As we conclude Black History Month, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight several recent oral history interviews that have been added into the Expanded Wake Voices Inclusive Student Life oral history project. I have had the privilege of interviewing four alumni and one current student, each of whom shared their unique experiences as Black students at Wake Forest. Though each account is unique and holds personal significance, they collectively convey themes of community building, perseverance, and preparedness.

My key takeaways and insights are detailed below:

My initial interview was conducted with Aubrey Martin (’80) and Phil Stewart (’80), stemming from an interest in exploring and highlighting the contributions of Black Greek organizations on our campus. Martin, a native of Columbia, SC, and Stewart, hailing from Baltimore, MD, played a pivotal role in chartering a chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at Wake Forest in 1979. During the interview, they provided valuable insights into their early impressions of the campus community. The collaborative nature of their interviewing led to an engaging and a candid exchange of thoughts. They reflected on the campus environment prior to the establishment of the Office of Minority Affairs in 1978, which evolved into the Intercultural Center in 2015. I found it particularly compelling when Stewart shared the story of his father becoming the first Black medical student at the University of Maryland. The duo elaborated on the steps taken to establish their chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. on Wake’s campus and the conversation also touched upon the interactions among Black students at Wake Forest and their connections with students from Winston-Salem State University (WSSU).

I also interviewed Clement Brown, a 1973 graduate of Wake Forest. Brown discussed the experience of navigating academics and social life as a Black student at Wake Forest. The youngest of eight children, Brown talked about his older siblings, his parents, and why he decided to attend Wake Forest. Brown also recognized Professor Harold Tedford as one of the influential faculty members who supported and encouraged him during his time at Wake. Another bit of information that really resonated with me, was when Brown discussed the almost-familial like relationships that developed between Black service staff and Black students Wake. *I do have to mention that there were some audio issues during this interview, but the content was still amazing.

Last Spring, I had the pleasure of interviewing graduate school alumna, Nadia Marie Johnson. Johnson, a native of Augusta, Georgia, received an undergraduate degree from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, before completing a master’s program in Communication Studies at Wake Forest University. Johnson’s perspective is particularly interesting, as she received her undergraduate education at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and subsequently chose to further her studies at Wake Forest. We discussed the differences in the social and academic environments, as well as the wealth of academic and professional resources available at Wake Forest. During her time at both Johnson C. Smith and Wake Forest, Johnson actively worked to establish student service organizations that advocated for mental wellness and network building. You can learn more about her efforts and their impact from her interview.

My most recent interview took place last fall with current WFU undergraduate student Beza Zelalem (’26). Zelalem, a native of Charlotte, who has strong interests in environmental justice and sustainability. As a major in the newly established Department of African American Studies, Zelalem advocated for and spoke highly of the program. She also shared insights from her role as a staff writer for The Old Gold and Black (OGB). Last spring, she authored an op-ed entitled “Wake Forest must grant communities of color proper space,” in which she addressed concerns raised by her peers regarding the lack of safe social spaces for students of color. The article garnered a mix of support and intense criticism. While my intentions were to discuss the article, I also wanted to prioritize her level of comfort so we did briefly explore the articles impact, but ultimately, how a close network of trusted faculty and friends were able to provide support during the ensuing response.

It is a goal of Special Collections to actively promote, and document the diverse narratives and experiences of individuals associated with Wake Forest’s history, both past and present. To learn more about these individuals and what they have been able to accomplish after graduating from Wake Forest, I encourage you to visit the Special Collections website and experience these interviews and unique perspectives in addition to the other interviews in the Expanding Voices collection. SCA’s ongoing initiatives in broadening documentation and collecting areas aim to validate the experiences of all communities as well as provide valuable insights for learning and instruction to users of our collections.