In 1899, Oscar W. Baker Sr. was accepted into the University of Michigan Law School, becoming the 100th African American student to attend U-M. After graduation, Baker would make remarkable contributions and achievements working for racial and social justice. The Bentley’s new African American Student Project helps fill in some of the information about this exceptional alum.
notable alumni
Following the Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954, southern states offered African American students scholarships to earn graduate degrees at out-of-state (northern) schools — likely to avoid integrating their own academic institutions. Despite later being deemed illegal, the scholarships still continued.
black history at u-m
A homecoming queen turned activist is being honored with a scholarship fund.
black history at u-m
Rare photos offer a glimpse into early campus life for Black students, expanding research avenues for the Bentley Historical Library’s African American Student Project.
black history at u-m
U-M’s Bentley Historical Library is using old photographs, registration cards, and other records in an effort to document and understand the Black experience at the University.
black history at u-m
In 1911, Cornelius L. Henderson became the second African American to earn an engineering degree from U-M. He was a pioneering steel engineer and architect who helped construct two of the major Great Lakes crossings between the United States and Canada.
African Americans at Michigan