

1986 - William H. Gray III '63 is the first African American to serve as Commencement speaker.

1987 - The Henry Wiggins Jr., M.D., '55 scholarship is established.

1988 - William H. Gray III '63 serves as speaker at the Inauguration of President Richard Kneedler.

1989 - The African American Alumni Council is founded.

1990 - The William H. Gray Jr. scholarship program is established.

1992 - Student protest to establish an Africana Studies program is held on campus. 

1993 - H. Art Taylor '80 is awarded with the Volunteer of the Year Award.

1994 - The Africana Studies program is established (minor offered).

- The African American Alumni Graduation program is established.

1995 - Donnell Butler ’95 is the first African American to win the Williamson Award.

1999 - The Africana Studies major is approved.

2001 - Carla Willard is the first African American woman faculty member awarded tenure (American Studies).*

- Eiman O. Zein-Elabdin is the first African woman faculty member awarded tenure (Economics).* 

2004 - Intelligent Men-of-Color Purposefully Accomplishing College Together (IMPACT) is founded.

2005 - Sophisticated Intelligent Sisters Teaching Excellence Responsibility and Success (S.I.S.T.E.R.S) is founded.

- Henry Wiggins Jr., M.D., '55, P'91 is awarded the Presidential Medal. 

- Wanda Pompey Austin, Ph.D., ‘75 is honored with an Alumni Citation.

2006 - Establishment of African and Caribbean Association

2007 - Pierre Ankomah (Ghana) is the first African to win the Williamson Award.

2008 - Kalasia Daniels ’09 and Shawn Jenkins ’10 were part of the task force that formed Diplomatic Congress.

2011 - Daniel G. Lugo is the first African American vice president hired (Admissions).

-  Cass Cliatt is the first African American woman vice president hired (College Communications).

-  Performing Identities was the first production at the College written, directed and performed entirely by African Americans.

- Sydney N. Bridgett '51 is awarded the Nevonian Medal.

2012 - The Sydney Bridgett ’51 Awards are established.

2014 - Coming Back and Looking Forward: Celebrating 25 Years of the African American Alumni Council

- The 20th Anniversary of the African American Alumni Council Graduation Breakfast.

- Shadoe G. Tarver ’10 is awarded the GOLD Alumni Award.

2015 - Donnell Bailey ’17 becomes the first African-American student to serve as president of Diplomatic Congress and the student body.

2017 - Dr. Wanda Austin '75 is the first African American woman to serve as Commencement speaker.

- The African and Caribbean Association is revitalized.

- The first Divine Nine Greek Organization at F&M is Established - Delta Sigma Theta

- Shakeyla Flores ’18 becomes the first Afro-Latina student to be elected president of Diplomatic Congress and the student body.

- Nadia Johnson ’17 and Donnell Bailey ’17 voted Mr. and Mrs. F&M. 2017