The Association of Black Students is an organization with a rich, powerful history that all of its members should have the opportunity to know.
The first class of African-Americans was admitted in 1952. Unfortunately, this was a veiled and failed attempt at equality; Black students faced discrimination from all spheres. This all changed in 1967, with the formation of the Association of Black Students (the Association of Black Collegiates at the time). With the Black Manifesto of 1968, Black leaders presented Washington University leadership with a list of expectations of equality and acknowledgment. Among these expectations was the institution of a Black Studies program, a demand for an increase in the admittance of qualified Black students, and sufficient financial support for those admitted. I am happy to say that all of these expectations were well met and laid the foundation for the thriving academic and social Black community here at Washington University today. Forty-four years ago, students fought for our right to have the opportunities we have now. We encourage you to get involved in the University community.
1892: Termination of admission of African Americans due to Jim Crow attitudes of small
number of white students who protested their inclusion on a school trip
1949: The Student Committee for the Admission of Negroes (SCAN) formed to lobby for full
admission of African Americans; the Chancellor and Board opened all graduate divisions
to black applicants
1952: The first class of African-American students admitted to the college
1968: Black Manifesto published; Association of Black Students (originally Association of Black Collegiates) formed
1969: African and AfroAmerican Studies Program (originally Black Studies) formed; renamed AFAS 1986
1978: Re-evaluation of Black Manifesto
1983: ABS president Clarence Robie succeeds in getting a student seat on the Board of Trustees, a first for any student group.
1986: President Stephanie Lewis makes Board of Trustees seat permanent, also a first for any student group.
1987: Political affairs chair leads action against Washington University supporting Apartheid in South Africa.
1988: Kevin Foster initiates analysis of Admissions processes regarding minority students.
1992 Gerald Early becomes chairof AFAS. Aaron Grier lends series of meetings in protest to the fact that the chairs of the program consistently being people with no background in African or African American Studies.
1997/8 Celebrated 30th Anniversary. This year ABS reviewed the Black Manifesto once again and formed a committee of members to come up with a way to address the concerns that were still relevant 30 years later. The document created is the Action Proposal. There was a ceremonial march on Brookings and the Action Proposal was presented to Chancellor Wrighton.
ABS 2004-2005
Fall 2004: ABS raised over $900 for the Give Thanks, Give Back community service program.
We also established networks with other STL schools including Harris Stowe State University, Saint Louis University, and Webster University.
ABS celebrated Black History Month with a full calander of events
First Ever ABS African and African American Studies Professors’ Appreciation Day
First Annual Rumble on the Swamp- ABS v. BSA tackle football game.
First Annual ABS Celebrations Weekend Panel and Brunch
2006
2007
2008