Visiting the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, circa 2000

On April 28, 2000, the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) approved UAB's proposal for a major in African American Studies, the first such program in the State of Alabama.  Dr. Horace Huntley (History) had in 1979 been the initial director of UAB's interdisciplinary, non-degree program.  Approval for the major came after a multi-year planning and implementation process spearheaded by Dr. Virginia Whatley Smith (English), director of the African American Studies Program until 1999, and by Dr. Adeniyi Coker (Theatre) who succeeded Smith as program director in the fall of 1999.  The new bachelor's degree in African American Studies would be awarded to the program's first graduate at the June 2001 commencement ceremony.  In this photo, Dr. Coker addresses UAB students during an educational visit to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

Image ID: UAB campus publication