Volume 3, I ssu e 4
February 2008
Things to Remember
Black History Bowl
February 18
Black History Fast Facts
6:00pm / PEN 106
Notable Firsts
*Phillis Wheatley was the first African
American to publish her own work (in
1773). The collection of poems were
entitled, Poems on Various Subjects,
Religious and Moral.
Ella Fitzgerald & Count Basie were
the first African-Americans to receive
Grammy Awards in 1958.
Booker T. Washington was the first
African American to be depicted on a
U.S. stamp (1940).
Ralph J. Bunche was the first African
American to receive a Nobel Peace
Prize (in 1950 for UN peacekeeping
efforts.)
The African Free School of New York
City was the first free school for African
Americans (1787).
*Nat King Cole was the first African
American to host a national television
program in 1956.
The African Methodist Episcopal
Church became the first national black
church in the U.S. in 1816.
Wilberforce University became the
nation’s first African American owned
and operated institution of higher learning in 1856.
Hiram Revels was the first African
American to serve in the U.S. Senate
in 1870.
Madame C. J. Walker was the first
self-made American (not just African
American) woman millionaire.
The first Negro History Week was
held in 1926.
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Inside this issue:
Thomas L. Jennings was the first African American to receive a patent for
his dry-cleaning process in 1821.
Alexander Lucius Twilight was the
first African American to graduate with
a Bachelor’s Degree in 1823
(Middlebury College).
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Shirley Chisholm was the first African
American woman elected to Congress
in 1968.
Alexa Irene Canady became the first
African American neurosurgeon in the
U.S. in 1981.
Guion Bluford was the first African
American astronaut to travel into space
(1983).
Robert L. Johnson was the first African American to become a billionaire.
Tiger Woods was the first African
American to win the Masters Golf
Championship (1997).
Photos courtesy images.google.com
Black History Fast
Facts
1
Inclusion Advisory
Committee
2
Washington vs.
DuBois
2
The History of Black
History Month
3
The Roots of Black
Publications
4
Pacer Spotlight: Prof.
Janie Key
5
Cultural Calendar
6
Famous Faces in
Black History
6
Volume 3, Issue 4
Page 2
USCA’s Newly-Formed
Inclusion Advisory Council
By: Deidre Martin
During the fall semester, Chancellor
Tom Hallman brought together a group
of community leaders to form USC
Aiken’s Inclusion Advisory Council.
The purpose of the Inclusion Advisory
Council is to provide guidance and
support for the improvement of USC
Aiken. Towards this end the Council
plans to:
•
“We are delighted to have the involvement of a strong group of community
leaders on the Inclusion Advisory
Council,” said Dr. Thomas L. Hallman,
USCA Chancellor. “I look forward to
working together with the Council and
the campus community to continue
striving to always be a campus that is
welcoming to faculty, staff and students from diverse backgrounds.
Establish a continuing relationship
between USC Aiken and the surround- The Council has four major commiting community for the enhancement tees as follows: Faculty/Staff Recruitment and Retention Committee, Stuand improvement of the University.
dent Recruitment and Retention Com• Seek to develop an inclusive and mittee, Scholarships and Fundraising
diversified environment addressing Committee, and Administration Comdiversity issues and acting as a mittee. For more information on getting
change agent and model for all univer- involved with the Council, contact Dr.
Deidre Martin at [email protected] or
sities.
803-641-3448.
• Provide support and guidance for
employing a diverse faculty and developing leaders to influence the university system and consistently model the
ideals of integrity and respect.
Photo Courtesy of images.google.com
The Mosaic Moment
The month of February is one of the
most organized and structured
months in the U.S. because it is when
African American History is celebrated. Probably the most recognized
cultural celebration in the U.S., Black
History Month is a 28, sometimes 29,
day long celebration of African American pride and accomplishment. Over
the years, since the month was designated for the celebration, Americans,
not just African Americans, have
made it their duty to overlook the lack
of days, and preserve an observance
that is not just a month long celebration but a year round celebration.
Kayla Butler
Mosaic Editor
In a year when situations such as
Jena 6 have evoked negative memories of the past, I still believe that race
does not divide society as much as
ignorance and fear.
Therefore, it is always my hope that
February’s remembrance and celebration of African American contributions to the world, teaches all of us
valuable lessons from the past and
gives us hope and strength for the
future.
