University Commission on History, Race, and A Way Forward

Welcome

The charge of the University Commission on History, Race, and a Way Forward is to explore, engage and teach the University’s history with race, and provide recommendations to the Chancellor on how we as a University community must reckon with the past. The Commission will focus on the following areas: archives, history and curation; curriculum development and teaching; and engagement, ethics and reckoning.

Universities Studying Slavery Conference

The University Commission on History, Race, and A Way Forward is hosting the Spring 2023 Universities Studying Slavery Conference from March 15-18, 2023. This gathering offers opportunities to learn from one another, share tools and resources, and advance the promise of reckoning and repair. Please join us to explore the ways that academic institutions and descendant communities are partnering to create just and equitable futures.

*UPDATED MEETING DATES* Chancellor's Committee to Review History & Race Commission resolution

This post shares the YouTube links for the scheduled meetings of this group. The committee was charged by the Chancellor in October 2021 and is currently working through the dossiers from the April resolution from the Commission on History, Race, and a Way Forward.

Unsung Founders Memorial Webinar Series

  • Revisit the Conversation from the first Webinar in the series

    The University Commission on History, Race, and a Way Forward hosted the first of two webinars in a series called “Unsung Founders Memorial: Past and Present” on October 18 from 7:00-8:30 P.M. The first webinar showcased a panel of those who participated in the original ideation of the gift from the Class of 2002. They shared their motivation for the memorial and explored community feedback beginning at the time of its conceptualization and dedication. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from the artist, Do Ho Suh. Stay tuned for information on how to sign up for the second webinar in this important series.

Letter to the Board of Trustees regarding Nikole Hannah-Jones

Resolution on the removal of names (April 2021, updated June 29, 2021)

This resolution was approved by the commission in April 2021 and updated in June 2021. It recommends that the names of the following men be removed from the buildings that afford them a place of honor on our campus: William Waightstill Avery, Kemp Plummer Battle, Robert Hall Bingham, John Washington Graham, Bryan Grimes Jr., Joseph Grégoire de Roulhac Hamilton, Cameron A. Morrison, James Johnston Pettigrew, Thomas Ruffin Jr., and Zebulon Baird Vance. Please note, this document contains racially offensive images and text.

Residence Hall Association (RHA) hosts Webinar on Black History

HRWF Co-chairs Jim Leloudis and Patricia Parker present on Black History at UNC and the work of the University Commission on History, Race, and a Way Forward. (February 18, 2021)

Resolution on the removal of names (July 2020)

This resolution was approved at the July 10 commission meeting. It contains information on the lives and work of Charles B. Aycock, Julian S. Carr, Josephus Daniels, Thomas Ruffin, and Thomas Ruffin Jr. Please note, this document contains racially offensive images and text.