National Council For Black Studies
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National Council for Black Studies (NCBS) is an organization dedicated to the advancement of the field of Africana/African American/Black Studies. It is a not-for-profit organization established in 1975. The National Council for Black Studies was founded by Dr. Bertha Maxwell-Roddey, the founding director of the Black Studies/Afro-American and African Studies Program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.


History

Within the context of the
Civil Rights Movement The civil rights movement was a nonviolent social and political movement and campaign from 1954 to 1968 in the United States to abolish legalized institutional Racial segregation in the United States, racial segregation, Racial discrimination ...
, a growing recognition of the need for the study of African-American world experience spurred student movements on several campuses for inclusive educations. The Black Studies movement (1968–1969) and the Black University concept (late-1960s) helped create more African and African diaspora-centered courses on various campuses. In April 1968, a national conference for Black teachers took place. Bertha Maxwell-Roddey spearheaded NCBS in 1975 as part of this larger movement for African American studies. However, before its inception, Maxwell-Roddey's pioneering work at UNC Charlotte included a Black Studies program that served as the inspiration and backdrop for the NCBS's structure, philosophy, and aims, in addition to the meetings and conferences that Dr. Maxwell-Roddey organized.


UNC Charlotte

Maxwell-Roddey realized the need for Black Studies education at UNC Charlotte and the Black Studies program at UNC Charlotte was integral to the creation of NCBS. Dr. Maxwell Roddey was the second black full-time professor at
UNC Charlotte The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte or simply Charlotte) is a public research university in Charlotte, North Carolina. UNC Charlotte offers 24 doctoral, 66 master's, and 79 bachelor's degree programs through nine colle ...
and also a co-founder of the Afro-American Cultural Center in North Carolina, now the
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture Harvey, Harveys or Harvey's may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Harvey (play), ''Harvey'' (play), a 1944 play by Mary Chase about a man befriended by an invisible anthropomorphic rabbit * Harvey Awards ("Harveys"), one of the most imp ...
. She was also the national president of the
Delta Sigma Theta Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. () is a historically African American sorority. The organization was founded by college-educated women dedicated to public service with an emphasis on programs that assist the African American community. Delta ...
sorority from 1992 to 1996. The Black Studies program at
UNC Charlotte The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte or simply Charlotte) is a public research university in Charlotte, North Carolina. UNC Charlotte offers 24 doctoral, 66 master's, and 79 bachelor's degree programs through nine colle ...
was conceptualized to address the "academic, intellectual, social, and economic life of the Black student." This was realized through a series of phases, which were levels of academic courses through which students would complete; they are as follows: * Phase I: Who Am I? * Phase II: Why Am I Here? * Phase III: Where Did I Come From? * Phase IV: Where Do I Go From Here? Each phase included community service projects and the higher levels or phases also included research projects while the lower levels or phases were intro-level or survey classes concerning African American history and other disciplines. The Black Studies committee envisioned the program to both benefit the community and work in tandem with the entire university through an interdisciplinary approach.Black Studies at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, ''Black Studies Brochure'' (Charlotte, North Carolina: UNC Charlotte, 1975-1976). Currently housed in the collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Several organizations were affiliated with UNC Charlotte's Black Studies program including: the Black Student Union, Black Gospel Choir, Basketball, Student Government, and various Black and historical Black sororities and fraternities.


Early History of NCBS

The initial philosophy of the Council was that "Education should engender both academic excellence and social responsibility." The NCBS desired to expand and strengthen academic units and community programs concerned with African American studies. It originally operated as an organization for Black Studies professionals with the aim of developing the field as a respected academic discipline.


Mission & Philosophy

Members of NCBS are committed to the proliferation of the field of Africana Studies. Their work has promoted and retained K-12, community college, and university curricula inclusive to the experience and contributions of African diaspora peoples and other marginalized peoples. NCBS actively: * Facilitates, through consultation and other services, the recruitment of Black Scholars for all levels of teaching and research in universities and colleges; * Assists in the creation and implementation of multicultural education programs and materials for K-12 schools and higher education institutions; * Promotes scholarly African-centered research on all aspects of the African World experience; * Increases and improves informational resources on Pan-African life and culture to be made available to the general public; * Provides professional advice to policymakers in education, government and community development; * Maintains international linkages among Africana Studies scholars; and * Works for the empowerment of African People.


Current efforts

The California Bill ACR-71 Africana studies programs led to success with the efforts of former NCBS member and president
Shirley Weber Shirley Weber (née Nash; born September 20, 1948) is an American academic and politician serving as the secretary of state of California. She was previously a member of the California State Assembly for the 79th Assembly District, which include ...
. Current NCBS board member and department chair of the Africana Studies program at California State University at Long Beach,
Maulana Karenga Maulana Ndabezitha Karenga (born Ronald McKinley Everett, July 14, 1941), previously known as Ron Karenga, is an American activist, author, and professor of Africana studies, best known as the creator of the pan-African and African-American holi ...
is the founder of the Pan-African holiday
Kwanzaa Kwanzaa () is an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called ''Karamu'', usually on the sixth day. It was created by activist Maulana Karenga, based on African harvest ...
. NCBS also has a community grant available for members to apply for. The funding has helped new leaders and scholars bring African Studies to various communities. NCBS is currently housed at The University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio, with its previous base in Atlanta, Georgia.


References


External links


Official websiteNCBS Vision and Mission StatementAfricana Studies Department at University of North Carolina at Charlotte
{{authority control African studies Academic organizations based in the United States 1975 establishments in the United States Organizations established in 1975 Organizations based in Atlanta Black studies organizations