Stacie L. Williams
Director, Intercultural Programs
Booker T. Washington vs. W.E.B. Du Bois
By: Jameka Jackson
Below are excerpts from an essay by one of our very own USCA students. The focus of the original essay was to compare the
ideas of two early African American figures whose intentions were to improve the black community. While both scholars wanted to
see improvement in the black community, they had contradictory views. They are as follows:
“Washington believed that the solution to the problem of
the color line was the commitment to agricultural and industrial education. He believed that with this commitment and
the development of a trade, Black people could begin to
compete ‘…as productive contributors to the southern
economy.’ Though this was so, Washington encouraged
Black people to not expect much from society but, instead,
to view them being allowed to work at all as a sign that they
were making progress. He further persuaded African
Americans to not fight society because they were being
denied their basic civil rights. He told them to continue to
work hard, and it would eventually pay off. He further encouraged them to avoid politics and to never challenge
white supremacy.”
“Du Bois devoted much of his time and effort to the advancement and equality of Black people, just as Washington did. He constructed may organizations, one being the
NAACP, to promote these ideas. Du Bois despised any
African American who would not stand up for the equality of
their people. To him, the problem could only be solved by
allowing Blacks to succeed in areas that whites could, in
hopes of bridging the gap of inequality. He emphasized the
importance of education, political, and civil rights for
Blacks. In fact, his three remedies for helping Black people
earn equality were through gaining and exercising political
power, fighting for civil rights, and obtaining a good education. This would promote equality.”
Mosaic
Page 3
The History of Black History Month
By: Kayla Butler
Many people are unaware of the true history of Black His- ment, which granted black voting rights, as well as the
tory Month, like why the month of February was chosen, founding of the National Association for the Advancement
who came up with the idea, and the real purpose behind of Colored People.
the establishment of a month to recognize influential African Americans in history.
It all started when Carter G. Woodson, an ambitious Harvard-trained historian, recognized the absence of notable
African American contributions and heritage in history
books. The scholar was quite disturbed to come across
history books that ignored the black population and only
included images of black inferiority in the population, so
he started taking the necessary steps to ensure that this
would not continue on into the future. First, he established
the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in
1915, which promoted scientific and scholarly study of the
black race. Woodson believed that by publishing scientific
history of blacks in journals like The Journal of Negro History would spark some start to a new outlook on the African-American race and its crucial role in the development
of America. By “writing blacks into history” in an affirmative
light, he could reverse the affects that others before had
created through their negative implications of blacks.
Along with his fellow fraternity brothers of Omega Psi Phi
Fraternity Incorporated, Woodson sponsored the Negro
History and Literature Week in 1924. In 1926, the event
was renamed Negro History Week, and during this time
the Association took the initiative to re-educate both
blacks and whites on the contributions of Black people
throughout American history, all the while boosting the
self-esteem of blacks. These festivities were held during
the second week of February for two main reasons: because it marked the birthdays of two men who greatly
influenced the black population. Those two men are Frederick Douglass, who was one of the greatest African
American leaders in American history, and Abraham Lincoln, who issued the Emancipation Proclamation that
moved our nation away from slavery. Some other significant events that occurred during the month were the birthday of W.E.B. DuBois, the ratification of the 15th Amend-
Even after the death of Woodson in 1950, the Association
continued to celebrate Negro History Week. They even
made efforts to designate more time to the celebration of
accomplishments by blacks by finally establishing Black
History Month in February 1976. Proclamations were
made all over the nation by Presidents and varying political parties, and for these reasons, Black History is still
celebrated today. Woodson’s belief that the history of African-Americans is American history was instilled in those
of his time and is an innate part of those who were born
after the establishment of Negro History Week.
It is important for people to understand that it is not a conspiracy that Black History Month is celebrated during February, the shortest month of the year. The real focus
should not be on the number of days in the month, but
rather on the significant events in Black history that occurred during the month. Not only that, the Association for
the Study of African American Life and History, as it is
know as today, believes that we don’t have to limit the
celebration of Black history to just 28 or 29 days out of the
year, but 365 days a year. After all, the idea that Carter G.
Woodson wanted to get instill in the population is that
Black history is a part of American history that can and
should be studied and recognized year around.
"When you control a man's thinking you do not have
to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell
him not to stand here or go yonder. He will find his
"proper place" and will stay in it. You do not need to
send him to the back door. He will go without being
told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one
for his special benefit. His education makes it necessary."
-- Dr. Carter G. Woodson,
"The Miseducation of the Negro"
Photos Courtesy images.google.com
Volume 3, Issue 4
Page 4
The Roots of Black Publications
and Successful Black Magazines of Today
By: Kayla Butler
As we look at the successful African American owned
and operated literary publications of today, it is first
important to examine the roots of African American
newspapers and magazines. The first Black newspaper was published on March 16, 1827 in New York
City. Two men by the names of Samuel Cornish and
John B. Russwurm served as the senior and junior
editors of the unique publication. Freedom’s Journal,
as it was named, aimed to provide international, national, and regional information on current events and
related issues like slavery, injustice, and political
rights. The editors tried to create a newspaper that
gave the Black population a voice in the United
States. They are quoted as publishing this statement
in the first issue of the newspaper: “We wish to plead
our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us.”
Not only did the newspaper aim to counteract racism
and broaden the readers’ image of the world, but it
also took measures to encourage Black achievement
by including stories of renowned black figures as well
as school, job, and housing listings. During the time
right after the abolition of slavery, the Black population needed a sense of reassurance and a boost of
confidence to succeed in a nation that sought to repatriate them, or send them back to Africa. Even
though the newspaper ceased to be published after
only two years and 103 issues, the path that it paved
was not ignored.
After Freedom’s Journal ceased to be published, over
40 other Black-owned and operated newspapers
were established across the United States. Presently,
Black publications are still prominent and circulating
in the United States. Four of today’s most notable
Black magazines include Essence, Ebony, Jet, and
Black Enterprise. Essence magazine, which was established in May of 1970, targets African American
women to promote independence, sophistication, and
professional success. It also offers advice on health,
beauty, and fitness. Ebony was established in November of 1945 and is the oldest and most successful magazine of its kind. It was created to give Blacks
a sense of self-respect by displaying the talent and
achievements of African Americans, thus breaking
down old stereotypes. Ebony’s sister magazine, Jet
also sought to provide quick news about Blacks in a
weekly, easy-to-read magazine. Lastly, Black Enterprise is a unique publication that provides business
tips for African Americans. It is a vehicle to help
Blacks on their way to sustaining a thriving business.
This magazine is the first of its kind and was created
when the founder saw that there were few successful
African American entrepreneurs, so his goal was to
change that.
Each of these publications just picks up where Freedom’s Journal left off, but with a more modern outlook on the world. Black history is marked with many
events that need to be published and preserved, so
publications like these are able to note these events
when they happen and also remind us of how far the
African American race has come.
Photos Courtesy of images.google.com
Mosaic
Page 5
Pacer Spotlight
Below is an articles on one of USCA’s elite faculty members, Professor Janie Key. Professor
Key was the campus’s first full time African American faculty member. After having an interview
with our executive editor, Ms. Stacie Williams, our readers can now get a glimpse into the life of
one of our very own figures in USCA Black History .
Black History at USCA: Professor Janie Key
By: Stacie Williams
Prof. Janie Key
sions and commitments in the community and to her family.
She locates her early beginnings in both the Bettis Academy
and Aiken area. Early memories of her childhood and her
mother, Janie Sweeney Hightower, were recounted with excitement in her voice. I could literally see and feel the impact
that early beginnings had had upon the Professor whom we
all have grown to respect. Professor Key shared that she
works hard to instill the life lessons learned from her mother
into her own daughter, Tosha, and into her students. Her
mother was the driving force to obtain postal delivery, have
phone lines laid, and establish a Christmas saving club in
their small town. These lessons taught Professor Key that
one person can make a difference and that you should do
what is right, not for a reward, but simply because it is the
right thing to do. She also learned the importance of paying
attention to fine detail and that there is an importance in everything that we do. She said, “I still live by those little lessons,
passed them on to my daughter and hope that she will one
day pass them on to her children as well.”
A living legend. A treasure. A pillar of USCA. All of these
phrases come to mind when I think of Janie Key, USCA Associate Professor of Math and Computer Sciences. Professor Key joined the USCA faculty in 1971. In 37 years, she
has experienced the close knit campus community which
began at Banksia and changes leading to USCA’s present
day growth. She remembers that “you really knew everyone
at Banksia. You actually knew everyone including the ad- Professor Key announced that she will be retiring at the end
ministration, faculty, staff and students. Today, the intimacy of this academic year. Exact plans have not been made for
how she plans to enjoy her days once leaving USCA. She
has changed, but that is a part of growth.”
notes that her initial plans, 37 years ago, were to work as an
University contributions made by Professor Key have gone mathematician at SRS, but she happened upon an amazing
far beyond her teaching in the classroom. She is a diversity and cherished opportunity in becoming a professor. Teaching
pioneer due to her being the first full time African American has been a fulfilling profession for her, having received the
faculty member at USCA. This experience brought new cul- USCA Outstanding Teaching Award twice in her career.
tural awareness to both her and her colleagues. One of her However, she says, she has no plans to teach in her next
memories entailed how her initial reception on campus was venue. But regardless of what she does she plans to conmet by another faculty member refusing to speak to her, tinue to live her life by a quote taught to her by her mother: “If
even though they met each day in the transition from his use a task is once begun, never leave it till it is done. Be my labor
of a classroom to hers. She stated that it took time, but even- great or small, do it well or not at all.”
tually, the fellow faculty member realized her permanence
EDUCATION & FUN FACTS
and eventually, unexpectedly, began to speak. She says that
Hampton University, Hampton ,VA, BS in Mathematics; Vanderbilt Unithis experience was one of learning to work with others and
versity, Nashville, TN, MS in Applied Mathematics; University of South
Carolina, Columbia, SC, MS in Computer Science
realizing that we are not really that different in our hopes and
aspirations.
Mt. Alpha Baptist Church (member, part-time organist); Wesley United
Methodist (associate member, part-time organist)
Additionally, she can be considered one of the forerunners of
Kappa Upsilon Omega (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. graduate chapStudent Activities at USCA. Through the strong connection
ter and charter and life member); Responsible for chartering of Mu
which has always existed between her and her students she
Lambda Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (first Greek letter organization at
USCA in 1978); USCA chapter of Order of Omega (charter member)
became the advisor and driver of the university’s first pep
squad and introduced Greek Life organizations to the camNAACP (life member); SCABSEE (charter member, database coordinapus.
tor)
In our conversation, I felt fortunate to also learn of her pas-
Married to high school sweetheart (Clifton); Father was a well-known
Baptist minister (Rev. W. H. Hightower); 15 year cancer survivor
Office of Intercultural Programs
University of South Carolina
Aiken
471 University Parkway, Box 4
Aiken SC 29801
Phone: 803-641-3412
Mosaic Staff
Stacie Williams
Executive Editor
Cultural Calendar
Feb. 18
Black History Quiz Bowl, PEN 106, 6:00 pm
Feb. 19
Intercultural Roundtable, H&SS 116, 12:15 pm
March 17-23
March 25
Women’s History Program, PEN 106, 7:00-9:00 pm
March 26
Journey to a Hate Free Millennium, B&E Gym, 7:00 pm
March 28 -29
Kayla Butler
Editor
Desmond Jones
Mosaic Logo Designer
Contributing Writers
Jameka Jackson
Deidre Martin
Stacie Williams
Intercultural Programs
Mission Statement
Greek Week
Invisible
Children,
Displacement
Event
“Honoring
Inspiring
The
The
Past,
Future”
IICP Office Staff wearing Black History Bowl Tshirts (Desmond Jones, Stacie Williams, Rico Hall; Kayla Butler)
You Should Recognize My Face
In support of the overall mission of USC Aiken and as part
of Student Life, the Office of
Intercultural Programs seeks
to foster a warm, welcoming,
and supportive environment
for the diverse members of the
campus community; to provide
minority student and international student support services
and programs that assist with
campus efforts to mirror the
retention, graduation, and
career placement rates of the
larger student population; to
work with various departments
and committees of the university to provide programs and
activities for the campus and
local community that encourage an awareness and appreciation of cross-cultural perspectives; and to help equip
members of the campus community with practical leadership and interpersonal skills to
prepare them for living and
working in an increasingly
multicultural society.
Photos Courtesy of images.google.edu